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JOSEPH PRIESTLEY- TO THE YEAR 1795. a WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. ee WITH A CONTINUATION, | TO THE TIME OF HIS DECEASE. = : BY HIS SON, JOSEPH PRIESTLEY. a ‘ LONDON: - REPRINTED FROM THE AMERICAN EDITION, BY THE SEVERAL UNITARIAN SOCIETIES IN ENGLAND: AND SOLD BY JOSEPH JOHNSON, ST. PAUL’S CHURCH-YARD, 1809, ‘ a VIPS E 2 : CRT T, . Mg Perit & yy ay tress ¥ : A ee ee a : ) ’ a Ps - se Ay i t Cryst a ‘ : Way Winget ye eh Pend Vice die eer ad ‘bipdees th OT ori cenaek Spar ty eas bit: soni caieatine aaa PREFACE. — MY father, Dr. Priestley, having taken the trouble of writing down the principal occurrences of his life, to the period of his arrival in this country, that account is now presented to the public in the state in which he left it, one or two tri- fling alterations excepted. The simple unaffected manner in which it is written, will be deemed, I have no doubt, far more interesting, than if the narrative itself had been made the text of a more laboured composition. Independently of the desire, so univer- sal among mankind, to know somewhat of the private as well as the public his- tory of those who have made themselves eminent among their fellow citizens, the life of my father is likely to be more use- ful as well as more interesting, than those of the generality of literary men; not only as it is an account of great indus- try combined with great abilities, suc- cessfully exerted for the extension of human improvement, but because it af- fords a striking proof of the value of tational Christianity, adopted upon ma- ~ li PREFACE. ture reflection, and practised with habi- tual perseverance. Few men have had to struggle for so many years with circumstances more straitened and precarious than my fa- ther; few men have ventured to attack so many or such inveterate prejudices respecting the prevalent religion of his country, or have advanced bolder or more important opinions in opposition to the courtly politics of the powers that be; few have had to encounter moré able op- ponents in his literary career, or have been exposed to such incessant and vin- dictive obloquy, from men of every de- scription, in return for his unremitting exertions in the cause of truth; yet none have more uniformly proceeded with a single eye, regardless of consequences, to act as his conviction impelled him, and his conscience dictated. His con- duct brought with it its own reward, re- putation, and respect, from the most eminent of his contemporaries, the af- fectionate attachment of most valuable friends, and a cheerfulness of disposition arising in part from conscious rectitude which no misfortunes could long repress. But to me it seems, that conscious recti- tude alone would hardly of itself have been able to support him under some of the afflictions he was doomed to bvar. PREFACE. iit He had a farther resource, to him never failing and invaluable, a firm persuasion of the benevolence of the Almighty to- wards all his creatures, and the convic- tion that every part of his own life, like every part of the whole system, was pre- ordained for the best upon the whole of existence. Had he entertained the gloomy notions of Calvinism, in which he was brouglit up, this cheering source of contentment and resignation would probably have failed him, and irritation and despendency would have gained an unhappy ascendancy. But by him the deity was not regarded as an avenging - tyrant, punishing, for the sake of punish- ing his weak and imperfect creatures, but — as a wise and kind parent, inflicting those corrections only that are necessary to bring our dispositions to the proper tem- per, and'to fit us forthe highest state of happiness of which our natures are ulti- mately capable. With these views of the present and the future, it is no wonder that he submitted ith perfect resignation to the inevitable vicissitudes of human life, and looked forward to futurity as a period of exist- mce when his capacity for receiving lappiness would be greater, because his sapacity for communicating it would be nlarged, iv PREFACE. My father’s narrative closing with his arrival in this country, where he has done so much for the promotion of use- ful knowledge of all kinds, I have com- pleted the account of his life from that period to the termination of it. The work might have been made more interesting as well as entertaining, had 1 deemed ‘inyself at liberty to have - published letters addressed to my father by persons of eminence in this country, as well asin Europe. But those com- munications that were intended to be private, shall remain so; as I do not think I have a right to amuse the public either against, or without, the inclina- tions of those who confided their cor: respondence to. his care. I regret that more of the present work is not the production of my father’s pen: and I hope the reader will make allow- ance for the imperfection of that portior of it, for which I have made myseli responsible. J OSEPH PRIESTLEY ~ Northumberland, Pensylvania, May 1, 1805. MEMOIRS OF Dr. JOSEPH PRIESTLEY. [WRITTEN BY HIMSEEF.] HAVING thought it right to leave behind me some account of my friends and benefactors, it js in a manner necessary that I also give some account of myself; and as the like has been done by many persons, and for reasons which posterity has approved, I make no further apology for following their example. If my writings in general have been useful to my contempora- ries, I hope that this account of myself will not be without its use to those who may come after me, and especially in promoting virtue. and piety, which, I hope I may say, it has been my care to practise myself, as it has been my busi- ess to inculcate them upon others. 3B 2 MEMOIRS OF My father, Jonas Priestley, was the youngest son of Joseph Priestley, a maker .and dresser of woollen cloth. His first wife, my mother, was the only child of Joseph Swift, a farmer at Shaf- ton, a village about six miles south-east of Wakefield. By this wife he had six children, four sons and two daughters. I, the oldest, was born on the thirteenth of March, old style, 1733, at Fieldhead, about six miles south-west of Leeds, in Yorkshire. My mother dying in 1740, my father married again in 1745, and by his second wife had three daughters. My mother having children so fast, I was very soon committed to the care of her father, and with him [ continued with little interruption till my mother’s:death. It is but little that I can recollect of my mother. I remember, however, that she was careful ‘to teach me the Assembly’s Catechism, and to give me the best instructions the little time that I was at home. «Once im particular, when I was playing with a pin, she asked me where I got it; and on telling her that I found it at my uncle’s, who lived very near to my father, and where I had been playing with my cousins, she made me carry tt back again; no doubt to impress my mind, as it could not fail to do, with a clear idea of the eens | DR» PRIESTLEY. 3 perty, and of the importance of attending to She died in the hard winter of 1739, not x after being delivered of my youngest bro- r; and having dreamed a little before her th that she was in a delightful place, which patticularly described, and imagined to be yen, the last words which she spake, as my t.informed me, were “ let me go to that fine ie... Yn the death of my mother I was taken ne, my brothers taking my place, and was t to school in the neighbourhood, But being hout a mother, and my father incumbered h.a large tamily, a sister of my father’s, in year 1742, relieved him of all care of me, taking meventirely to herself, and considering as her child, having none of her own. From time she was truly a parent to me, ull her h in 1764. fy aunt was married to a Mr. Keighley, a who had distinguished himself for his zeal religion and for his public spirit. He was aman of considerable property, and dying after I went to them, Icft the greatest part is fortune to my aunt for life, and much of her disposal after her death. ‘this truly pious and excellent woman, who no other use of wealth, or of talents of B2 4 MEMOIRS OF any kind, than to do good, and who never sp ed herself for this purpose, I was sent to seve schools in the neighbourhood, especially t: large free school, under the care of a clerzgym Mr. Hague, under whom, at the age of twe or thirteen, I first began to make any progres: the Latin tongue, and acquired the elements Greek. But about the same time that I be; to learn Greek at this public school, I lear Hebrew on holidays of the dissenting mini: of the place, Mr. Kirkby; and upon the remc of Mr. Hague from the free school, Mr. Ki by opening a school of his own, I was wh under his care. With this instruction, | acquired a pretty good knowledge of the lear languages at the age of sixteen. But from > time, Mr. Kirkby’s increasing infirmities ob ed him to relinquish his school, and beginr to be of a weakly consumptive habit, so th; was not thought advisable to send me to other place of education, I was left to con my studies as well as I could till I went to academy at Daventry, in the year 1752. From the time I discovered any fondness books, my aunt entertained hopes of my bet minister, and I readily entered into her vi But my ill health obliged me to turn) thoughts another way, and, with a view f DR, PRIESTLEY. 5 ade, I learned the modern languages, French, alian, and High Dutch, without a masters nd in the first and last of them I translated and rote letters, for an uncle of mine who was a jerchant, and who intended to put me into a ounting-house in Lisbon. A house was actu- lly engaged to receive me there, and every ning was nearly ready for my undertaking the oy age. But getting better health, my former estination for the ministry was resumed, and [ as sent to Daventry, to study under Mr, Ash- rorth, afterwards Dr. Ashworth. Looking back, as I often do, upon this sduida £ my life, I see the greatest reason to be thank- al to God for the pious care of my parents and iends, in giving me religious instruction. My aother was a woman of exemplary piety, and y father also had. astrong sense of religion, raying with his family morning and evening, d carefully teaching his children and servants e Assembly’s Catechism, which was all the stem of which he had any knowledge. In ae latter part of his life, he became very fond f Mr. Whitfield’s writings, and other works of similar kind, having been brought up in the rinciples of Calvinism, and adopting them, t without ever giving much attention to mat- TS of speculation, and entertaining no bigotted 6 MEMOIRS OF aversion to those who differed from him on tl subject. The same was the case with my excelle aunt, she was truly Calvinistic in principle, bi was far from confining salvation to those wh thought as she did on religious subjects. Bein Jeft in good cireumstanees, her home was tt resort of all the dissenting ministers in th neighbourhood without distinction, and thos who were the most obnoxious on account ¢ their heresy were almost as welcome to her, | she thought them honest and good men (whic she was not unwilling to do), as-any others. The most heretical ministers in the neigh bourhood were Mr. Graham, of Halifax; a Mr. Walker, of Leeds but. they ‘were fr quently my aunt’s guests. With the former « these, my intimacy grew with my years, b chiefly after I became'a preacher. "We kept a correspondence to the last, thinking alike < most subjects.. To him I dedicated my “ Dit quisitions on Matter and Spirit,” and when died, he left me his manuseripts, his Polygh ‘Bible, and two hundred pounds. Besides b ing a rational Christian, he was an excelle classical scholar, and: wrote Latin’ with gr facility and elegance, He oe wrote | me in that language. . DR. PRIESTLEY. 7 ’ Thus I was brought up with sentiments’ of piety, but without bigotry, and having, front my earliest years, given much attention to the ‘subject of religion, T was as much confirmed as I well could be in the principles of Calvinism, all the books that came in my way having that tendency. The weakness of my constitution, which ‘often led me to think that I should not be long- lived, contributed to give my mind a still more ‘serious turn; and having read many books ot experiences, and, in. consequence, believing that anew birth, produced by the immediate agency — ‘of the Spirit of God, was necessary.to salvation, ‘and not being able to satisfy myself that I Aad ‘experienced any thing of the kind, I felt occa- sionally such’distress of mind as it is not inmy power to describe, and which I still look back upon with horror, Notwithstanding I had nothing very material to reproach myself with; I often concluded that God had forsaken me, ind that mine was like the case of Francis Spira, to whom, as he imagined, repentance and sal- a were denied.’ In that state of mind, I remember reading the account of the man in the iron cage, in the “ Pilerim’s Progress,” with e greatest perturbation. * imagine that even these conflicts. of mind 8 MEMOIRS OF - were not without their use, as they led me to think habitually of God and a future state. And though my feelings were then, no doubt, too full of terror, what remained of them was a deep reverence for divine things, and in time.a pleas- ing satisfaction which can neyer be effaced, and, I hope, was strengthened. as I have adyaneed in life, and acquired more rational notions of re- ligion. The remembrance, however, of what T sometimes felt in that state of ignorance and darkness, gives me a peculiar sense of the value of rational principles of religion, and of which I can give but an imperfect description to others.: As truth, we cannot doubt, mast haye an advantage over error, we may conclude that the want of these peculiar feelings is compen- sated by something of greater value, which arises to others from always having seen things in a just and pleasing light; from having always considered the Supreme Being as the kind parent of all his offspring. This, however, not having been my case, I cannot be so good a judge of the effects of it. At all events, we ought always to inculcate just views of things, assuring our- selves that proper feelings and right conduct will be the consequence of them. In the latter part of the interval between my leaving the grammar-school and going to the DR. PRIESTLEY. 9 academy, which was something more than two years, I attended two days-in the week upon Mr. Haggerstone, a dissenting minister in the neighbourhood, who had been educated under Mr. Maclaurin. Of him I learned geometry, algebra, and various branches of mathematics, theoretical and practical. And at the same time I read, but with little assistance from him, «© Grayesend’s Elements of Natural Philosophy,” © Watts’s Logic,” ‘ Locke’s Essay on the Hu- man Understanding,” &c. and made such a proficiency in other branches of learning, that when I was admitted at the academy (which was on Coward’s foundation,). I was excused all the studies of the first year, and a great part of those of the second. In the same interval I spent the latter part of every week with Mr. Thomas, a baptist minis- ter, now of Bristol, but then of Gildersome, a village about four miles from Leeds, who had had no learned education. Him I instructed in He- brew, and by that means made myself a con- siderable proficient in that language. At the same time I learned Chaldee and Syriac, and just began to read Arabic. Upon the whole, going to the academy later than is usual, and being thereby better furnished, I was qualified to appear there with greater. adyantage. | BS 10 MEMOIRS OF Before I went from home I was very desiron of ‘being admitted a communicant in the con- gregation which I had always attended, and th old minister, as well as my aunt, were as desir- ous of it as myself, but the elders of the church, who had the government of it, refused’ me, be- cause, when they interrogated me on the sub- ject of the sin of Adam, I appeared not to be quite orthodox, not thinking that all the human race (supposing them not to have any sin of “heir own) were liable to the wrath of God, and the pains of hell for ever, on account of that sin only; for such was the question that was put to me. Some time before, having then no doubt of the truth of the doctrine, I well re- member being much distressed that I could not feel a proper repentance for the sin of Adam ; taking it for granted, that, without this, it could not be forgiven me. Mr. Haggerstone, above- mentioned, was a lttle more liberal than the members of the congregation in whieh I was brought up, bemg what is called a Barterian ; and his general conversation had a Kberal turn, and such as tended to undermine my prejudices. But what contributed to open my eyes still more, was the conversation of a Mr. Walker, from Ashton-under-Line, who preached as a candidate when our old minister was superannu- DR. PRIESTLEY. 11 ated. He was an avowed Baxterian, and being rejected on that account, his opinions were much canvassed, and he being a guest at the house of my aunt; we soon became very inti- mate, and I thought I saw much of reason in his sentiments. Thinking farther on these sub- jects, I was, before I went to the academy, an Arminian; but had by no means rejected ‘the doctrine of the trinity or that of atonement. Though after I saw reason to change my opinions, I found myself incommoded by the rigour of the congregation with which T was connected, I. shall always acknowledge, with great gratitude, that I owe much to it. The business of religion was effectually attended- to in it. We were all catechised in public till we were grown up, servants as well as others: the minister always expounded the scriptures with as much regularity as he preached, and there was hardly a day in the week, in which there was not some meeting of one or other part of : the congregation. On one evening there was a ‘meeting of the young men, for conversation and prayer. ‘This I constantly attended, praying extempore with others, when called upon. _ At my aunt's, there was a monthly meeting of women, who acquitted themselves in prayer as well as any of the men belonging to the edn- 12 MEMOIRS OF. gregation. Being at first a child in the family, I was permitted to attend their meetings, aud growing up insensibly, heard them after 1 was capable of judging. My aunt, after the death of her husband, prayed. every morning and even- ing in her family, until I was about seventeen, when that duty devolved upon me. The Lord’s day was kept with peculiar strict- ness. No victuals were dressed on that day in any family. No member of it was permitted to walk out for recreation, but the whole of the day was spent at the public meeting, .or at home in reading, meditation, and prayer, in the family or the closet. Tt was my custom at that time to recollect as much as I could of the sermons I heard, and to commit it to writing. This practice I began very early, and continued it until I was able from the heads of a discourse to supply the rest myself. For not troubling myself to commit to memory much of the amplification, and writing at home almost as much as I had heard, I in- sensibly acquired a habit of composing with great readiness ; and from this practice I believe I have derived great advantage through life; composition seldom employing : so much time a3 would be necessary to write in sane hand any thing I have published. DR. PRIESTLEY. 13 By these means, not being disgusted with these strict forms of religion, as many persons of better health and spirits probably might have been, (and on which account I am far from re- commending the same strictness to others) I acquired in early life a serious turn of mind. Among other things I had at this time a great aversion to plays and romances, so that I never read any works of this kind except Robinson ~ Crusoe, until I went to the academy. I well remember seeing my brother Timothy reading a book of knight errantry, and with great indig- nation I snatched it out of his hands, and threw it away. This brother afterwards, when he had for some time followed my father’s business, (which was that of a cloth-dresser) became, if possible, more serious than I had been; and after an imperfect education, took up the profes- sion of a minister among the Independents, in which he now continues. While I was at the grammar school, I learned «Mr. Annet’s Short-hand,” and thinking I could suggest some improvements in it, I wrote to the author, and this was the beginning of a corres- pondence which lasted several years. He was, as 1 ever perceived, an unbeliever in Christian- | ity, and a Necessarian. On this subject, several letters, written with care on’ both sides, passed 14 MEMOIRS OF between us, and these Mr. Annet often pressed me to give him leave to publish, but I constantly refused. TI had undertaken the defence of phi- losophical liberty, and the corréspondence was closed without my being convinced of the fal- lacy of my arguments, though upon studying the subject regularly, in the course of my academical education afterwards, I became a confirmed Ne- cessarian, and I have through life derived, as I imagine; the greatest advantage from my full persuasion of the truth of that doctrine. My aunt, and all myrelations, being strict Calyt- nists,it was their intention to send me to the acade- my at A/ile-end, then under the careof Dr. Cawder. But, being at that time an Arminian, I resolutely - opposed it, especially upon finding that if I went thither, besides giving an expertence, I must sub- scribe my assent to ten printed articles of the strictest Calvinistic faith, and repeat it every six months. My opposition, however, would pro- bably have been to no purpose; and I must have adopted some other mode of Jife, if Mr. Kirkby fabove-mentioned) had not interposed, and strongly recommended the academy of Dr. Dod= dridge, on the idea that I should have a better chance of being made a scholar. “He had: res ecived a good education himself, was a good classical scholar, and had no opinion of the / DR. PRIESTLEY. 15 mote of education among the very orthodox Dissenters, and being fond of me, he was de- sirous of my having every advantage that could be procured for me. My good aunt, not being a bigotted Calvinist, entered into his views, and Dr. Doddridge being dead, I was sent to Daven- try, and was the first pupil that entered there. My step-mother also, who was a woman of good _ sense, as well as of religion, had a high opinion _ of Dr. Doddridge, having been some time house- _ keeper in his family. She had always recom- mended his academy, but died before I went thither. : _ Three years, viz. from September 1752, to 1755, I spent at Daventry, with that peculiar | satisfaction with which young persons of gene- rous minds usually ¢ vo through a course of liberal study, in the society of others engaged in the same pursuits, and free from the cares and anx- ieties which seldom fail to lay hold on them when they come out into the world. In my time, the academy was in a state pecu- liarly favourable to the serious pursuit of truth, as ‘the students were about equally divided upon every question of much importance, such’ as Liberty and Necessity, the sleep of the soul, and all the articles of theological crthodoxy and he- resy ; i cansequence of which, all these topics 16 MEMOIRS OF were the subject of continual discussion. Our tutors also were of different opinions ; Dr. Ash- worth taking the orthodox side of every question, and Mr. Clark, the sub-tutor, that of heresy, though always with the greatest modesty. Both of our tutors being young, at least as tutors, and some of the senior students excelling more than they could pretend to do in several branches of study, they indulged us in the greatest freedoms, so that our lectures had often the air of friendly conversations on the subjects to which they related. We were permitted to ask whatever questions, and to make whatever remarks, we pleased; and we did it with the greatest, but without any offensive, freedom. The general plan of our studies, which may be seen in Dr. Doddridge’s published lectures, was exceedingly favourable to free inquiry, as we were referred to authors on both sides of every question, and were even required to give an ac- count of them. It was also expected that we should abridge the most important of them for our future use. The public library contained all the books to which we were referred. It was a reference to ‘* Dr. Hartley’s Observa- tions on Man,” in the course of our Lectures, ‘that first brought me acquainted with that per- formance, which immediately engaged my DR. PRIESTLEY. 4 closest attention, and produced the greatest, and in my opinion the most favourable effect on my general turn of thinking through life. It esta- blished mein the belief of the doctrine of Ne- -cessity, which I first learned from Collins; it greatly improved that disposition to piety which I brought to the academy, and freed it from the ‘rigour with which it had been tinctured. In- deed, I do not know whether the consideration of Dr, Hartley’s theory contributes more to en- lighten the mind, or improve the heart ; it effects both in so super-eminent a degree. In this situation, I saw reason to embrace what is generally called the heterodox side of al- most every question*. But notwithstanding this, and though Dr. Ashworth was earnestly desirous to make me as orthodox as possible, yet, ‘as my behaviour was unexceptionable, and as I generally took his part in some little things by * It will be seen in the course of these memoirs, that from time to time, as deeper reflection and more exten ‘sive reading incited him, he saw reason to give up almost all the peculiar theological and metaphysical opinions which he had imbibed in early youth ; some of them with considerable difficulty, and all of them at the evident risk of considerable obloquy from those whom he highly res- pected, as well as from those on whom his interest ap- peared to depend. T. C. 18 MEMOIRS OF which he often drew upon himself the ill-will of many of the students, I was upon the whole 2 favourite with him. I kept up more or less of a correspondence with Dr. Ashworth till the time of his death, though much more.so with Mr. Clark. This continued till the very week of his melancholy death, by a fall from his horse at Birmingham, where he was minister. Notwithstanding the great freedom of our speculations and debates, the extreme of heresy among us was Arianism ; and all of us, T believe, Jeft the academy with a belief, more or less qua+ lified, of the doctrine of atonement. nt - Warm friendships never fail to be contracted at places of liberal education; and when they are well chosen, are of singular use: such was mine with Mr. Alexander of Birmingham. We were in the’same class, and during the first year occu pied the same room. By engagements between ourselyes we rose early, and dispatched many articles of business every day. One of them, which continued all the time we were at tne aca- demy, was to read every day ten folio pages in some Greek author, and generally a Greek play in the course of the week besides, _ By this means we became very well acquainted with that. language, and with the most valuable authors in. it.) Phis exercise we continued long after we. DR. PRIESTLEY. 19 left the academy, communicating to each other by letter an account of what we read. My life becoming more occupied than his, he continued his application to Greek longer than I did, so that before his death he was, I imagine, one of the best Greek scholars in this or any other country. My attention was always more drawn to mathematical and philosophical studies than his was. These voluntary engagements were the more Mecessary, in the course of our academical stu- ‘dies, as there was then no provision made for teaching the learned languages. We had even no compositions, or orations in Latin. Our ‘course of lectures was also defective in contain- ‘ing no lectures on the scriptures, or on ecclesi-— astical history, and by the students in general (and Mr. Alexander and myself were no except- ions) commentators in general and ecclesiastical history also, were held in contempt. On leav= ing the academy, he went ‘to study under his uncle Dr. Benson, and with him learned to value the critical study of the scriptures so much, that’ at length he almost confined his attention to them. My other particular friends among my fellow students, were Mr. Henry Holland, of my own class, Messrs. Whitehead, Smithson, Rother- 20 MEMOIRS OF © ham, and Scholefield, in that above me; and Mr. Taylor in that below me. With all these I kept up more or less of a correspondence, and our friendship was terminated only by the death of those who are now dead, viz. the three first named of these six, and I hope it will subsist to the same period with those who now survive. All the while I was at the academy, I never Jost sight of the great object of my studies, which was the duties of a Christian minister, and there it was that I laid the general plan which I have executed since. Particularly I there composed the first copy of my * Institutes of Natural and Revealed Religion,” Mr. Clark, to whom I com- municated my scheme, carefully perusing every section of it, and talking over the subject of it with me. But I was much Fa = even then with the tmpediment in my speech, which I inherited from my family, and which still attends me. Sometimes I absolutely stammered, and my anx- iety abeut it was the cause of much distress to me. However, like St. Paul’s thorn in the flesh, T hope it has not been without its use. With- out some such check as this, I might have been — disputatious in company, or might have been seduced by the love of. popular applause as a_ preacher, whereas my conversation and my de- © ee DR. PRIESTLEY. 21 livery in the pulpit having nothing in them that was generally striking, I hope I have been more attentive to qualifications of a superior kind. It is not, I believe, usual for young persons in . dissenting academies, to think much of their fu- ture situations in life. Indeed, we are happily precluded from that, by the impossibility of suc- ceeding in any application for particular places. We often, indeed, amused ourselves with the idea of our dispersion in all parts of the king- dom, after living so happily together; and used to propose plans of meeting at certain times, and smile at the different appearance we should pro- bably make after being ten or twenty years settied in the world. But nothing of this kind was ever seriously resolved upon by us. For my own part, I can truly say I had very little ambition, except to distinguish myself by my application to the studies proper to my profession; and I cheerfully listened to the first proposal that my tutor made to me, in consequence of an applica- tion made to him, to provide a minister for the people of Needham Market, in Suffolk, though it was very remote from my friends in York- shire, and a very inconsiderable place. ~ When I went to preach at Needham as a can- didate, I found a small congregation, about an hundred people, under a Mr. Meadows, who was 5 92 MEMOIRS OF - superannuated, They had been without a mi- nister the preceding year, on account of the smallness of the salary; but there being some respectable and agreeable families among them, I flattered myself that I should be useful and happy in the place, and therefore accepted the unanimous invitation to be assistant to Mr. Mea= dows, with a view to succeed him when he died, He was aman of some fortune. This congregation had been used to receive assistance from both the Presbyterian and Inde- pendent funds ; but upon my telling them that I did not chuse to have any thing to do with the Independents, and asking them whether they were able to make up the salary they promised me, (which was forty pounds per annum) with out any aid from the latter fund, they assured me they could. I soon, however, found that they deceived themselves; for the most that I ever received from them, was in the proportion of about thirty pounds per annum, when the ex- pense of my board exceeded twenty pounds. « Notwithstanding this, every thing else for the first half year appeared very promising, and I was happy in the success of my schemes for promot ing the interest of religion in the place. I ca- techised the children, though there were not many, using Dr, Watt’s catechism ; and I open-' ' DR. PRIESTLEY. 23 ed my lectures on the theory of religion from the Institutes,” which I had composed at the aca- Jemy, admitting all persons to aftend them, without distinction of sex or age; but in this I soon found that I had acted imprudently. A minister in that neighbourhood had been obliged to leave his place on account of Arianism; and though nothing had been said to me on the sub- ject, and from the people so readily consenting to give up the Independent fund, I thought they could not have much bigotry among them, I found that when [ came to treat of the Unity of God, merely as an article of religion, several of my audience were attentive to nothing but the soundness of my faith in the doctrine of the Trinity. _ Also, though I had made it a role to myself to. introduce thio: that could lead to contro- versy into the pulpit; yct making no secret of my real opinions in conversation, it was soon ound that I was an Arian. From the ‘time of this discovery, my hearers fell off apace, espe- ially as the old minister took a decided part against me. The principal families, however, still continued with me; but notwithstanding this, my salary fell far short of thirty pounds per annum ; and if it had not been for Dr. Beecom id Dr. Kippis, especially the former, procuring 4S MEMOIRS OF of me now and then an extraordinary fivé pounds from different charities, I do not believe that could have subsisted. I shall always remembe their kindness to me, at a time when I stood it so much need of it. When I was in this situation, a neighbourin; minister, whose intimate friend had conforme: to the church of England, talked to me on tha subject. He himself, I perceived, had no grea objection to it; but rejecting the proposal, as ; thing that I could not think of, he never men: tioned it to me any more. To these difficulties, arising from the senti ments of my congregation, was added that o the failure of all remittances from my aunt, ow ing in part to the ill offices of my orthodox rela tions ; but chiefly to her being exhausted by he liberality to others, and thinking that when I wa settled in the world, I ought to be no longe burdensome toher. Together with me, she ha brought up a niece, whe was almost her onl: companion, and being deformed, could not hav subsisted without the greatest part, at least, o all she had to bequeath. In consequence these circumstances, though my aunt had alwayl assured me that, if Ichose to be a minister, sht would leave me independent of the profession, was satisfied she was not able to perform DRI PRIESTLEY. A} romise, and freely consented to her leaving all he had to my cousin; I had only a silver tan- card as a token of lier remembrance. She had pared no expense in my education, and that was loing more for me than giving mean estate. But what contributed greatly to my distress, vas the tmpediment in my speech, which had ncreased so much, as to make preaching very yainful, and took fron: me all chance of recom- nending myself to any better place. In this tate, hearing of the proposal of one Mr. Angier, o cure all defects of speech, I prevailed upon ny aunt to enable me to pay his price, which vas twenty guineas ; and this was the first occa- ion of my visiting London. Accordingly, I ttended him about a month, taking an oath not o reveal his method, and J received some tem- orary benefit; but soon relapsed again, and poke worse than ever. When I went to Lon- on, it was in company with Mr. Smithson, who as settled at Harlesitown, in Norfolk. By him was introduced to Dr. Kippis, and Dr. Benson, id by the latter to Dr. Price, but not at that mé¢, : _At Needham I feit the effect of a low despised tuation, together with that arising from the ant of popular talents. There were several va- ncies in congregations in that neighbourhood, Cc 26 MEMOIRS OF where my sentiments would have been no object- jon tome, but I was never thought of. Even my next neighbour, whose sentiments were as free as my own, and known to be so, declined making exchanges with me, which, when [I left that part of the country, he acknowledged was not owing to any dislike his people had to me as heretical, but for other reasons, the more genteel part of his hearers always absenting themselves _ when they heard I was to preach for him. But visiting that country some years afterwards, when I had raised myself to some degree of no- tice in the world, and being invited to preach in that very pulpit, the same people crowded to heat me, though my elocution was not much im- proved, and they professed to admire one of the same discourses they had formerly despised. Notwithstanding these unfavourable cireum- stances, I was far from being unhappy at Need. ham. Iwas boarded in a family from which ] received much satisfaction, I firmly believed that a wise Providence was disposing every thing fo. the best, and I applied with great assiduity to my studies, which were classical, mathematical, an¢ theological. These required but few books. A: to experimental philosophy, I had always culti. vated an acquaintance with it, but I had not the means of prosecuting it. DR. PRIESTLEY. 27 With respect to miscellaneous reading, I was’ retty well supplied by means of a library belong- gto Mr. S. Alexander, a quaker, to which I ad the freest access. Here it was that I was rst acquainted with any person of that persua- ion; and I must acknowledge my obligation to iany of them in every future stage of my life. have met with the noblest instances of libe- ality of sentiment, and the truest generosity mong them. My studies, however, were chiefly theological. faving left the academy, as I have observed, ‘ith a qualified belief of the doctrine of atone- vent, such as is found in Mr. Tomkin’s book, ntitled ‘* Jesus Christ the Mediator,”? I was esirous of getting some more definite ideas on ne subject, and with that view set myself to pe- use the whole of the “Old and New Testa- nent,” and to collect from them all the texts hat appeared to me to have any relation to the: ubject.. This I therefore did with the greatest are, arranging them under a great variety of ieads. At the same time I did not fail to note uch general considerations ‘as occurred to me hile I was thus employed. ‘The consequence f this was, what | had no apprehension of when began the work, viz. a full persuasion that the octrine of atonement, even in its most qualified C2 28 MEMOIRS OF sense, had no countenance either from scripture or reason. Satisfied of this, | proceeded to di- gest my observations into a regular treatise, which a friend of mine, without mentioning my name, submitted to the perusal of Dr. Fleming and Dr. Lardner. In consequence of this, I was urged by them to publish the greater part of what I had written. But being then about to Jeave Needham, I desired them to do whatever they thought proper with respect to it, and they published about half of my piece, under the title of the ‘* Doctrine of Remission,” &c. This circumstance introduced me to the ac- quaintance of Dr. Lardner, whom J always cal- Jed upon when I visited London. The last time I saw him, which was litthe more than a ‘year before his death, having by letter requested him to give me some assistance with respect to the history I then prepared to write of the cor ruptions of Christianity, and especially that ar ticle of it, he took down a large bundle of pam- phlets, and turning them over, at length shew- ing me my own, said, ‘* This contains m sentiments on the subject.” He had then for gotten that I wrote it, and on my remarking i it, h shook his head, and said that his memory bega to fail him; and that-he had taken me for ee other person. He was then at the advanced age DK. PRIESTLEY, 29 f ninety-one. This anecdote ts triflmg in itself, ut it relates to a great and good man. I have observed that Dr. Lardner only wished o publish a part of the treatise which my friend mit into hishaad. The other part ef it con- ained remarks on the reasoning of the Apostle Paul, which he could not by any means ap- rove. iE Hey were, therefore, omitted in this yublication- But the attention which I gave to he writings of this Apostle, at the time that I -xamined them, in erder to collect passages re- ating to the doctrine of atonement, satisfied me hat his reasoning was in many places far from deing conclusive ; and in a separate work I exa- mined every passage in.which his: reasoning ap- peared to me to be defective, or his conclusions il supported; and I thought them to be pretty numerous. At that time T had not read any commentary on the Scriptures, except that of Mr. Henry, hen I was young. However, seeing so much cs to be dissatisfied with the Apostle Paul, is a reasoner, I read ‘‘ Dr. Taylor’s Paraphrase n the Epistle to the Romans;” but it gave me o sort of satisfaction; and his: general “ Key to he Epistles,” still less. I therefore at that time wrote some remarks on it, which were a long 30 MEMOIRS OF time after published in the ‘* Theological Rep sitory,” vol. iv. As I found that Dr, Lardner did not at a relish any of my*observations en the imperfee ions of the sacred writers, I did not put this tre tise mto his hands; but I shewed_ it+ adi some my younger friends, and als > Bh as ian) he advised me to oulsaaliee er a ae an unbelievers in order to W 8 Ap 3 atte tion to it, This I @id net chigiedy having alway had a great aversion to assume any character th was not my own, even so much as disputing fi the sake of discovering truth. I cannot ever sa that I was quite reconciled to the idea of writ ing to a fictitious person, as in my ** Letters to: Philosophical Unbeliever,” though nothing cat be more innocent, or somctimes more proper our Saviour’s parables implying a much greate departure from strict truth than those letters do I therefore wrote the book with great freedom indeed, but as a Christian, and an aamirer o the Apostle Paul, as I always was in other res pects. i When L.was at Nantwich, I sent this treatis to the press ; but when nine sheets were printe off, Dr. Kippis dissuaded me from proceeding, © from publishing any thing of the kind, until | DR. PRIESTLEY. ol should be more known, and my character better established. I therefore desisted; but when T opened the * ‘Theological Repository,” I inserted ' in that work every thing that was of much con- ' sequence in the other, in order to its being sub | mitted to the examination of learned Christians. ‘Accordingly these communications were partici.- larly animadvedted upon by Mr. Willct, of New- ‘castle, under the signature of W.W. But i i Caigaoc say that his remarks gave me much satis- faction. ‘ When I was at Necdiaalea, I likewise drew up a treatise on the doctrine of divine influence, hay- ig collected a number of texts for that purpose, and arranged them under proper heads, as I had done those relating to the doctrine of atonement. But I published nothing relating to it until I made use of some of the observations 1 my ser- mon on that subject, delivered at an ordination, and published many years afterwards. While I was in this retired situation, I had, in consequence of much pains and- thought, be- - come persuaded of the falsity of the doctrine of atonement, of the inspiration of the authors of - the books of Scripture as writers, and -of all idea: of supernatural influence, except for the purpose of miracles. But] was still an Arian, having never turned my attention to the Socinian doc- 32 MEMOIRS OF trine, and contenting myself with seeing th absurdity of the Trinitarian system. Another task that I imposed on myself, and in _part executed at Needham, was an accurate com- parison of the Hebrew text of the hagiographa, and the prophets with the version of the Septua- gint, noting all the variations, &e. This I about half finished before I left that place ; and never resumed it, except to do that occasionally for -particular passages, which I then began,! though with many disadvantages, with a desig 1 to go through the whole. I had no polyglo Bible, and could have little help from the labour of others. } ; The most learned of my acqtaintance in this situation, was Mr. Scott, of Ipswich, who was weil versed in the Oriental languages, especially the Arabic. But though he was far from being Calvinistical, he gave me no encouragement m1 the very free inquiries which I then entere upon. Being excluded from all communicatio with the more orthodox ministers in that part o} the countiy, all my acquaintance among th dissenting ministers, besides Mr. Scott, wer Mr. Taylor, of Stow-markct; Mr. Dickinson of Diss; and Mr. Smithson, of Harlestone: anc it is rather remarkable, that we all left that coun iry'in the course of the same year; Mr. Taylo DR. PRIESTLEY. 33 removing to Carter-lane, in London, Mr. Dick~ nson to Sheffield, and Mr. Smithson to Not- ingham. But I was very happy in a great degree of in- imacy with Mr. Chauvet, the rector of Stow-_ mafket. He was descended of French parents ; ind [ think was not born in England. Whilst ne lived, we were never long: without seeing sach other. But he was subject to great uneven- ess of spirits, sometimes the most cheerful mam iving, and at other times most deplorably low: fn one of these fits he at length put an end to his ife. I heard afterwards, that he had at one ime been confined for insanity, and had even: nade the same attempt some time before. Like most other young men of a liberal edu- sation, I had conceived a great aversion to the usiness of a schoolmaster, 2nd had often said,. hat I would have recourse to any thing else for. | Maintenance, in preference to it. But having: 10 other resource, I was at length compelled by. lecessity to make some attempt in. that way.; nd for this purpose, I printed and distributed oposals, but without any effect. Not that I. vas thought to be unqualified for this employ-. ment, but because I was not orthodox. I had roposed to teach the classics, mathematics; &c. C'S. 34 MEMOIRS OF for half-a-guinea per quer‘er,and to board the pupils in the house with myself for twelve guinea: per annum. Finding this scheme not to answer, I pro posed to give lectures to grown persons in such branches of science as I could conveniently pro4 cure the means of doing ; and I began with read ing about twelve lectures on the use of the globes, at half-a-cuinea. I had one course of te 1 hearers, which did something more than pay for my globes; and I should have proceeded in this way, adding to my apparatus as [ should hav@ been able to afford it, if T had not left that plac which was in the following manner. My situation being well known to my friends, Mr. Gill, a distant relation by my mother, who had taken much notice of me before I went the academy, and h-d often lent me books, pro- cured me an invitation to preach as a candidaté at Sheffield, on the resignation of Mr. Wads- worth. Accordingly I did preach as a candidate, but though my opinions were no objection td me there, [ was not approved. But Mr. Haynes, the other minister, perceiving that I had ne hance at Sheffield, told me that he could recom mend me to a congregation at Nantwich, im Cheshire, where he himself had been settled DR. PRIESTLEY. 35 and as it was at a great distance from Needham, he would endeavour to procure me an invitation to preach there fora year certain. This he did, and I gladly accepting of it, removed from Need- ham, going thence to London by sea, to save ex- pense. This was in 1758, after having been at Needham just three years. _ At Nantwich I found a good-natured friendly people, with whom I lived three years very: hap- pily; and in this situation: I heard’ nothing of those controversies which had been the topics of almost every conversation in Suffolk ; and the consequence was; that I gave little attention to them myself. Indeed it: was hardly in my power to,do ity on account of my engagement with a school, which I was soon able.to establish, and to which I gave almost all my attention ; and in this employment, contrary. to my: expec- tations, I found the ‘greatest satisfaction, not-- withstanding the confinement and labour attend- ing it. ’ My school generally consisted of about thirty boys, and I had a separate room for about half a dozen young ladies. Thus I was engployed from seven in the morning until four in the afternoon, without any interval except one hour for dinner, and I never gave a holiday on any consideration, the red letter days, as they are called, excepted. 36 MEMOIRS OF Immediately after this employment in my own school rooms, I went to teach in the family of Mr. Tomkinson, an eminent attorney, and a man of large fortune, whose recommendation was of the greatest service tome; and here I continued until seven in the evening. I had therefore but little leisure for reading or for im- proving “myself in any way, except what ne-| cessarily arose from my employment. Being engaged in the business of a school-_ master, I made it my study to regulate it in the” best manner, and I thitk I may say with truth, that in no school was more business done, or with more satisfaction, either to the master or the scholars, than in this of mine. Many of my scholars are probably living, and I am confident” that they will say that this is no vain boast. At Needham I was barely able, with the great- est economy, to keep out of debt, (though this L always made a point of doing at all events) but at Nantwich my school soon enabled me to: pur- chase a few books, and some philosophical in- struments, as a small air-pump, an electrical: machine, &c. These I taught my scholars in the highest class to keep in order, and make use of, and by entertaining their parents and friends with experiments, in which the scholars were generally the operators, and sometimes the lec- DR. PRIESTLEY. 37 turers too, I considerably extended the reputa - ‘tion of my school; though I had no other object originally than gratifying my own taste. I had no leisure, however, to make any original expe- riments until many years after this time. As there were few children in the congrega- } ‘ton, (which did not consist of more than sixty ‘persons, and a great proportion of them travel- ling Scotchmen) there was no scope for exertion with respect to my duty asa minister. I there- fore contented myself with giving the people what assistance I could at their own houses, where there were young persons; and I added very few sermons to those which'l had composed at Needham, where I never failed to make at least one every week. Being boarded with Mr. Biddiswe es, a very so- ciable and sensible man, and at the same time the person of the greatest property in the congre- vation, and who was fond of music, I was in- duced to learn to play a little on the English flute, as the easiest instrument; and though I was never a proficient in it, my playing contri- buted more or less to my amusement many years of my life. 1 would recommend the knowledge and practice of music to all studious persons ; and it will be better for them, if, like myself, they should haye no very fine ear, or exquisite 38 MEMOIRS OF taste ; as by this means they will be more easily pleased, and be less apt to be offended when the performances they hear are but indifferent. At Nantwich I had hardly any literary ac- quaintance besides Mr. Brereton, a clergyman in the neighbourhood, who had a taste for astro- nomy, philosophy, and literature in general.. F often slept at his house, in a room to which he gave my name. But his conduct afterwards was unworthy of his profession. Of dissenting ministers, T saw most of Mr. Keay, of Whitchurch, and Dr. Harwood, whe lived and had a school at Congleton, preaching alternately at Leck and Wheelock, the latter place about tea miles from Nantwich. Being both of us schoolmasters, and having in some respect the same pursuits, we made exchanges for the sake of spending a Sunday evening toge- ther every six weeks in the summer time. He was a good classical scholar, and a very enter- taining companion. In my congregation there was (out of the house in which I was boarded) hardly more than one family in which I could spend a leisure hour with much satisfaction, and that was Mr. James Caldwall’s,a Scotchman. Indeed, several Of the travelling Scotchmen who frequented the place, but-made no long stay at any time, were men of \ DR. PRIESTLEY. 39 very good sense ; and what I thought extraordi- nary, not one of them was at all Calvinistical. My engagements in teaching allowed me but little time for composing any thing while I was at Nantwich. There, however, I recomposed my *€ Observations on the Character and Reasoning of the Apostle Paul,” as mentioned before. For the use of my school, I then wrote an English _Grammar*, on a new plan, leaving out all such | | } i i] technical terms as were borrowed from other languages,.and had no corresponding modifica- tions n ours, as the future tense, &c. and to this I afterwards subjoined ‘ Observations for the Use of Proficients in the Languagef,”’ from the _notes which I collected at Warrington; where, being tutor in the languages and Belles Letters, | I gave particular attention to the English lan- guage, and intended to have composed a large treatise on the structure and present state of it. But dropping the scheme in another situation, I * Printed in 1761. + Printed in 1772, at London. His lectures on the «© Theory of Language and Universal Grammar,” were | printed the same year at Warrington. David Hume was made sensible of the gallicisms and peculiarities of his style by reading this grammar. He acknowledged it to Mr. Griffith, the bookseller, 40 MEMOIRS OF: lately gave such parts of my collection ‘as. I had made no use of, to Mr. Herbert Croft, of Ox- ford, on his communicating to me his design of | compiling a dictionary and grammar of our lan- guage. , The academy at Warrington was shale when I was at Needham, and Mr. Clark know- — ing the attention that I had given to the learned languages when | was at Davéntry, had then joined with Dr. Benson and Dr. Taylor, ia re-— commending me as tutor in the languages. But Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Aikin, whose qualifica- tions. were superior to mine, was justly preferred — : ¢ tome. However, on the death of Dr. Taylor, — and the advancement of Mr. Aikin to be tutor in divinity, I was imvited to succeed him. This I accepted, though my school promised to be © more gainful to me. But my employment at —=—.7 Warrington would be more liberal, and less ’ painful. It was also a means of extending my connexions. But, as I told the persons who brought me the invitation, viz. Mr. Seddon and’ Mr. Holland of Bolton, I should have preferred’ the office of teaching the mathematics and natu- ral philosophy, for which I had at that time a great predilection. or My removal to Warrington was in September, 1761, after a residence of just three years: at DR. PRIESTLEY. 41 Nantwich. In this new situation I continued six years, and in the second year I married a « daughter of Mr. Isaac Wilkinson, an ironmaster, near Wrexham, in Wales, with whose family I had become acquainted, in consequence of hay- ing the youngest son, William, at my school at Nantwich. This proved a-very suitable and happy connexion, my wife being a woman of an excellent understanding, much improved by read- ing, of great fortitude and strength of mind, and of a temper in the highest degree affectionate and generous ; feeling strongly for others, and little for herself. Also, greatly excelling in every thing relating to household affairs, she entirely relieved me of all concern of that kind, which allowed me to give all my time to the prosecution of my studies, and the other duties of my sta- tion. And though, in consequence of her father becoming impoverished, and wholly dependent on his children, in the latter part of his lifes I had little fortune with her, I unexpectedly found a great resource in her two brothers, who had be- come wealthy, especially the elder of them. At Warrington I had a daughter, Sarah, who was afterwards married to Mr. William Finch, of Heath Forge, near Dudley. _ Though at the time of my removal to War- 49 MEMOIRS OF rington, I had no particular fondness for the stu dies relating to my profession then, I applied t them with great assiduity ; and besides compos ing courses of * Lectures on the Theory of Lan guage,” and on ‘Oratory and Criticism,” o1 which my predecessor had lectured, f introducer lectures on ‘Tistory and General Policy,”’ o the “ Laws and Constitutions of England,” anc on the ** History of England.” This I did it consequence of observing that, though most ©, our pupils were young men designed for situa: tions in civil and active life, every article in the plan of their education was adapted to ths learned professions. In order to recommiend such studies as I intro. duced, I composed an “Essay on a Course 0 Liberal Education for Civil and Active Life,” ‘with “ Syllabuses”.of my three new courses af lectures ; and Dr. Brown having just then pub- lished a plan of education, in which he recom- mended it to be undertaken bythe state, I added ‘some *¢ Remarks on his Treatise,”’ shewing how inimical it was to liberty, and the natural rights of parents. This leading me to consider the subject of civil and political liberty, I published my thoughts on it, in an Essay on Govern- nent,” which in a second edition I much en- EEO DR. PRIESTLEY, 43 | Jarged, including in it what I wrote in answer to Dr. Balguy, on church authority, as well as my | animadversions on Dr. Brown. My <‘ Lectures on the Theory of Language -and Universal Grammar,” were printed for the ‘use of the students, but they were not published. ‘Those on ‘* Oratory and Criticism,” 1 published when I was with Lord Shelburne; and those on _ History and General Policy,” are now printed, and about to be published*. _ Finding no public exercises at Warrington, I introduced them there, so that afterwards every Saturday the tutors, all the students, and often _strangers, were assembled to hear English and Latin compositions, and sometimes to hear the “delivery of speeches, and the exhibition of scenes in plays. It was my province to teach elocution | and also logic, and Hebrew. The first of these Tretained; but after a year or two I exchanged the two last articles with Dr. Aikin, for the ciyil law, and one year I gave a course of lectures in anatomy. With a view to lead the students to a facility : * This work has been reprinted in Philadelphia, with additions, particularly of a chapter on the government of the United States, 44 MEMOIRS OF in writing English, I encouraged them to write in verse. This I did not with any design to make them poets, but to give them a greater fa= cility in writing prose, and this method I would recommend to all tutors. I was myself far froin having any pretension to the character of a poet; but in the early part of my life, I was a great versifier, and this, I believe, as wel] as my custom of writing after preachers, mentioned’ before, contributed to the ease with which I always wrote prose. Mrs. Barbauld has told me that it was the perusal of some verses-of mine, that first induced her to write any thing in verse, so that this country is in some measure indebted to me for one of the best ‘poets it can boast of. Several of her first poems were written when she was in my house, on occasions that occurred while she was there. It was while T was at i leth ses a that I fc lished my “ Chart of Biography,” though I had begun to construct it at Nantwich. Lord Wil- joneney of Parham, who lived in Lancashire, being pleased with the idea of it, I, with his consent, inscribed it to him; but he died before the publication of it: the ‘ Chart of History,” corresponding to it, I drew up some time after 4 Leeds, cele. DR. PRIESTLEY. 45 i was in this situation, when, going to Lon- Jon*, and being introduced to Dr. Price, Mr. Canton, Dr. Watson, (the physician) and Dr. Franklin, I was led to attend to the subject of ex- perimental philosophy, more than I had done before ; and having composed all the lectures I pad eccasion to deliver, and finding myself at wberty for any undertaking, I mentioned to Dr. franklin an idea that had occurred to me of writing the history of discoveries in electricity, which had been his favourite study. This I told aim might be an useful work, and that I would willingly undertake it, provided I could be fur- xished with the books necessary for the purpose. his he readily undertook, and my other friends assisting him in it, I set about the work, without aaving the least idea of doing any thing more chan writing a distinct and methodical account of all that had been done by others. Having, nowever, a pretty good machine, I was led, in he course of my writing the history, to endea- __* He always spent one month in every year in Lon. on, which was of great use tohim. He saw and heard great deal. He generally made additions to his library, nd his chemical apparatus. A new turn was frequently iven to his ideas. New and useful acquaintances were ormed, and old ones confirmed. ' 46 MEMOIRS OF vour to ascertain several facts which were dis- puted; and this led me by degrees into a large field of original experiments, in which I spared no expense that I could possibly furnish. These experiments employed a great propor- tion of my leisure time; and yet before the com- plete expiration of the year, in which I gave the plan of my work to Dr. Franklin, I sent him a copy of it in print. _In the same year, five hours of every day were employed in lectures, public or private, and one two months vacation I spent chiefly at Bristol, on a visit to my father-in-law. This I do not mention as a subject of boasting. For many persons haye done more in the same time; but as an answer to those who have ob- jected to some of my later writings, as hasty performances. - For none of my publications were better received than this * History of Elec- tricity,” which was the most hasty of them all. However, whether my publications have taken up more or less time, I am confident that more would not have contributed to their perfection, in any essential particular; and about any thing farther I have never been very solicitous. My object was not to acquire the character of a fine writer, but of an useful one. I can also truly say, that gain was never the chief object of any DR. PRIESTLEY. 4] f my publications. Several of them were writ- 2 with the prospect of ceriain loss. During the course of my electrical experiments 1 this year, I kept up a constant correspon- ence with Dr. Franklin, and the rest of my phi- ysophical friends in London; and my letters irculated among them all, as also every part of ny history as it was transcribed. This corres- jondence would have made a considerable vo- ume, and ittook up much time; but it was of reat use with respect to the accuracy of my ex- eriments, and the perfection of my work. _ After the publication of my ‘* Chart of Bio- ‘raphy,’ Dr. Percival of Manchester, then a stu- lent at Edinburgh, procured me the title of Doc- or of Laws, from that university; and not long fter my new experiments in electricity were the neans of introducing me into the Royal Society, vith the recommendation of Dr. Franklin, Dr.. atson, Mr. Canton, and Dr. Price. _In the whole time of my being at Warrington, was singularly happy in the society of my fel- ow tutors*, and of Mr. Seddon, the minister of, _* At Warrington he had for colleagues and successors, . John Taylor, author of the ‘‘Hebrew Concordance,” ind of several other works, on * Original Sin,” “* Atene- 48 MEMOIRS OF the place. We drank tea together every Satittl day, and our conversation was equally instructive and pleasing. I often thought it not a little ex- traordinary, that four persons, who had no pre= vious knowledge of each other, should have been brought to unite in conducting such a scheme as this, and all be zealous Necessarians, as we were, We were likewise all Arians, and the only sub- ject of much consequence on which we differed, was respecting the doctrine of atonement, concern- ing which Dr. Aikin held some obscure notions; Accordingly, this was frequently the topic of ouf friendly conversations. The only Socinian in the neighbourhood was Mr. Seddon, of Man- chester ; and we all wondered at him. But ther we never entered into any daibriani examinatio { of the subject. Receiving some of the pupils into ‘my own, house; I was by this means led to form some va- Juable friendships, but especially with Mr. Sa- muel Vaughan, a friendship which has continue¢ hitherto, has m a manner connected our fami lies, and will, I doubt not, continue through life. ment,” &ec. Dr. Aikin, the elder; Dr. Reinhold Forster, the naturalist and traveller; Dr, — ani Tr. Wahker. DR. PRIESTLEY. 49 etwo eldest of his sons were boarded with e. The tutors having sufficient society among hemselves, we had not much acquaintance out of the academy. Sometimes, however, I made n excursion to the towns in the neighbourhood. t Liverpool I was‘always received by Mr. Bent- ey, afterwards partner with Mr. Wedgwood, an of excellent taste, improved understanding, nd a good disposition, but an unbeliever in hristianity, which was therefore often the sub- ct of our conversation. He was then a wi- ower, and we generally, and contrary to my isual custom, satup late. At Manchester I was ways the guest of Mr. Potter, whose son Tho- as, was boarded with me. He was one of the vorthiest men that ever lived. At Chowbent I as much acquainted with Mr. Mort, .a man qually distinguished by his cheerfulness and li- erality of sentiment. Of the ministers in the neighbourhood, TI re- ollect with much satisfaction the interviews I ad with Mr. Godwin, of Gatecre; Mr. Hol- nd, of Bolton; and Dr. Enfield, of Liverpool, fterwards tutor at Warrington. Though all the tutors in my time lived in 1 the ost katie harmony, though we all exerted urselyes to the utmost, and there was no com- D 50 MEMOIRS OF. ’ plaint of want of discipline, the academy did n flourish. There had been an unhappy differen between Dr. Taylor and the trustees, in cons quence of which all his friends, who were num« rous, were our enemies; and “too many of tl subscribers, bemg probably weary. of the sul Seription, were willing to lay hold of any pri tence for dropping it, and of justifying the conduct afterwards, It is possible that in time we might have over come the prejudices we laboured under ;_ bi there being no prospect of things being any_be ter, and my wife having very bad health, on hi account chiefiy I wished for a removal, thoug nothing could be more agreeable to me at th ume than the whole of my employment, and a the laborious part of it was over. The term also on which we took boarders, viz. fiftee pounds per annum, and my salary being onl one hundred pounds per annum, with a hous it was not possible, even living with the ereate frugality, to make any provision for a family. — was there six -years, most laboriously employet for nothing more than a bare subsistence. ‘ therefore listened to an invitation to take charge of the congregation ‘of Mill-hill chapel, ¢ Leeds, where I was pretty well known, and thi ther I removed in September, 1767. L ‘ a DR. PRIESTLEY. 51 | Though while I was at Warrington, it was no art of my duty to preach, I-had from choice sontinued the practice ; and wishing to keep up Ihe character of a dissenting minister, I chose lo be ordained while I was there ; and though I vas far from having conquered my tendency to tammer, and probably never shall be able to lo it effectually, I had, by taking much pains, phis impediment had increased so much, that I pnce informed the people, that I must give up the business of preaching, and confine myself to my school. However, by making a practice of eading very loud and very slow every day, I at leneth succeeded in getting in some measure the detter of this defect, but I am still obliged occa- sionally to have recourse to the same expedient. | At Leeds I continued six years very happy with a liberal, friendly, and harmonious congre- pation, to whom my services, (of which I was Mot sparing) were very acceptable. Here I had © unreasonable prejudices to contend with, so at I had full scope for every kind of exertion; nd I can truly say that I always considered the fice of a Christian minister as the most honour- able of any upon carth, and in the studies pro- per to it J always took the greatest pleasure. Deg 52 MEMOIRS OF “In this situation I naturally resumed my aj plication to speculative theology, which had o cupied me at Needham, and which had bee interrupted by the business of teaching at Nant wich and Warrington. By reading with care «¢ Dr. Lardner’s Letter on the Logos,” I becam what is called a Socinian soon after my settl ment at Leeds; and after giving the closest at tention to the subject, I have seen more ani more reason to be satisfied with that opinion this day, and likewise to be more impressed wi the idea of its importance. — | On reading Mr. “ Mann’s Dissertation on tt Times of the Birth and Death of Christ,” I we convinced that he was right in his opmion our Saviour’s ministry having continued litt more than one year, andon this plan I drew o a‘ Harmony of the Gospels,” the outline ¢ which I first published in the * Theological R pository,” and afterwards separately and at larg ‘both in-Greek and English, with notes, and ‘occasional paraphrase. In thesame work.I pub lished my ‘* Essay on the Doctrine of Atoné ment,” improved from the tract published | Dr. Lardner, and also my animadversions on tl reasoning of the Apostle Paul. The plan of this “ Repository” occurred 4 me on seeing some notes that Mr. Turner, ¢ DR. PRIESTLEY- 53 Vakefield, had drawn up on several passages. of sripture, which I was concerned to think should = lost. He very much approved of my prope- | of an oceasional publication, for the purpose f preserving such original observations as .could therwise probably never see the light. Of this ‘ork I published three volumes while I was. at eeds, and he never failed to give me an article yr every number of which they were composed. Giving particular attention to the duties of my fice, I wrote several tracts for ihe use of my ongregation, as two “¢ Catechisms,”’ an ‘ Ad- ress to Masters of Families on the Subject of amily Prayer,” a ‘* Discourse on the Lord’s upper,” and on ‘Church Discipline,” and | Institutes of Natural and Reyealed Religion.” lere I formed three classes of catechumens, and 90k great pleasure in instructing them in the rinciples of religion. In this respect J hope 5 example has been of use in other congrega- ons. of The, first of my controversial treatises: was» itten here in reply to some angry remarks on, y * Discourse on the Lord’s Supper,” by Mr, enn, a.clergyman in the neighbourhood. L o wrote ** Remarks on Dr. Balguy’s Sermon. n Church Authority,’’ and on some paragraphs Judge ‘ Blackstone’s Commentaries,” relat- 54 MEMOIRS oP ingto the Dissenters. To the two former reply was made ; but to the last the judge replic in a small pamphlet; on which I addressed letter to him in the St. James’s Chronicle, This controversy led me to print another pam philet, entitled, ‘* The Principles and Conduct the Dissenters, with respect to the Civil and clesiastical Constitution of this Country.” Wi the encouragement of Dr. Price and Dr. Kippi Lalso wrote an “ Address to Protestant Dissen ters as such ; but without my name. Several ¢ these pamphlets having been animadverted up by an anonymous acquaintance, who though had laid too much stress on the principles of ¢ Dissenters, I wrote a defence of my conduct i letters addressed to him. . The Methodists being very numerous in Leed and many of the lower sort of my own hearé listening to them, I wrote * An Appeal to Serious Professors of Christianity,” ‘ An Tilus tratign of Particular Texts,” and republished «Trial of Elwall,” all in the cheapest mann possible. Those small tracts had a great effe in establishing my hearers in liberal principles 6 religion, and in a short time had a far more tensive influence than I could have imagined, By this time more than thirty thousand copies the ‘© Appeal,” have been dispersed. ~~ DR. PRIESTLEY. 55 Besides these theoretical and controversial dieces, I wrote while I was at Leeds, my ‘‘ ’ssay Government,” mentioned before; my “* Eng- ish Grammar,”’ enlarged 3 a “Familiar Intro- uction to the Study of Electricity; a * Prea- jse on Perspective;” and my ‘ Chart of His- ory;” and alsosome anonymous pieces in favour of civil liberty during the persecution of Mr. ilkes, the principal of which was ‘‘An Address to Dissenters on the Subject of the Difference jith America,” which I wrote at the request of Dr. Franklin, and Dr. Fothergil. _ But nothing of a nature foreign to the duties of my profession, engaged my attention while F was at Leeds, so much as the prosecution of my ‘experiments relating to electricity, and especially the doctrine of air. The last I was led into in onsequence of inhabiting a house adjoining to a public brewery, where I at first amused myself with making experiments on the fixed air which I found ready made in the process of fermenta- tion, When | removed from that house, I was under the necessity of making the. fixed air for myself ; and one experiment leading to another, as I have distinctly and faithfully noted in my various publications om the subject, I by degrees contrived a convenient apparatus for the purpose, but of the cheapest kind. 56 MEMOIRS OF 7 When I began these experiments, I knew ve htile of chemisiry, and had in a manner no ide on the subject before I attended a course of che mical lectures, delivered in the academy at War rington, by Dr. Turner, of Liverpool. But have often thought that upon the whole, thi circumstance was no disadvantage to me; as ir this situation I was led to devise an apparatus, and processes of my own, adapted to my pecu= liar views. Whereas, if I had been previously accustomed to the usual chemical processes, should not have so easily thought of any other ; and without new modes of operation I shdeld hardly have discovered any thing materially new. ’ My first publication on the subject of air, was in 1772. It was a small pamphlet, on the me~ thod of impregnating water with fixed air ; which being immediately translated into French, ex- f * This necessary attention to economy, also aided the simplicity of his apparatus, and was the means in some degree ofimproving it in this important respect. This plainness of his apparatus rendered his experiments easy to be repeated, and gave them accuracy. In this respect, he was like his great contemporary, Scheele, whose dis. coveries were made by means easy to be procured, and al small expense. The French chemists have adopted < practice quite the reverse, Lewd wy r : : ited a great degree of attention to the subject, nd this was much increased by the publication f my first paper of experiments, in a large arti- F of the ‘Philosophical Transactions,” the ear following, for which I received the gold aedal of the society. My method of impreg- ting water with fixed air, was considered at a ieeting of the College of Physicians, before hom I made the experiments, and by them it recommended to the Lords of the Admiralty, y whom they had been summoned for the pur- ie as likely to be of use in the sea scurvy. The only person in Leeds who gave muchvat- =ntion to my experiments was Mr, Hey, asur- eon. He was a zealous Methodist, and wrote wers to some of my theological tracts; but e always conversed with the greatest freedom DR. PRIESTLEY. 57 philosophical subjects, without mentioning y thing relating to theology. When I left eds, he begged of me the earthen trough, in hich I had made all my experiments on air hile I was there. It was such an one as is ere commonly used for washing linen- Having succeeded so well in the “ History of lectricity,’” I was induced to undertake the his- ry of all the branches of experimental philo-. hy; and at Leeds I gave out proposals for at purpose, and. published the “ History of D5 58 MEMOIRS OF Discoveries relating to Vision, Light, and Co. lours.” This work, also, I believe I executed t general satisfaction, and being an undertaking great expense, I was under the necessity of pub. lishing it by subscription. The sale, howevet was not such as to encourage me to proceed witl a work of so much labour and expense; so tha after purchasing a great number of books, t enable me to finish my undertaking, I was obliges to abandon it, and to apply wholly to origii experiments. In writing the History of Discoveries, relating to Vision, I was much assisted by Mr. Miche the discoverer of the method of making artifici magnets. Living at Thornhill, not very fa from Leeds, I frequently visited him, and w very happy in his society, as I also was in th of Mr. Smeaton, who lived still nearer to He made mea present of his excellent air-pum which I constantly use to this day. Mavi strongly recommended his construction of th instrument, it is now generally used; where: before that, hardly any had been made duri; the twenty years which had elapsed after 1] account that he had given of it in the * * Phil sophical Transactions.” d I was also instrumental in reviving the use ( large electrical machines, and batteries, 1 in el DR. PRIESTLEY. 59 tricity, the generality of electrical machines be- ing little more than play things at the time that began my experiments. The first very large lectrical machine was made by Mr. Nairne, in consequence of a request made to me by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, to get him the best machine that we could make in England. This, nd another that he made for Mr. Vaughan, ere constituted on a plan of my own. But afterwards Mr. Nairne made large machines on a more simple and improved construction ; and in consideration of the service which I had ren- ered him, he made me a present of a pretty large machine of the same kind. The review of my “History of Electricity,” by Mr. Bewley, who was acquainted with Mr. prichell, was the means of opening a correspon- dence between us, which was the source of much satisfaction to meas long as he lived. I in- stantly communicated to him an account of every new experiment that I made, and, in re- turn, was favoured with his remarks upon them. All that he published of his own were articles in the « Appendices” which are ingenious and vaiuable. Always pub- to my volumes on air, all of lishing in this manner, he used to call himself a] > 3 my satellite. There was a vein of pleasant wit and humour in al! his correspondence, which st 60 MEMOIRS OF added greatly to the value of it. His letters to me would have made several volumes, and mine to him still more. When he found himself dangerously ill, he made a point of paying me a visit before he died ; and he made a journey from» Nortolk to Birmingham, accompanied by Mrs. Bewley, for that purpose; and after spending, about a week with me, he went to his friend, Dre Burney, and at his house he died. While I was at Leeds, a proposal was made tal me, to accompany Captain Cook in his second voyage to the South Seas. As the terms were very advantageous, I consented to it, and the heads of my congregation had agreed to keep an assistant to supply my place during my absence. But Mr. Banks informed me that I was objected to by some clergymen in the Board of. Longi-. tude, who had the direction of this business, on account of my religious principles; and presently: after I heard that Dr. Forster, a person far better qualified for the purpose, had got the appoint- ment. AsTI had barely acquiesced in the propo- sal, this was no disappointment to me, and I was much better employed at home, even with respect to my philosophical pursuits. My know-. ledge of natural history was not sufficient for the undertaking 3, but at that time I should, by application, haye been able to supply my. defi. DR. PRIESTLEY. 61 ‘ciency, though now I am sensible I could not do it. » At Leeds I was particularly happy in my in- tercourse with Mr. Turner, of Wakefield, and ‘occasionally, with Mr. Cappe, of York; and Mr. Graham, of Halifax. And here it was that, in consequence of a visit which in company with Mr.-Turner, I made to the Archdeacon Black- burne, at Richmond, (with whom 1 had kept up a correspondence from the time that his son was under my care at Warrington) I first met with Mr. Lindsey, then of Catterick, and a corres- pondence and intimacy commenced, which has been the source of more reil satisfaction to me than any other circumstance in my whole life. He soon discovered to me that he was uneasy in is situation, and had thoughts of quitting it. At first I was not forward to encourage him in t, but rather advised him to make what altera- ion he thought proper in the offices of the hurch, and leave it to his superiors to dismiss im if they chose. But his better judgment, nd greater fortitude, led him to give up all con- exion with the established church of his own ccord. This took place about the time of my leaving Leeds, and it was not until long after this, that I as apprized of all the difficulties he had to strug< 62 MEMOIRS OF gle with before he could accomplish his purpose. But the opposition made to it by his nearest friends, and those who might have been expected to approve of the step that he took, and to have endeavoured to make it easy to him, was one of the greatest. Notwithstanding this, he left Cat- terick, where he had lived in ‘affluence, idolized by his parish, and went to London without any certain prospect, where he lived im two rooms on a ground floor, until by the assistance of his friends, he was able to pay for the use of the up- per apartments, which the state of his health rendered necessary. In this humble situation have I passed some of the most pleasing hours of my life, when, in consequence of living with Lord Shelburne, I spent my winters in London. On this occasion it was that my intimacy with Mr. Lindsey was much improved, and an entire concurrence in every thing that we thought to be for the interest of Christianity, gave fresh warmth to our friendship. To his society I owe much of my zeal for the doctrine of the di- vine unity, for which he made so great sacrifices, and in the defence of which he so much distin guished himself, so as to oecasion a new: vera in the history of religion in this country. As we became more intimate, confiding in hid better taste and judgment, and also in that 4 DR. PRIESTLEY. 63 ‘Mrs. Lindsey, a woman of the same spirit and | views, and in all respects a help-meet for him, [ never chose to publish any thing of moment re- lating to theology, without consulting him; and | hardly ever ventured to insert any thing that they disapproved, being sensible that my disposition led to precipitancy, to which their coolness was a seasonable check. At Leeds began my intercourse with Mr. Lee, | of Lincoln’s Inn. Hewas a native of the place, -and exactly one week older than myself. At that time he was particularly connected with the congregation, and before he was married spent ‘his vacations with us. His friendship was a “source of much greater satisfaction and advan- | tage to meafter I came to reside in London, and especially at the time of my leaving Lord Shel- -burne, when my prospects wore rather a cloudy aspect. When I visited London, during my residence at Leeds, commenced my particular friendship for Dr. Price, to whom I had been introduced several years before by Dr. Bensa 3 our first in- terview. having been at Mr. Brownsword’s, at ‘Newington, where they were members of a small literary society, in which they read various ‘compositions. At that time Dr. Benson read a ‘paper which afterwards made a section in his 64 MEMOIRS OF “Life of Christ.” For the most amiable sim- plicity of character, equalled only by that of Mr. Lindsey, a truly Christian spirit, disinterested — patriotism, and true candour, no man in my opinion ever exceeded Dr. Price. His candour — will appear the more extraordinary, considering his warm attachments to the theological ‘senti- ments which he embraced in very early life. I shall ever reflect upon our friendship as a circum- stance highly honourable, as it was a source of | peculiar satisfaction tu me. 5 Thad two sons born to me at Leeds, Joseph and William, and though I was yery happy” there, I was tempted to leave it after continuing — there six years, to go into the family of the Earl of Shelburne, now the Marquis of Lansdowne ; he stipulating to give me two hundred and fifty | pounds per annum, a house to live in, and a cer- 3 tainty for life in case of his death, or of my ae paration from him; whereas at Leeds my oye was only one hundred: guineas per annum, and a house, which was not quite sufficient for the sub- sistence of my “family, without a possibility of making a provision for them after mry death. I had been recommended to Lord Shelburne by Dr. Price, as a person qualified to be a literary companion to him. In this situation, my family being at Calne, in Wiltshire, near to his lord- DR. PRIESTLEY. 65 ‘hip’s seat at Bowood, I continued seven years, pending the summer with my family, and a sreat part of the winter in his lordship’s house in sondon. My office was nominally that of J. rrarian, but I had little employment as such, vesides arranging his books, taking a catalogue them, and of his manuscripts, which were iumerous, and making an index to his collection f private papers. In fact I was with him asa iend, and the second year made with him the ur of Flanders, Holland, and Germany, as far g Strasburgh ; and after spending a month at aris, returned to England. This was in the ear 1774. | This little excursion made me more sensible an I should otherwise have been of the benefit foreign travel, eyen without the advantage of uch conversation with foreigners. The very a of new countries, new buildings, new cus- s, &c. and the very heariag of an unintelligi- e new language, gives new ideas, and tends to 1 arge the mind. To me this little time was tremely pleasing, especially as I saw every ing to the greatest advantage, and without any xlety or trouble, and had an opportunity of ing and conversing with every person of emi- ce, wherever we came; the political charac- ts by his lordship’s connexions, and the hi ite~ 66 MEMOIRS OF rary ones by my own. I was soon, howevei tired of Paris, and chose to spend my evening at the hotel, in company with a few literar friends. Fortunately for me, Mr. Magellan be ing at Paris, at the same time, spent most of th evenings with me; and as I chose to return be fore his lordship, he accompanied me to Lon don, and made the journey very pleasing to me he being used to the country, the language, an) the manners of it, which I was not. He ha seen much of the world, and his conversatio: during our journey was particularly interesting t me. Indeed, in London, both before and afte this time, I always found him very friendly, es pecially in every thing that related to my philo sophical pursuits. As I was sufficiently apprized of the fact, I di not wonder, as I otherwise should have done, t find all the philosophical persons to whom I wa introduced at Paris, unbelievers in Christianity and even professed Atheists. AsI chose on a occasions to appear as a Christian, I was told b some of them, that I was the only person the had ever. met with, of whose understanding the had any opinion, who professed to beliey Christianity. But on interrogating them on th subject, I soon found that they had given no pro: per attention to it, and did not really know wha . DR. PRIESTLEY. 67 Christianity was. This was also the case with fa great part of the company that I saw at Lord Whelburne’s. But [hope that my always avow- jing myself to be a Christian, and holding myself combat their prejudices with some advantage, land with this view I wrote, while I was with Lord Shelburne, the first part of my ‘‘ Letters to Philosophical Unbeliever,”’ in proof of the doctrines of a God and a providence, and to this if have added during my residence at Birming- ham, a second part, in defence of the evidences jof Christianity. The first part being ‘replied to jy a person who called himself Mr. Hammon, f Iwrote a reply to his piece, which has hitherto | Pinaited unanswered: I am happy te find that arises from the weight it may give to my at- tempts to defend Christianity, and to free it from. hose corruptions which prevent its reception with philosophical and thinking persons, whose 63 MEMOIRS OF influence with the vulgar, and the unthinking, is very great. With Lord Shelburne I saw a great variety of characters; but, of our neighbours in Wiltshire, the person I had the most frequent opportp- nity of seeing, was Dr. Frampton, a clergyman, whose history may serve as a lesson to many. No man, perhaps, was ever better qualified to please in a convivial hour, or had greater talents for conversation and, repartee ; in consequence of which, though there were several things very disgusting about him, his society was much, courted, and many promises of preferment were made to him. To these, notwithstanding his knowledge of the world, and. of high life, he gave too much credit; so that he spared no ex- pense to gratify his taste and appetite, until he was universally involved in debt; and though his. friends made some efforts to relieve him, he was. confined a year in the county prison at a time when his bodily infirmities required the greatest, indulgences; and he obtained his release but a short time before his death, on condition of his living on a scanty allowance; the income of his livings (amounting to more than four hundre pounds per annum) being im the hands of hi creditors. Such was the end of a man who kept the table in a rvar. DR. PRIESTLEY. 69 ’ Dr. Frampton being a high churchman, he could not at first conceal his aversion to me, and ‘endeayoured to do me some il! offices. But be- inga man of letters, and despising the clergy in his neighbourhood, he became at last much at- ached to me; and in his distresses was satisfied, I believe, that I was one of his most sincere friends. With some great defects he had some onsiderable virtues, and uncommon abilities, hich appeared more particularly in extempore speaking. He always preached without notes, d when, on some-occasions, he composed his ermons, he could, if he chose to do it, repeat he whele verbatim. He frequently extempo- ized in verse, in a great variety of measures. In Lord Shelburne’s family, was Lady Ara- ella Denny, who is well known by her exten- ive charities. She is {for she is still living) a oman of good understanding, and great piety. he had the care of his lordship’s two sons, until hey came under the care of Mr. Jervis, who was heir tutor during my continuance in the family. lis lordship’s younger son, who died suddenly, ad made astonishing attainments both in know- edge and piety, while very young, far beyond y thing that I had an opportunity of observing my hfe. 70 MEMOIRS OF When I went to his lordship, I had materials for one volume of ‘ Experiments on Air,” which I soon after published, and inscribed to him ; and before I left him, I published three volumes more, and had materials for a fourth, which I published immediately on my settling in Birmingham. He encouraged me in the proses cution of my philosophical inquiries, and allowed me forty pounds per annum for expenses of that kind, and was pleased to see me make experime Notwithstanding the attention that I gave to philosophy in this situation, 1 did not discon= tinue my other studies, especially in theology and metaphysics. Here I wrote my ** Miscele laneous Observations relating to Education,” and published my ‘Lectures on Oratory ané Criticism,” which I dedicated to Lord Fitzmau rige, Lord Shelburne’s eldest son. Here also published the third and last part of my ‘Insti: tutes of Natural and Revealed Religion ;’’ 2 having in the preface attacked the principles o Dr. Reid, Dr. Beattie, and Dr. Oswald, wit respect to their doctrine of common sense, whic they made to supersede all rational inquiry in the subject of religion, I was led to consider the system in a separate work, which, though writ DR. PRIESTLEY. 71 en in a manner that I do not entirely approve, aas, I hope, upon the whole, been of service te the cause of free inquiry and truth. In the preface I had expressed my belief of the Hoctrine of Philosophical Necessity, but without y design to pursue the subject, and also my sreat admiration of Dr. Hartley’s theory of the uman mind, as indeed I had taken many oppor- unities of doing before. This led me to pub- ish that part of his ‘‘ Observations on Man,” which related to the doctrine of association of deas, detached from the doctrine of vibrations, orefixing “ Three Dissertations,” explanatory of his general system. In one of these I expressed some doubt of the immateriality of the sentient principle in man; and the outcry that was made on what I casually-expressed on that subject can hardly be imagined. In all the newspapers, and kaost of the periodical publications, I was repre- sented as an unbeliever in revelation, and no bet- ter than an Atheist. This led me to give the closest attention to the subject, and the consequence was the firmest Persuasion that man is wholly material, and that our only prospect of immortality is from the hristian doctrine of a resurrection. I therefore digested my thoughts on the subject, and pub- lished my “ Disquisitions relating to Matter and (2 MEMOIRS OF Spirit:” also the subjects of * Socinianism” ar «« Necessity,” being nearly connected with tl doctrine of the materiality of man, I advanc several considerations from the state of opinioi in ancient times in favour of the former; and i a separate volume, discussed more at large whi related to the latter, dedicating the first yolum of this work to Mr. Graham, and the second t Dr. Jebb. It being probable that this publication woul be unpopular, and might be a means of bringin} odium on my patron, several attempts were mad by his friends, though none by himself, to dis suade me from persisting in it. But being, as, thought, engaged in the cause of importan truth, I proceeded without regard to any conse | quences, assuring them that this publicatior should not be injurious to his lordship. 4 In order, however, to proceed with the sreated caution, in a business of such moment, I desirec some of my learned friends, and especially D Price, to peruse the work before it was pub lished ; and the remarks that he made upon it | to a free and friendly discussion of the sever, subjects of it, which we afterwards publish jointly; and it remains a proof of the possibili of discussing subjects mutually considered as the greatest importance, with the most perfe DR. PRIESTLEY. 73 toed temper, and without the least diminution of riendship. This work I dedicated to our com- non friend Mr. Lee. "In this situation, I published my ‘ Harmony bf the Gospels,” on the idea of the public mi- istry of Jesus having continued little more than pne year, a scheme which [first proposed in the © Theological Repository” and the Bishop of aterford having in his *‘ Harmony,” published . defence of the common hypothesis, viz. that of its having been three years, I-addressed a Jet- er to him on the subject, and to this he made a reply in-a separate work. The controversy pro- feeded to several publications on both sides, in be most amicable manner, and the Jast “ Post- lcript,” was published jointly by us both. hough my side of the question was without ny advocates that I know of, and had only been dopted by Mr. Mann, who seemed to have had fo followers, there are few persons, I believe, sho have attended to our discussion of the sub- et, who are not satisfied that I have sufficiently roved what I had advanced. This controversy vas not finished until after my removal to Bir- ingham. ‘ Reflecting on the time that I spent with Lord helburne, being as a guest in the family, I can uly say that I was not at all fascinated with that E 74 MEMOIRS OF anode of life. Instead of looking back upon with regret, one of the greatest: subjects of m present thankfulness, is the change of that situ ation for the one in which Tam new placed 5 an) yet I was far frem being unhappy there, muel less so than those who are born to such a’ state and pass ali their lives init. These are generall) unbappy from the want of nécessary employ, ment; on which account chiefly there appears t 6 life, who are above the fear of want, and yet haw a sufficient motive for a constant exertion be much more happiness in the middle classes their faculties ; and who have always some ot object besides amusement. I used to make no scruple of maintaining, tha there is not only most virtue, and most happi: dle classes of life. For in proportion as men pas: more of their time in the society of their equals they get a better established habit of governing their tempers; they attend more to the feelings of others, and are more disposed to accommodat themselves to them. On the other hand, th passions of persons in higher life, having bee less controlled, are more apt to be inflamed; th idea of their rank and superiority to others, see dom quits them; and though they are in the ha bit of concealing their feelings, and disguisi DR. PRIESTLEY. 75 heir passions, it is not always 30 well done,.but hat persons. of ordinary discernment may per- | eive. what they inwardly suffer. On this ac= Jount, they are really entitled to compassiohy. it ing the almost unavoidable consequetice: of jheir education and’ mode of life. But when he mind is not hurt in‘such a situation, when’ a erson born to affluence can lose sight of himself, d truly feel and act for others, the character is 0 godlike, as shews that this inequality of con- ition is not without its use. Like the general ‘iscipline of life,-it is for the present lost on the Ireat mass, but on a few it produces what no ‘ther state of things could do. The greatest part of the time that I spent with ord Shelburne, I passed with much satisfaction, is lordship always behaving to me with uniform oliteness, and his guests with respect. But bout two years before I left him, I perceived ase marks of ee thougtt I BEVEL nat he pita to aise me an establishment in E@ 76 ‘MEMOIRS OF Ireland, where he had large property. This gay me an opportunity of acquainting him, that if h ~ chose to dissolve the connexion, it should be oO the terms expressed in the writings, which w mutually signed when it was formed, in conse quence of which I should be-entitled to an an nuity of an hundred and fifty pounds, and then | would provide for myself, and to this he readil acceded. He told Dr. Price that he wished ou separation to be amicable, and I assured hin that nothing should be wanting on my part t make it truly so. Accordingly, i; expected tha he would receive my visits when I should be oc casionally in London, but he declined them. However, when I had been some years settl at Birmingham, he sent an especial messenger and common friend, to engage me again in service, having, as that friend assured me, a ‘dl sense of the loss of Lord Ashburton (Mr. Dan ning) by death, and of Colonel Barre, by his b coming almost blind, and his want of some ab and faithful friend, such as he had exper ienc@ in me; with-other expressions more ‘ibe than those. I did not chuse, however, ona consideration, to-leave the very eligible situatio in which I now am, but expressed my readine to do him any service in my power. His lo ship’s enemies have insinuated that he was n 5 DR. PRIESTLEY. az minctual in the payment of my annuity; but he contrary is true: hitherto nothing could have een More punctual, and I have no reason to” uppose that it will ever be otherwise. At Calne I had another son born to me, vhom, at Lord Shelburne’s request, I called denry. | Tt was atthe time of my leaving Lord Shel- ume, that I found the great value of Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey’s friendship, in such a manner as I sertainly had no expectation of when our ac- huaintance commenced ; especially by their in- roducing me to the notice of Mrs. Rayner, one 5f his hearers, and most zealous friends. Be nitee my allowance from Lord helburne was larger than that which I had at | ceds, yet my family growing up, and my €X- deuses, on this and other accounts, increasing more than in proportion, I ‘was barely able to” support my removal. But my situation being intimated to Mrs. Rayner, besides smaller sums, 78 MEMOIRS OF |. A the first Christian: characters that I was ever acs quainted with, having a cultivated comprehen- sive mind, equal to any subject of theology ot metaphysics; intrepid in the cause of truth, and most rationally pious. Spending so much of my time in London, was the means of increasing my intimacy with both Mr. Lindsey and Mr. Lee, our common mol who, amidst the bustle of polities, always pre- served his attachment to theology, and the caus of truth. 'The Sunday I always spent with Mr. Lindsey, attending the service of his chapel; and sometimes officiating for him; and with him and Mrs. Lindsey T generally: spent the evening. of that day at Mr. Lee’s, who then admitted no other company, and seldom have I enjoyed so- ciety with more relish. } My winter’s residence in London was th means of improving my acquaintance with Dr, Franklin. I was seldom many days withoul seeing him, and being members of the sam ¢ elub, we constantly returned together. The difs ference with America breaking out at this time, our conversation was chiefly of a political nature, and I-can bear witness that he was so far from promoting, as was generally supposed, that he took every method in his power to prevent @ rupture between the two countries. He urge DR. PRIESTLEY. 79 xomuch the doctrine of forbearance, that. for ome time he was unpopular with the: Ameri- tans on that account, as too much a. friend to reat Britain. His advice to them-was: to bear every thing for the present, as they were sure in ine to out-grow all their.grievances ; as it could ot be in ‘the power of the mother country to op- press them long. ’ He dreaded the war, and often sais that, if the Hifference should come to: an open rupture; it would be a war of fen years, and he should not live:to:see.the end of it. Inreality the war lasted English, :he used ‘to:'say, may take all cour great. towns, -but that will not give them possession of © e country. The last day that-he spentin Eng- land, having given out that'he should leave Lon- don the. day before, we passed together, without any other company ; and much of the time was ployed in reading American’ newspapers, es=- he read the addresses: tothe inhabitants: of.- oston, from the places in the neighbourhood, the tears trickled down his cheeks. Et .is.much\to be lamented, that a man of Dr, “ Boston Port Bill,”- met with in America? and - * 80 MEXOILRS OF Frauklin’s general good character, and great in- fluence, should have been an unbeliever in Chris- tianity, and also have done so much as he did tc make others unbelievers. To me, however, he “acknowledged that he had not given so much attention as he ought to have.done, to the eyvi- dences of Christianity, and desired me to recom- mend to him.a few treatises on the subject, such as I thought most deserving of his notice, but not of great length, promising to read them, and give me his sentiments on them. Accordingly, I recommended to him Hartley’s evidences of Christianity in his observations on man, and what d had then written on the subject in my ‘< Institutes of Natural and Revealed Religion.” But the American war breaking outsoon after, I " do not believe that he ever found himself. suffi- ciently at leisure for the diseussion. } have kept up a correspondence with him oecasionally, ever since ; and three of his letters to me were, with his consent, published in his miscellaneous works, in quarto. The first of them, written immediately on his landing in America, is very striking. About three years before the dissolution of my connexion with Lord Shelburne, Dr. Fothergill, with whom I had always lived on terms of much intimacy, haying observed, as he said, that many | DR. PRIESTLEY. Sf of my experiments had not been carried to their proper extent on account of the expense that would have attended them, proposed to me a subscription from himself and some of his friends, to supply me with whatever sums I } should want for that purpose, and named a hun- dred pounds perannum. This large subscrip- tion I declined, lest the discovery of it (by the use that I should, of course, make of it) should give umbragecto Lord Shelburne, but I consented to accept of forty pounds per annum, which from that time he regularly paid me, from the contr- bution of himself, Sir Theodore Jansen, Mr. Constable, and Sir George Saville. On my leaving Lord Shelburne, which was | attended with the loss of one half of my income, Dr. Fothergill proposed an enlargement of my allowance for my experiments, and likewise for my maintenance, without being under the ne- _ cessity of giving my time to pupils, which I must otherwise have done. And, considering the ge- nerosity with which this voluntary offer was made by persons who could well afford it, and who thought me qualified to serve the interests of science, I thought it right to accept of it : and I preferred it to any pension from the court, offers of which were more than once made by E_S power to shew my gratitude to my friends, and 82 MEMOIRS OF . persons who homens they could have — one for me. a As itwwas my wish to do what might be in my benefactors, that suggested the idea of writing these memoirs, I hell subjoin a list of their | names. Someof the subscriptions were made | with a view to defray the expense of my experi- ments only ; but the greater part of the subscri- bers were persons who were equally friends to my theological studies. f. } The persons who made me this regular an-— nual allowance, were Dr.’Watson and his son, Mr. Wedgwood, Mr. Moseley, Mr. S. Salte, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Radcliffe, Mr. Remington, Mr. . Strutt, of Derby; Mr. Shore, Mr. Reynolds, of Paxton ; Messrs. Galton, father, and son, and _ the Rey. Mr. Simpson. Besides the persons whose names appear in . this list, as regular subscribers, there were other persons who, without chusing to be known as” such, contributed no less to my ‘support, and | some considerably more. My chief benefactress was’ Mrs. Rayner, and next to her Dr. Heberden, equally distinguished for his love of religious truth, and his zeal to pro- mote science, Such also is the character of Mr. 4 “DR. PRIESTLEY. Cee 83 Payleur, of Shrewsbury, ‘who has’ at different ‘times remitted me considerable sums, chiefly to. dlefray the ‘expenses incurred. by my: smilacitime inquiries and publications. CA Mr. Parker, ‘of Fleet-street; very: generously : supplied me with every instrament that I wanted in glass, particularly. a capital burnimg lens, six- teen inches in diameter. All his benefactions in: ‘this way would have amounted to 2 considerable ‘ sum. Mr. Wedgewood also, ‘besides his annual: enefaction, supplied me with every thing that T. wanted made of pottery, such as retorts, tubes, ‘&c. which the account of my experiments will. shew to have been of great use tome... / =" ' my intimacy with Mr. William’ Russell, whose public spirit, and zeal in’ every good cause, can’. Nardly be exceeded.» My- obligations to him were various and constant, so as ‘not to be: estimated by sums of money. At his proposal I- doubt not, . some of the heads of ‘the congregation made mé. a present-of two hundred pounds, to assist mein Ty theological publications. Laie Mr. Lee ‘shewed himself particularly my friend, at the time that I ‘left Lord Shelburne, assisting me in the difficulties with which Iwas then pressed, and continuing to befriend me af- terwards by seasonable benefactions. By him it. On my removal to Birmingham, commenced. ,” B4 MEMOIRS OF ie | was hinted to me during the administration of Lord Rockingham, with whom he had great in= fluence, that I might have a pension from the government, to assist in defraying the expense of my experiments. Another hint of the. same kind was given me in the beginning of Mr. Pitt’ $ administration, by a bishop,. in. whose- power it was to have procured it from him. But in both cases I declined the overture, wishing to” preserve: myself independent of every thing connected, with the court, and preferring the assistance of generous and opulent individuals, lovers of sei ence, and also lovers.of liberty. Without assist- ance I could not have carried on my Scie | except on a very small scale, and under grea disadvantages. Mr. Galton, before I had any cainetnisin ) being personally acquainted with him, had, the death of Dr. Fothergill, taken up his sub | scription. His son did the same, and the friend- ship of the latter has added much to the happi- ness. of my situation here*. Seldom, if ever. have I known two persons of such cultivate minds, pleasing manneys, and liberal disposi tions, as he and Mrs. Galton. The latter had the greatest attachment imaginable to my wife. * Birmingham: DR. PRIESTLEY. _ 85 Mr. Saite was zealous in promoting the sub- scriptions to my experiments, and moreover pro- posed to take one of my sons as an apprentice, without any fee. But my brother-in-law mak- Ing the same offer, I gave it the preference : Mr. Wedgwood, who has distinguished himself by his application to philosophical pursuits, as welt _as by his great success in the improvements of his manufactory, was very zealous to serve me,. _and urged me to accept of a much larger allow- “ance than I chose. The favours that I received from my two bro- _thers-in-law, deserve my most grateful acknow- ledgments. ‘They acted the part of kind and generous relations, especially at the time when I most wanted assistance. Ht was in consequence of Mr. John Wilkinson’s proposal, who wished to have us nearer to him, that, being undeter- mined where to settle, EF fixed upon Birmingham, where he soon provided a house for me. _ _ My apology for accepting of these large bene- factions is, that besides the great expense of my philosophical and even my theological studies, _ and the education of three sons and a daughter, the reputation I had, justly or unjustly acquired, | brought on me a train of expenses not easy to: | describe, to avoid, or to estimate; so that with- 86 MEMOIRS OF out so much as keeping a horse, (which the kindness of Mr. Russel made unnecessary) the expense of housekeeping, &c. was more than double the amount of any regular income that had. i ts I consider my settlement at Birmingham as the happiest event in my life, being highly fa- vourable to every c bject I had in: view, philoso= phical or theological. In the former respect, L had the convenience of good + workmen of ‘every kind, and’ the society of persons eminent for their knowledge of chemistry, particularly Mr. Watt, Mr. Keir, and Dr. Withering. _ These, with Mr. Boulton, and Dr. Darwin, who soon. eft us, by removing from ‘Lichfield to, Derbys, Mr. Galton, and afterwards Mr. Johnson, of Ke- nelworth, and myself, dined. together every month, calling ourselves the Lunar Society, bei cause the time of our meeting was near the full moon. ; With respect to theology, I had the society of Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Blyth, and Mr. Scholeficld, and his assistant Mr. Coates, and, while he lived, Mr. Palmer, before of | Macclesfield. We = and drank tea together every fortnight. At this. meeting we read all the papers that were sent for” the “‘ Theological Repository,” which I revived: : DR. PRIESTLEY. 87 e time after my coming hither, and in ge- neral our conversation was of the same cast as that with my fellow tutors at Warrington. Within a quarter of a year of my coming to side at Birmingham, Mr. Hawkes. resigned, d I had an unanimous mvitation to succeed him, as colleague with Mr. Blyth, a man of 4 truly Christian temper. The congregation we serve is the most liberal, I believe, of any m ngland; and to this freedom the unwearied abours of Mr. Bourne had eminently contri- uted. ie With this congregation I greatly improved my lan of catechizing and lectering, and my classes ave been well attended. I have also introduced he custom of expounding the scriptures as { ad them, which I had never done before, but © hich I would earnestly recommend to all mi2 isters. My time being much taken up with my philosophical and other studies, T agreed with = congregation to leaye the business: of bap- izing, and visiting the sick, to Mr. Blyth, and io confine. my services to the Sundays. I have en minister here between seven and eight years, ithout any interruption of my happiness; and or this 1 am sensible I am in a gteat measure indebted to. the friendship of Mr. Russell. Here I have never long intermitted my philo- 7 8S MEMOIRS OF | | sophical pursuits, and I have published nee Jumes of experiments, besides communications to the Royal Society. q In theology I have completed my friendly con= troversy with the Bishop of Waterford, on the duration of Christ’s ministry, I have published @ variety of single sermons, whieh, with the addi- tion of a few others, I have lately evllected, and published in one volume, and I am now engaged in a controversy of great extent, and whieh pro- mises to be of considerable consequence, me to the person of Christ. ' This was occasioned by my “ History of the Corruptions of Christianity,” whichal eomposed and published presently after my settlement a Birmingham, the first section of which bein rudely attacked in the ‘* Monthly Review,” then by Dr. Horsley, and afterwards by Mr. Howes, and other particular opponents, I undertook to collect from the original writers the state of opi nions onthe subject in the age succeeding a of the apostles, and I have published the result of my investigation in my “ History of Early Opinions concerning Jesus Christ,” in. four vos lumes octavo. This work has brought me mors antagonists, and I now write a pamphlet annus “ally in defence of the Unitarian doctrine seul all my opponents. : DR. PRIESTLEY. 5 39 My only Arian antagonist is Dr. Price, with whom the discussion of the question has pro- ceeded with perfect amity. But no Arian has as ‘yet appeared upon the ground to which I wish to confine the controversy, viz. the state of opi- ‘nions in the primitive times, as one means of collecting what was the doctrine of the apostles, and the true sense of scripture on the subject. Some years ago I resumed the Theological Repository,”’ in which 1 first advanced my ob- jections to the doctrine of the miraculous con- eption of Jesus, and his natural fallibiity: and peccability. These opinions gave at first great alarm, even to my best friends; but that is now ina great measure subsided. For want of suffi- cient sale, I shall be obliged to discontinue this «« Repository” for some time. At present I thank God I can say that my prospects are better than they have ever been be- i fore, and my own health, and that of my wife, better established, and my hopes as to the dispo- ‘sitions and future settlement of my children satisfactory. ~ I shall now close this account of my self. with some observations of 2 general nature, but chiefly an_account of those circumstances for which Ff have more particular reason to be thankful to that good being who has brought me hitherto, 90 . MEMOIRS “OF ~ and to whom fF trust I habitually ascribe what- ever my partial friends think the world indebted to me for, I. Not to enlarge again on what has been mentioned already, on the fundamental blessings of a religious and liberal education, I have parti- cular reason to be thankful for a happy tempera- ment of body and mind, both derived from my parents. My-father, grandmother, and several branches of the family, were remarkably healthy, and long lived ; and though my constitution has been far from robust, and was much injured by a consumptive tendency, or rather an ulcer in my lungs, the consequence of -i improper conduct of myself when I was at school, (being often vio lently heated with ‘exercise, and as often i impru- dently chilled by bathing, &e.) from which with. great difficulty I recovered, it has been excel— Jently adapted ‘to that studious life which has fallen ‘to my lot. I have never been: subject to head-achs,. ar any other complaints that are peculiarly unfavourable to study. I have never found myself Jess dis- posed, or less qualified, for menfal exertions of, any kind at onc time of the. day more :than ano- ther; but-all seasons have been equal to ame,y. early or late, before dinner or.after, &c. Andso far have I been from suffering bysmy application. DR. PRIESTLEY. 91 to study, (which however has never been so close or intense as some.have imagined) that I have found my health improving from the age of eighteen to the present time; and never have I found myself more free from any disorder, than ‘at present, I must, however, except a short time preceding and following my leaving Lord Shelburne, when I labcured under a bilious com- plaint, in which I was troubled with gall stones, ‘which sometimes gave me exquisite pain. But by confining myself to a vegetable diet, I ‘per-- - 'fectly recovered; and I have now been-so long free from the disorder, that. I. am under: no ap-. prehension of its return. It has been a singular happiness to me, and a Me proof, I believe, of a radically good constitution, - that I have always slept well, and. have awaked with my faculties perfectly vigorous, without any disposition to drowsiness. Also, whenever I have been fatigued with any kind of exertion, I could at any time sit down and sleep; and what- _eyer cause of anxiety I may have had, I have al- most always lost sight of it when I have got to. bed; and I have generally fallen asleep as soon as I have been warm*. _ ® My father was an early riser. “He never slept -more than six hours, He said-he did not remember -having e MEMOIRS OF I even think it an advantage to me, and am truly thankful for it, that my health received the check that it did, when I was young; since a muscular habit from high health, and strong spirits, are not, I think, m general accompanied with that sensibility of mind, which is both fa< vourable to piety, and to speculative pursuits*, Toa fundamentally good constitution of body, and the being who gave it me, I owe an even cheerfulness of temper, which has had but few interruptions. This I inherit from my father, who had uniformly beiter spirits than any man that I ever knew, and by this means was as happy towards the close of life, when reduced to poverty, and dependent upon others, as in his best days; and who, I am confident, would not have been unhappy, as I haye frequently heard him say, in a workhouse. Though my readers will easily suppose that, in the course of a hfe so full of vicissitude as lost a whole night’s sleep but once, though when awake he often had to suffer much from pain and sickness as well as from other circumstances of a very afflictive nature. * Though not a muscular man, he went through great exertion at various times of his life with activity. He walked very firmly, and axpeditiously. j é DR. PRIESTLEY. 98 sine has been, many things must have occurred to mortify and discompose me, nothing has ever. depressed my mind beyond a very short period. My spirits have never failed to recover their na- tural level, and I have frequently observed, and at first with some surprize, that the most perfect satisfaction I have ever felt has been a day or two after an event that afflicted me the most, and without any change having taken place in the state of things. Having found this ‘to be the case after many of my troubles, the persuasion that it would be so, after anew cause of uneasi- ness, has never failed to lessen the effect of its first impression, and together with my firm belief of the doctrine of necessity, (and consequently that of every thing being ordered for the best) has contributed to that degree of composure which I have enjoyed through life, so that I have always considered myself as one of the happiest of men. When I was a young author, (though I did not publish any thing until I was about thirty) strictures on my writings gave me some disturb- ance, though I believe even then less than they do most others; but after some time, things of that kind hardly affected me at all, and on this account I may be said to have been well formed G4 MEMOIRS OF _ for public controversy*. But what has always made me easy in any controversy in which I have been engaged, has been my fixed resolution frankly to acknowledge any mistake that I mhight perceive I had fallen into. That I have never been in the least backward to do this in matters _ of philosophy, can never be denied. As J have not failed to attend to the pheno- mena of my own mind, as well as to those of other parts of nature, I have not been insensible of some great defects, as well as some advan- tages, attending its constitution ; having from an early period been subject to a most humbling fai- lure of recollection, so that I have sometimes lost all ideas of both persons and things, that IT have been conversant with. I have so completely for= gotten what I have myself published, that” in reading my own writings, what F find in them often appears perfectly new to ae and I have | * Though Dr. Priestley has been considered as fond o controversy, and that his chief delight consisted in it, yet it is far from being true. Hewas more frequently the de fendant than the assailant. His controversies, as far as it depended upon himself, were carried on with temper and decency. He was never malicious, nor even sarcastic, indignant, unless provoked. DR. PRIESTLEY. 95 more tian once made experiments, the results of which had been published by me. I shall particularly mention one fact of. this kind, as it alarmed me much at the time, as a symptom of all my mental powers totally failing me, until I was relieved by the-recollection of things of a similar nature having happened to me before. When I was composing the “ Disser- tations,” which are prefixed to my ‘* Harmony of the Gospels,” I had to ascertain something which had been the subject of much discussion, relat= ing to the Jewish passever, (I have now forgot- ten what it was} and for that purpose had to con- sult, aud compare several writers. This I ac- cordingly did, and digested the result in a ompass of a few paragraphs, which I wrote in hort hand. But having mislaid the paper, and my attention having been drawn’ off to. other things, in the space of a fortnight, I did the same thing over again ; and should never have disco- vered that I had done it twice, if, after the second paper was transcribed for the press, I had not accidentally found the former, which I yiewed with a degree of terror. ‘ Apprized of this defect, I never fail to note down, as soon as possible, every thing that I wish not to forget. ‘The same failing has led me te devise, and haye recourse to, a variety of mecha- 96 MEMOIRS OF nical expedients to secure and arrange my thoughts, which have been of the greatest use te me in the composition of large and complex works; and what has excited the wonder of some of my readers would only have made them smile if they had seen me at work. But by sim- ple and mechanical methods one man shall de that in a month, which shall cost another, ol equal ability, whole years to execute. This me- thodicak arrangement of a large work, is greatly facilitated by mechanical methods, and nothing contributes more to the perspicuity of a large work, than a good arrangement of its parts. . — What I have known with respect to myself, has tended much to lessen both my admiration, and my contempt, of others. Could we have entered into the mind of Sir Isaae Newton, and have traced all the steps by which he produced his great works, we might see nothing very ex. traordimary in the process. Amd great powe with respect to some things are generally attende: with great defects in others; and these may n appear in a man’s writings. For this reason, seldom happens but that our admiration of phi- Josophers and writers is lessened by a person knowledge of them. As great excellencies’.are often balanced great, though not apparent defects, so great - DR. PRIESTLEY. ; 87 epparent defects are often accompanied by great, though not apparent excellencies. Thus my efect in point of recoliection, which may be owing to a want of sufficient coherence in the ssociation of ideas formerly impressed, may arise from a mental constitution more favourable new associations; so that what I have lost ith respect to memory, may have been com- yensated by what is called invention, or new and riginal combinations of ideas. This is a sub- ect that deserves attention, as well as every thing Ise that relates to the affections of the mind. Though I have often composed much ina Jit- le time, it by no means follows that I could have one much in a given time, For whenever I ave done much business in a short time, it has Iways been with the idea of having time more an sufficient to do itin; so that I have always It myself at ease, and I could have done no: ing, as many can, if I had been hurried. Knowing the necessity of this state of my ind to the dispatch of business, I have never ut off any thing to the last moment; and in- ead of doing that on the morrow which ought be done to-day, I have often blamed myself r doing to-day what had better have been put f until to-morrow ; precipitancy being more. y fault than procrastination. £ 98 MEMOIRS OF It has been a great advantage to me, that | have never been under the necessity of retiring from company in order to compose any thing Being fond of domestic life, I got a habit : writing on any subject by the parlour fire, wit mv wife and children about me, and occasional talking to them, without experiencing any inco venience from such interruptions. Nothing bt reading, or speaking without interruption, h been any obstruction tome. For I could n help attending (as some can) when others spo -an my hearing. These are useful habits, whi studious persons in general might acquire, they would; and many persons greatly distr themselves, and others, by the idea that they C do nothing except in perfeet solitude or silence Another great subject of my thankfulness t good providence, is my perfect freedom from ai embarrassment in my circumstances, so th without any anxiety on the subject, my suppli have always been equal to my wants; and n that my expenses are increased to a degree tha had no conception of some years ago, I a richer man than I was, and without laying my out for the purpose. What is more, this ind ference about an increase of fortune has been means of attaining it. When I began my periments, I expended on them all the money BR. PRIESTLEY. $8 could possibly raise, carried on by my ardour in philosophical investigations, and entirely regard~ _less of “consequences, except so far as never to contract any debt; and if this had been without success, my imprudence would have been mani- fest. But having succeeded, I was in time more than indemnified for all that I had expended. My theological studies, especially those which made it necessary for me to consult the Christian fathers, &c. have also been expensive to me. But I have found my theological friends even more liberal than my philosophical ones, and all beyond my expectations. In reflecting on my past life, I have often thought of two sayings of Jacob. When he had Jost one of his sons, and thought of other things that were afflictions to him, he said, “all these things are against me,” at the same time that they were in reality making for him. So the im- pediment in my speech, and the difficulties of my situation at Needham, I now sce as much cause to be thankful for, as for the most brilliant scenes in my life. L have also applied to myself what Jacob said on his return from Padan Aram. “ With my staff I went over this Jordan, and now I am be- come two bands ;’’ when I consider how little I carried with me to Needham and Nantwich, F 2 160 MEMOIRS OF how much more I had to carry to Warrington, how much more still to Leeds, how much more than that to Calne, and then to Birmingham. Yet, frequently as I have changed my situa- tion, and always for the better, J can truly say that I never wished for any change on my own account. I should have been contented even at Needham, if I could have been unmolested, and had bare necessaries. ‘This freedom from anx- iety was remarkable in my father, and therefore is in a manner hereditary to me; but it has been much increased by, reflection ; having frequently observed, especially with respect to Christian ministers, how often it has contributed to em- bitter their lives, without being of any use to them. Some attention to the improvement of a man’s circumstances is, no doubt, right, because no man can tell what occasion he may have for money, especially if he have children, and there- fore I do not recommend my example to others. But I am thankful to that good providence which always took more care of me than eyer I took of ‘myself. Hitherto I have had great reason. to be thank- ful with respect to my children, as they have a prospect of enjoying 2 good share of health, and a sufficient capacity for performing the duties of their stations. They have also good disposi-~ DR. PRIESTLEY. 101 tions, and as much as could be expected at their age, a sense of religion. But as 1 hope they will live to see this work, I say the less on this sub- ject, and I hope they will consider what I say in their favour, as an incitement to exert themselves to act a Christian and useful part in life; that the care that I and their mother have taken of their instruction, may not be Jost upon them, and that they may secure a happy meeting with us in a better world. I esteem it a singular happiness to have lived in an age and country, in which I have been at _ full liberty both to investigate, and by preaching and writing to propagate, religious truth; that though the freedom I have used for this purpose | was for some time disadvantageous to me, it was _ not long so, and that my present situation is such that I can with the greatest openness urge what- ever appéars to me to be the truth of the gospel, not only without giving the least offence, but | with the intire approbation of those with whom Iam particularly connected. As to the dislike which [ have drawn upon myself by my writings, whether that of the Cal- _ vinistic party, in or out of the church of Eng- land, those who rank with rational Dissenters, (but who have been exceedingly offended at my carrying my inquiries farther than they wished 102 MEMOIRS OF any person to do) or whether they be unbelievers, Tam thankful that it gives less disturbance to me than it does to themselves; and that their dislike is much more than compensated by the cordial esteem and approbation of my conduet by a few, whose minds are congenial to my own, and especially that the number of such ‘persons increases, Birmingham, 3787, A Continuation of the Memoirs, written at Northumberland, in America, in the begins _ ning of the year.1795. WHEN I wrote the preceding part of these — Memoirs, I was happy, as must have appeared in the course of them, in the prospect of spending ~ the remainder of my life at Birmingham, where I had every advantage for pursuing my studies, — both philosophical and theelogical ; but it pleased the sovereign disposer of all things to appoint H for me other removals, and the manner in which — they were brought about, were more painful to = DR, PRIESTLEY. 103 me than the removals themselves. I am far, however, from questioning the wisdom or the goodness of the appointments respecting myself or others. To resume the account of my pursuits, where the former part of the Memoirs left it, I must ob- serve that, in the prosecution of my erper¢ments, I was Jed to maintain the doctrine of phlogiston against Mr. Lavoisier, and other chemists in France, whose opinions were adopted not only by almost all the philosophers of that country, but by those in England and Scotland also. My friends, however, of the lunar society, were never satisfied with the anti-phlogistic doctrine. My experiments and observations on this sub- ject; were published in various papers, in’ the «« Philosophical Transactions.” At Birming- ham J also published a new edition of my publi- — cations on the subject of air, and others con- nected with it, reducing the six volumes to three, which, with his consent, I dedicated to the Prince of Wales. In theology, I continued my ‘* Defences of Unitarianism,” until it appeared to myself and my friends, that my antagonists produced nothing to which it was of any consequence to reply. But I did not, as I had proposed, publish any address to the bishops, or to the legislature, on 104 MEMOIRS OF the subject. The former I wrote, but “did not publish. J Jeft it, however, in the hands of Mr. Belsham, when I came to America, that he might dispose of it as he should think proper. The pains that I took to ascertain the state of early opinions concerning Jesus Christ, and the great misapprehensions I perceived in all the ec- clesiastical historians, led me to undertake a_ “General History of the Christian Church to the Fall of the Western Empire,” which accordingly T wrote in two volumes octavo, and dedicated to. Mr. Shore. This work I mean to continue. ! At Birmingham I wrote the “ Second Part” of my “ Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever,” | and dedicated the whole to Mr. Tayleur, of | Shrewsbury, who had afforded the most material | assistance in the publication of many of my the- — ological works, without which, the sale being © inconsiderable, I should not have been able to publish them at all. . Before I left Birmingham, I preached a fune- — yal sermon for my friend, Dr. Price, and another for Mr. Robinson, of Cambridge, who died with ~ us on a visit to preach our annual charity school sermon. I also preached the last annual sermon to the friends of the college at Hackney. All these three sermons were published. About two years before I left Birmingham, the — DR. PRIESTLEY. 105 ' question about the “Test Act,” was much agi- tated both in and out of parliament. This, however, was altogether without any concurrence of mine. I only delivered, and published, a ser- ‘mon, on the 5th of November, 1789, recom- mending the most peaceable method of pursuing our object. Mr. Madan, however, the most ‘respectabJe clergyman in the town, preaching and publishing a very inflammatory sermon on ‘the subject, inveighing in the bitterest manner |agzainst the Dissenters in general, and myself in particular, I addressed a number of “ Familiar Letters to the Inhabitants of Birmingham,” in our defence. This produced a reply from him, vand other letters from me. Al] mine were writ- ‘ten in an ironical and rather a pleasant manner, and in some of the last of them I introduced a farther reply to Mr. Burn, another clergyman in Birmingham, who had addressed to me “ Let- Iters on the Infallibility of the Testimony of the ‘Apostles, concerning the Person of Christ,”’ after replying to his first set of jetters, in a separate publication. From these small pieces, I was far from ex- pecting any serious consequences. But the Dis- senters in general being very obnoxious to the court, and it being imagined, though without any reason, that I had been the chief promoter Fo 106 MEMOIRS OF of the measures which gave them offence, the clergy, not only in Birmingham, but through all England, seemed to make it their business, by writing in the public papers, by preaching, and other methods, to inflame the minds of the people against me. And on occasion of the ce- lebration of the anniversary of the French revo- lution, on July 14, 1791, by several of my friends, but with which I had little to do, a mob encouraged by some persons in power, first burned the meeting-house in which I preached, then another meeting-house in the town, and then my dwelling-house, demolishing my library, apparatus, and, as far as they could, every thing belonging tome. They also burned, or much. damaged, the houses of many Dissenters, chiefly my friends; the particulars of which I need not recite, as they will be found in two ‘* Appeals,” which I published on the subject, written pre- sently after the riots. , Being in some personal danger on this ceca= sion, I went to London ; and so violent was the spirit of party which then prevailed, that I believa I could hardly have been safe in any other place. There, however, I was perfectly so, though I continued to be an object of troublesome atten= tion until I left the country altogether. It shewed no small degree of courage and friend= DR. PRIESTLEY. 107 ‘ship in Mr. William Vaughan, to receive me ‘into his house, and aiso in Mr. Salte, with whom ‘Ispent a month at Tottenham. But it shewed more in Dr. Price’s congregation, at Hackney, to invite me to succeed him, which they did, though not unanimously, some time after my ar- rival in London. In this situation I found myself as happy as I had been at Birmingham ; and contrary to gene- ral expectation, I opened my lectures to young | persons with great success, being attended by many from London ; and though I lost some of the hearers, I left the congregation in a better | situation than that in which I found it. - On the whole, I spent my time even more happily at Hackney than ever I had done before ; having every advantage for my philosophical and | theological studies, in some respect superior to what I had enjoyed at. Birmingham, especially from my casy access to Mr. Lindsey, and my frequent intercourse with Mr. Belsham, profes- sor of divinity in the New College, near which | Ilived. Never, on this side the grave, do I ex- | pect to enjoy myself so much as I did by the BD gre-side of Mr. Lindsey, conversing with him : and Mrs. Lindsey on theological and other sub- | jects, or in my frequent walks with Mr. Bel- sham, whose yiews ef most important subjects 108 MEMOIRS OF : were, like Mr. Lindsey’s, the same with my own. I found, however, my society much restricted. with respect to my philosophical acquaintance ; most of the members of the Royal Society, shunning me on account of my religious or po | litical opinions, so that I at length withdrew myself from them, and gave my reasons for so | doing in the preface to my ‘* Observations and Experiments on the Generation of Air from Water,” which I published at Hackney. For, | with the assistance of my friends, I had in a_ great measure replaced my apparatus, and had resumed my experiments, though after the loss | of nearly two years. Living in the neighbourhood of the New Col- | lege, I voluntarily undertook to deliver the lec-— tures to the pupils on the subject of ‘ History and General Policy,”’ which I had composed at Warrington, and alsoon ‘ Experimental Philo- sopby and Chemistry,” the ‘* Heads” of which I drew up for this purpose, and afterwards pub- | | | | lished. In being useful to this institution, I ~ found a source of considerable satisfaction ‘to myself, Indeed,-I have always had a high de- gree of enjoyment in lecturing to young persons, though more on theological subjects than on any ether, a DR. PRIESTLEY. 109 After the riots in Birmingham, I wrote “ An _ Appeal to the Public,’ on the subject, and that “being replied to by the clergy of the place, I 'wrote a “ Second Part,” to which, though they had pledged themselves to do it, they made no | reply ; so that, in fact, the criminality of the ma- gistrates, and other principal high-church men, at Birmingham, in promoting the riot, remains ‘acknowledged. Indeed, many circumstances which have appeared since that time, shew that the friends of the court, if not the prime minis- _ters themselves, were the favourers of that riot ; having, no doubt, thought to intimidate the friends of liberty by the measure. To my appeal I subjoined various ‘“* Ad- dresses” that were sent to me from several de- | scriptions of persons in Egeland, and abroad; and from them I will not deny that I received much satisfaction, as it appeared that the friends of liberty, civil and religious, were of opinion that I was a sufferer in that cause. From France I received a considerable number of addresses ; sand when the present National Convention was called, I was invited by many of the departments to be a member of its’ But I thought myself more usefully employed at home, and that I was but ill qualified for a business which required knowledge which none but a native of the coun- 110. MEMOIRS OF try could possess ; and therefore declined the ho- nour that was proposed to me. . But no addresses gave me so much satisfac- tion as those from my late congregation, and especially of the young persons belonging to it, who had attended my lectures. They are astand- ing testimony of the zeal and fidelity with which I did my duty with respect to them, and which I value highly. Besides congratulatory addresses, I received much pecuniary assistanee from various persons, and bodies of men, which more than compen- sated for my pecuniary losses, though what was” awarded me at the assizes fell two thousand pounds short of them. But my brother-in-law, Mr. John Wilkinson, from whom I had not at that time any expectation, in consequence of m son’s leavitig bis employment, was the most ge- nerous on the occasion. Without any soiicita- tion, he immediately sent me five hundre pounds, and afterwards transferred to me ten thousand pounds, which he had deposited im th French funds, and until that be productive, he allows me two hundred pounds per annum. After the riots, I published my * Letters to th Swedenborgian Society,” which I had composed, and prepared for the press just before. Mr. Wakefield living im the neighbourhood o: DR. PRIESTLEY. ill the college, and publishing at this time his ob- jections to public worship, they made a great impression on many of our young men, and in his preface he reflected much on the character of Dr. Price. On both these accounts I thought myself called upon to reply to him, which I did in a series of ‘* Letters to a Young Man.” But though he made several angry replies, I never © noticed any of them. In this situation I also answered Mr. Evanson’s ‘* Observations on the Dissonance of the Evangelists, in a Second Set of Letters to a Young Man.” Healso replied to me, but I was satisfied with what I had done, and did not continue the controversy. Besides the * Sermon’’ which I delivered on my acceptance of the invitation to the meeting at Hackney, in the preface to which I gave a de- tailed account of my system of catechizxing, I published two “ Fast Sermons,” for the years 1793 and 1794, in the latter of which I gave my ‘ideas of ancient prophecies, compared with the then state of Europe, and in the preface to it I _gave an account of my reasons for leaving the country. I also published a “ Farewell Ser- mon.” But the most important of my publications in this situation, were a series of * Letters to the Philosophers and Politicians of France, on the 112 MEMOIRS OF Subject of Religion.” I thought that the light in which I then stood in that country, gave me some advantage in my attempts to enforce the evidence of natural and revealed religion. I also published a set of “* Sermons on the Evidences of Revelation,” which I first delivered by public notice, and the delivery of which was attended by great numbers. They were printed just before I left England. As the reasons for this step in my conduct are given at large in the preface to my Fast Ser- mon,” I shall net dwell upon them here. The bigotry of the country in general made it impos- sible for me to place my sons in it to any advas- tage. William had been some time in France, and on the breaking out of the troubles in that country, he had embarked for America, where his two brothers met him. My own situation, if — not hazardous, was become unpleasant, so that I thought my removal would be of more service to the cause of truth than my longer stay in Eng-— land. At length, therefore, with the approba-— tion of all my friends, without exception, but | with great reluctance on my own part, I came ta that resolution; I being at a time of life in which — I could not expect much satisfaction as to friends _ and society, comparable to that which I left, in — which the resumption of my philosophical pur- ) DR. PRIESTLEY. 133 suits must be attended with great disadvantage, and in which success, in my still more favourite pursuit, thé propagation of Unitarianism, was still more uncertain. It was also painful to me _ to leave my daughter, Mr. Finch having the ~ greatest aversion to leave his relations and friends in England. , At the time of my leaving England, my son, in conjunction with Mr. Cooper, and other Eng- lish emigrants, had a scheme for a large settlé- ment for the friends of liberty in general, near. the head of the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania. ‘And taking it for granted that it would be car- ried into effect, after landing at New York, I “went to Philadelphia, and thence came to Nor- thumberland, a town the nearest to the proposed — sett] ement, thinking to reside there until some progress had been made in it. ‘The settlement ‘was given up; but being here, and my wife and myself liking the place, I have determined to take up my residence here, though subject to many disadvantages. Philadelphia was exces- sively expensive, and this comparatively a cheap place ; and my son’s settling in the neighbour- hood, will be less exposed to temptation, and ore likely to form habits af sobriety and indus- try. They will aiso be settled at much less ex- pense than in or near a large town. We hope, 114 MEMOIRS OF after some time, to be joined by a few of our friends from England, that a readier communi- cation will be opened with Philadelphia, and that the place will improve, and become more eligible in other respects. When I was at sea, I wrote some “ Obserya- tions on the Cause of the present Prevalence of Infidelity,” which I published, and prefixed to a new edition of the “ Letters to the Philosophers and Politicians of France.” I have also pub- lished my ‘Fast and Farewell Sermons,” and my “€ Small Tracts,”’ in defenee of Unitarian- ism; also a * Continuation of those Letters,” and a “ Third Part of Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever,” in answer to “ Mr. Paine’s Age of Reason.” | The chservations on the prevalence of infi- delity, I have much enlarged, and intend soon to print; but I am chiefly employed on the con- tinuation of my “History of the Christian Church.” : Northumberland, March 24, 1795, in whic I have completed the sixty-second year of 7 age. y i j ¥ BR. PRIESTLEY. 113 A CONTINUATION OF THE MEMOTRS or Dr. JOSEPH PRIESTLEY. (WRITTEN BY HIS SON JOSEPH PRIESTLEY.] HUS far the narrative is from my father’s ma- uscript, and I regret extremely, with the reader, at it falls to my lot to give an account of the tter period of his valuable life. _ T entertained hopes at one time, that he would ave continued it himself; and he was frequently requested to doso, by me and many of his friends the course of the year preceding his death. e had then nearly compleated all the literary orks he had in view, he had arrived at that pe- iod of life when, in imitation of his friend, Mr. 116 MEMOIRS OF Lindsey, he had determined not to preach agai in public, and beyond which he probably would not have ventured to publish any work withou first subjecting it to the inspection of some judi. cious friend. He was requested also, in imitation of Cou: rayer, to add at the close of his Memoirs a sum- mary of his religious opinions. This would have counteracted the suspicions entertained by some, that they had undergone a considerable change since his coming to America; and it was thought by his friends, that such a brief and sim- ple statement of all that appeared to him essen tial to the Christian belief, and the Christian character, would attract the attention of many readers previously indisposed to religion altoge- ther, from not understanding its real nature, and judging of it only from the corrupt, adulterated, and complicated state, in which it is professed in all countries called Christian. Unbelievers in general have no conception of the perfect coin- cidence of Christianity with rational philosophy, ~ of the sublime views it affords of the-divine be- nevolence, and how powerfully it acts to promote the pleasures and lessen the evils of the present hfe, at the same time that it holds out to us a certain prospect of a future and endless state of enjoyment. It was suggested to him also, that WR. PRIESTLEY. 117 his society through life had been singularly ied and extensive, and his opportunities of uining a general knowledge of the world, and articular knowledge of eminent political and rary characters, very great, it would contri- te much to the instruction and amusement of se into whose hands his Memoirs should fail, hey were accompanied with anecdotes of the ncipal characters with whom he had been ac- uinted. For he had a fund of anecdote which was never backward to produce for the amuse- nt of his friends, as occasions served for in- ducing it. But his relations were never castic or ironical, or tended to disparage the aracters of the persons spoken of, unless on yjects of manifest importance to the interests society. Te meant to have complied with the above gestions, but being at that time very busily ployed about his ‘‘ Comparison,” and think- his Memoirs of little value compared with works about which he was then engaged, he off the complction of his narrative, until his r works should be ready for the press. Un- unately this was too late. The work he had and was not completed until the 22d of Ja- Ty, when he was very weak, and suffered 118 MEMOIRS ©F greatly from his disorder, and he died on the of February followimg. ‘The reader will. therefore make allowance the difference between what these Memoirs mi have been, and what they now are; and parti jarly for the part which I venture to lay before public, asa continuation of his own account. The reasons that induced him to quit Engle and the progress of his opinions and inclinati respecting that last important zra in his | have been but briefly stated in the preced pages by himself. But as many may pet these Memoirs, inte whose hands his “ Apy to the Public,” occasioned by the riots at I mingham, and his “ Fast Sermon,” in which assigns at length his reasons for leaving his na country, are not likely to fall; I think it righ present to the readers, in his own words, the] tory of the motives that impelled him to change his residence in England for one in | country. The disgraceful riots at Birmingham were « tainly the chief cause that first induced my fat to think of leaving England, though at the ti of his writing the second part of the “* Appe: in August 1792, he had not come to any de mination on the subject. This appears from j DR. PRIESTLEY. 118 following passage, which, as it shews the pro- gress of his discontent, and likewise the true state of his political opinions, particularly in re-. dation to the English form of government I shall quote. . * In this almost universal prevalence of a spirit so extremely hostile to me and my friends, and which would be gratified by my destruction, it cannot be any matter of surprise, that a son of mineshould wish to abandon a country in which his father has been used as I have been, espe- cially when it is considered that this son was present at the riot in Birmingham, exerting him- sdf all the dreadful night of the 14th of July, to save what he could of my most valuable pro- _perty ; that in consequence of this his life was in ‘imminent danger, and another young man was /nearly killed, because he was mistaken for him, This would probably have been his fate, if a friend had not almost per force kept him con- cealed some days, so that neither myself nor his mother knew what was become of him. I had not, however, the ambition to court the honour that has been shewn him by the National Assem- bly of France, and even declined the proposal of his naturalization. At the most, I suppose it would have been done without any eclat ; and I knew nothing of its being done in so very ho- 126 MEMOIRS OF nourable a way, until I saw the account in the public newspapers. To whatever country thi: son of mine shall choose to attach himself, | trust that, from the good principles, and the spi- rit, that he has hitherto shewn, he will discharge the duties of a good citizen. | “«« As to myself, I cannot be supposed to feel much attachment to a country in which I have neither found protection nor redress. But 1 am too old, and my habits too fixed, to remoye, as I own I should otherwise have been disposed to do, to France, or America. Thelittle that I am ca- pable of doing must be in England, where I shall therefore continue, as long as it shall please the supreme disposer of all things to permit me. “Tt might have been thought that, haying written so much in defence of revelation, and of Christianity in general, more perhaps than all the clergy of the church of England now living; this defence of a common cause would have been received as some atonement for my demerits in writing against civil establishments of Christian- ity, and particular doctrines. _ But had I been an open enemy of all religion, the animosity agains me could not have been greaterthan itis. Nei- ther Mr. Hume nor Mr. Gibbon, was a thow sandth part so obnoxious to the clergy as I am; sé little respect have my enemies for Christianity BR. PRIESTLEY. 421 itself, compared with what they have for their emoluments from it. _ *¢ As to my supposed hostility to ne princi- piles of the civil constitution of this country, there has been no pretence whatever for charg- ing me. with any thing of the kind. Besides that the very catalogue of my publications will prove that my life has been devoted to literature, and chiefly to natural philosophy and theology, which have not left me any. leisure for factious politics ; in the few things that I have written of a political nature, I have been an avowed advo- cate for our mixed government by A7zng, Lords, and Commons, but because I have objected to the ecclesiastical part of it, and to particular re- ligious tenets, I have been industriously repre- _ sented as openly seditious, and endeavouring the overthrow of every thing that is fixed, the enemy ef all order, and of all government. ‘< Every publication which bears my name, is im favour of our present form of government. But if I had not thought so highly of it, and had- seen reason for preferring a more republican form, and had openly advanced that opinion ; I do not know that the proposing to free discus- | sion a system of government different from that of England, even to Englishmen, is any crime, according te the existing laws of this country. G 122 -* MEMOIRS OF it hasalways been thought, at least, that ou constitution authorises the free proposal and dis- cussion, of all theoretical principles whatever, ‘political ones not. excepted. And though 1] might now recommend a very different form of government to a people who had no previous prejudices or habits, the case is very different with respect to one that has; and it is the duty ‘of every good citizen to maintain that govern: ment of any country which the majority of its inhabitants approve, whether he himself should otherwise prefer it or not. << This, however, is all that can in reason be required of any man. To demand more would “be as absurd as to oblige every man, by the law of marriage, to maintain that his particular wife was absolutely the handsomest, and best tem- pered woman in the world ; whereas it is surely sufficient if a man behave well to his wife, and discharge the duties of a good husband. << A very great majority of Englishmen, I am well persuaded, are friends to what are called high maxims of government. They would choose to have the power of the crown rather enlarged than reduced, and would rather see all the Dissenters banished than any reformation made in the church. A dread of every thing tending to republicanism, is manifestly increased 1 BR. PRIESTEEY: . shds of late years, and is likely to increase still more. The very term is become one of the most op- ' probrious in the English language. The clergy (whose near alliance with the court, and the pre- sent royal family, after having been almost a century hostile to them, is a remarkable event in _ the present reign) have contributed not a little to that leaning to arbitrary power in the crown _ which has lately becn growing upon us. They _ preach up the doctrine of passive obedience, and non-resistance, with as little disguise as their ancestors did in the reign of the Stuarts, and their adulation of the king and of the minister, is abject in the extreme. Both Mr. Madan’s sermon, and Mr. Burn’s reply to my * Appeal,” discover the same spirit; and any sentiment in favour of liberty that is at all bold and manly, such as, till of late, was deemed becoming Eng- lishmen and the disciples of Mr. Locke, is now reprubated as seditious. ‘In these circumstances, it would be nothing less than madness seriously to attempt a change in the constitution, and I hope I am not abso- lutely insane. I sincerely wish my countrymen, as part of the human race, (though, I own, I now feel no particular attachment to them on any other ground) the undisturbed enjoyment of that form of government which they so evidently G2 124 * MEMOZRS OF approve ; and as I have no favour to ask of them or of their governors, besides mere protection, as to a stranger, while I violate no known law, and have not this to ask for any long term, I hope it will be granted me. If not, [ must, like many others, in all ages and all nations, submit to whatever the Supreme Being, whose eye is upon us all, and who I believe intends, and will in his own time bring about, the good of all, shall appoint, and by their means execute.’”— Appeal, part II. page 109, Ge. The rising disinclination which the preceding passage shews, had taken place in my father’s mind towards a longer residence in England, be-. came confirmed by various cireumstances, parti= cularly the deternnnation of his sons to emigrate to America. ‘These, together with other reasons, that finally influenced his conduct on the subject of removing to this country, are stated at large (as I have before observed) in the preface to his *¢ Fast Sermon,” for the year 1794, and 1 can= not so properly give them as in his own words. — «< This discourse, and those on the Evidences of Divine Revelation’ which will be published about the same time, being the last of my labours: im this country, [hope my friends, and the pub- lic, will indulge me while I give the reasons of their Jeing the last, in consequence of my hav- i } DR. PRIESTLEY. eke “ing at length, after much hesitation, and now with reluctance, come to a resolution to leave this: kingdom. ater «© After the riots in Birmingham, it was the expectation, and evidently the wish of many per~ sons, that 1 should immediately fly to France or America. But ihadno consciousness of guilt to: induce me to fly from my country*. On thecon- trary, I came directly to London, and instantly,’ by means of my friend, Mr. Russell, signified'to the king’s ministers, that I «as there and ready, * «Tf, instead of flving from lawless violence I had been flying from public justice, I could not have been pursued’ with more rancour, nor could my friends have been more anxious for my safety: One man, who happened to see ‘me on horseback on one of the nights in which I escaped from Birmingham, expressed his regret that he had not taken me, expecting probably some considerable reward, as he said, it was so easy for him to have done it. My friends eainestly advised me to disguise myself, as I was goingto London. But all that was done in that way, was taking a place for me in the mail-coach, which I en- tered at Worcester, in another name than my own.. However, the friend who had the courage to receive me in London, had thought it necessary to provide a dress that should disguise me, and also a method of making my es- cape, in case the house should have been attacked on my account ; and for some time my friends would not suffer me to appear in the streets,” ~ 126 MEMOIRS OF if they thought proper, to be interrogated on the subject of the riot. But no notice was taken of the message. “ . Deuteronomy, from chap. 16, to the end; Ecclesiastes and Solomon’s Song, in Hebrew and Greek. ' Classics. _Homer’s Iliad, book P, to the end. Mathematical. Euclid, lib. 4, 5, 6. Historical. Universal History, vol. 20. Miscellaneous. Five Shakespeare’s Plays. Composition. Three Sermons. BUSINESS DONE FN NOVEMBER. Practical, Abernethy’s Practical Sermons. Scriptures. Job, in Hebrew, and the Septuagint. Philosophy, Mathematics, and Chemistry. Euclid, lib. 11, and 12 slightly; Boerhave’s Theory ot Chemistry, a good part of vol. 13 Rowning’s Philosophy, half of vol. 1. DR. PRIESTLEY. 165 Classics. ¥rancis’s Horace; Odes, 4 books. History. ‘ Universal History, part of vol. 3; Jewish An- iquities ; History of the Council of Trent, to age 133; Anson’s Voyage, by Walter. Plays. Four of Shakespeare’s Plays. Composition. Two Sermons. BUSINESS DONE 1N DECEMBER. Practical. Abermethy’s Posthumous Sermons, vol. 23 Clarke’s Sermons, vol. 13° Patrick on Eccle- siastes. ‘ ; Scriptures. Psalms, in the Hebrew, and Septuagint. Philosophy. Rowning’s Philosophy, part 2 and 3. Classics. Francis’s Horace, vol. 2 and 3. Miscellaneous and Entertaining. Malcolm on Music, half; four Shakespeare's Plays ; half of the 1st vol. of the Rambler ; Pope’s ithic Epistles, a few. i 166 MEMOIRS OF History. Paul’s Council of Trent, to page 476 ; Life of the Duke of Marlborough. Composition. Four Sermons. Tt will be seen by this extract from his diary, that his studies were very varied, which, as he was always persuaded, enabled him to do so. much. This he constantly attended to through life; his chemical and philosophical pursuits serving as akind of relaxation from his theolo- gical studies. His miscellaneous reading, which ie at all times very extensive, comprizing even novels and plays, still served to increase the va- riety. For many years of his life, he never spent less than two or three hours a day in games of amusement, as cards and backgammon, but particularly chess—at which he and my mother played regularly three games after dinner, and as many afier supper. As his children grew up, chess was laid aside for whist, or some round game at cards, which he enjoyed as much as any of the company. It is hardly necessary to state, that he never played for money, even for the most trifling sum. To all these moces of relieving the mind, he) | } | | ] DR. PRIESTLEY. 167 added bodily exercise. Independently of his la- boratory furaishing him with a good deal, as he never employed an operator, and never allowed any one even to light a fire, he generally lived in situations which required his walking a good deal, as at Calne, Birmingham, and Hackney. Of that exercise he was very fond. He walked well, and his regular pace was four iniles an hour, In situations where the necessity of walking was not imposed upon him, he worked in his garden, as at Calne, when he had not occa- sion to go to Bowood; at Northumberland in America, he was pene attached to this exercise. But what principally enabled him to do so -much was regularity, for it does not appear that at any period of his life, he spent more than six or eight hours per day in business that re- quired much mental exertion. I find in the same diary, which I have quoted from above, that he laid down the following daily arrange- ment of time for a minister’s studies :-~studying the Scriptures 1 hour. Practical writers } an hour. Philosophy and history 2 hours. Classtes 3an hour. Composition 1 hour—in all 5 hours, He adds below, “ All which may be conye- niently dispatched before dinner, which leaves the afternoon for visiting and company, and the evening for exceeding in any article if there 168 MEMOIRS OF be occasion. Six hours not too much, nor seven.” It appears by his diary, that he followed ‘this plan at that period of his hfe. He generally walked out in the afternoon, or spent it in com- pany. At that time there was a society or club that assembled twice a week, at which the mem- bers debated questions, or took it in turn to deli- ver orations, or read essays of their own compo- sition. When not attending these meetings, he most generally appears to have spent the evening in company with some of the students in their chambers. It was by the regularity and variety of his stu- dies, more than by intenseness of application, that he performed so much more than eyen stu- dious men generally do. At the time he was engaged about the most important works, and when he was not busily employed in making ex- periments, he always had leisure for company, of which he was fond. He never appeared hur- ried or behind hand. He, however, never car- ried his complaisance so far as to neglect the daily task he had imposed upon himself; but as he was uniformly an early riser, and mae Ad his more serious pursuits in the morning, 1 rarely happened but that he could deoiaplih the labours assigned for the day, without having ‘DR. PRIESTLEY. 169 soccasion. to withdraw from visitors at home, or society abroad, or giving reason to suppose that _ the company of others was a restraint upon his “pursuits. ‘ This habit of regularity, extended itself to -every thing that he read, and every thing he did, that was susceptible of it. -Ffe never read a book * without determining in his own'mind when he would finish it. Had he a work to transcribe, ‘he would fix a time for its completion. This habit increased upon ‘him as he grew in years, and his diary was kept upon the plan I have before described, till within a few days of his edeath. To the regularity and variety of his studies, “must be added a considerable degree of mecha- nical contrivance, which greatly facilitated the execution of many of his compositions. {t was, however, most apparent in his laboratory, and displayed in the simplicity and neatness of his apparatus, which was the great cause of the ac- _ curacy of his experiments, and of the fair cha- racter which he acquined as an experimental 'chemist. ‘This was the result in the first in- “stance of a necessary attention to economy in all his pursuits, and was afterwards continued from choice, when the necessity no longer existed. I _xetarn from this digression, which I thought ne- - . i170 MEMOIRS OF cessary to give the reader a general view of my. father’s occupations, and his manner of spending his time, to the circumstances attending the re- maining years of his life. . At his first settling at Northumberland, there was no house to be procured that would furnish him with the conveniencies of a library and la- boratory, in addition to the reom necessary for a family. Hence in the beginning of the year 1795, being then fixed in his determination to move no more, he resolved upon building a house convenient for his pursuits. During the time the house was building, he had no conve- nience for making experiments more than a ‘common reom afforded, and he was thereby pre- vented from doing fhuch in this way. Still, he ascertained several facts of importance in the year 1795, on the analysis of atmospheric air, and ‘also some in continuation of those on the gene- ration of air from water. He had, however, leisure and opportunity for his other studies, and in 1795, he published obser- vations on the increase of infidelity, and he con- tinued his *‘ Church History, from the Fall of — the Western Empire to the Reformation.” In the spring of 1796, he spent three months at Philadelphia, and delivered there a setof dis-- courses.on the evidences of reyelation, which he DR. PRIESTLEY. 171 somposed with a view to counteract the effect roduced by the writings of unbelievers, which, is might be expected, was very great in a coun- ty where rational opinions in religion were but ittle known, and where the evidences of revela- tion had been but little attended to. It was a source of great satisfaction to him, and what he had little previous reason to expect, that. his lec- tures were attended by very crowded audiences, including most of the members of the Congress of the United States, at that time assembled at Philadelphia, and of the executive officers of the government. These discourses which, in a re- gular and connected series, placed Christianity, and the evidences of ifs truth, in a more clear and satisfactory point of view than it had been usually considered in this country, attracted much attention, and created an interest in the subject which there is reason to believe has pro- duced lasting effects. My father received assur- ances from many of the most respectable persons in the country, that they viewed the subject in a totally different light from what they had before done, and that could they attend places of wor- ship, where such rational doctrines were incul~ cated, they should do it with satisfaction. As my father had, through life, considered the office of a Christian minister as the most useful 12 172 MEMOIRS OF and honourable of any, and had always derived the greatest satisfaction from fulfilling its duties, particularly from catechizing young persons ; the greatest source of uneasiness therefore to him at Northumberland was, that there was no svfficient opportunity of being useful in that way. Though he was uniformly treated with kindness and res- pect by the people of the place, yet their senti- ments in religion were so different from his own, and the nature and tendency of his opinions were so little understood, that the establishment of a place of Unitarian worship, perfectly free from any Calvinistic or Arian tenet, was next to im- possible. All, therefore, that be could do in that way was, for the two or three first years, to ‘read a service either at his own or at my house, at which a few (perhaps a dozen) English per- sons were usually present, and in time, as. their numbers increased, he made use- of a school- room near his house, where from twenty to thirty. regularly attended, and among them some of the — inhabitants of the place, who by degrees began to divest themselves of their prejudices with respect to his opinions. However small the number of persons attending, he administered the Lord’s supper, a rite upon which he always laid parti- cular stress. . In the autumg of 1795, he had the misfortune DR. PRIESTLEY. 173 to lose his youngest son, of whom, beg much younger than any of his other children, and hay- ing entertamed the hopes of his succeeding him “in his Theological and Philosophical pursuits, he was remarkably fond. He felt this misfortune the more severely, as it was the first of the kind _he had experienced, and particularly as it had a visible effect upon my mother’s health and spi- rits. He was, however, so constantly in the ha- bit of viewing the hand of God in all things, and of considering every occurrence as leading to good, that his mind soon recovered its accus- tomed serenity, and his journey to Philadelphia, (mentioned above) and the success which at- tended his first exertions in the cause of, what he deemed pure and genuine christianity, led him to look forward with cheerfulness to the future, and gave him an energy in his pursuits, which was : : never exceeded in any part of hislife. It was the same habit of viewing God as the author of all events, and producing good out of seeming evil, that enabled him to support himself so well un- der the greatest affliction that could possibly have befallen him, viz. the loss of his wife, my mother ; who, through life, had been truly a help meet for him ; supporting him under all his trials and sufferings, with a constancy and_persever- ance truly praise worthy, and who as he himself, 174 MEMOIRS OF in noting ethe event in his diary, justly ob- serves, ‘‘ was of a noble and generous mind, and cared much for others, and little for herself, through life.” In the period between the above very afflicting events, though his conveniences for experiment- ing were not increased, owimg to his house, and particularly his laboratory not being finished, he wrote a small treatise in defence of the doctrine of Phiogistén, addressed to the philosophers in France. He likewise composed a second set of discourses of a similar kind to those delivered in Philadelphia the preceding winter. He preached and printed a sermon in defence of Unitarianism, and printed the first set of discourses; he com- pleted his “Church History ;” he made addi- tional observations on the increase of ifidelity, chiefly in answer to Mr. Volney ; and drew up an “ Outline of all the Evidences in favour of Re- velation.”’ In the spring of 1797, he again spent two or three months in Philadelphia, and delivered a | second set of discourses, but partly from the no- velty of the thing being done away, partly from the prejudices that began to be exeited against him on account of his supposed political opi- nions, (for high-toned politics began then to prevail in the fashionable cireles) and partly ow- DR. PRIESTLEY. ie eg ing to the discourses not being so weli adapted for a public audience, though necessary to set the comparative excellence of Christianity in its true light, they were but thinly attended in compari- son to his former set. This mduced him to” give up the idea of preaching any more regular sets of discourSes. He however printed them, as likewise a sermon he preached in favour of the emigrants. He also composed at this time a third and enlarged edition of his ‘¢ Observations - on the Increase of Infidelity,”’ a controversy with: Mr. Volney; * A Tract on the Knowledge of a Future State among the Hebrews ;” which, with: the works he composed the year before, he ‘ printed as he found means and opportunity. He Y revised his ** Church History,” began his “* Notes on the Scriptures,” and his “Comparison of the Institutions of Moses with those of the Hin- doos.” Towards the end of 1797, and not before. his library and laboratory were finished. None but ‘men devoted to literature can imagine the plea- sure he derived from being able to renew his ex- periments with every possible’ convenience, and from having his books once more arranged. His house was situated in a garden, commanding a ~ prospect equal, if not superior, to any on the river Susquehanna, so justly celebrated for the Ti6 MEMOIRS af picturesque views its banks afford. It was asin~ gularly fortunate circumstance that he found at Northumberland several excellént workmen in metals, who could repair his instruments, make all the new articles.he wanted in the course of his experimenting, as well as, he used to say, if not in some respects better, than he could haye got them done in Birmingham ; and in the society of Mr. Frederick Antis, the brother of Mr. Antis in England, and uncle of Mr. Latrobe the engi- neer, he derived great satisfaction. Mr, Antis wasaman of nuld and amiable manners; he possessed a very good knowledge of mechanics, the result of his own observation and reflection, and a fund of knowledge of many things, which my father frequently found useful to resort to. The situation of Northumberland became abun- dantly more convenient than.it was when he first came to the place. From there being no regu- lar public post, there was. now established a post. twice a week to Philadelphia, and answers could be received toletters within a weck, and the com- munication so much increased between the two places, that the price of the carriage of goods was reduced from eleven shillings and threepenee, to six shillings per ewt. the distance being one hundred and thirty-two miles. Thus conyenieutly situated, he resumed the DR. PRIESTLEY. 17 same kind of life he led at Birmingham, experi- menting the greater part of the day, the result of which he published in the ‘ Medical Reposi- tory” of New York. Having completed his «‘ Church History,” he finished his ‘* Compart- son of the Institutions of Moses with those of tke Hindoos.” He likewise proceeded as far as Le- viticus, in the design he had formed of writing «< Notes on all the Books of Scripture ;” and made some remarks on the origin of all religions by Dupuis ; but the greater part of the time that he spent in theology, this year, was employed in recomposing the ‘ Notes on the New Testa- ment,” which were destroyed at the riots. In the course of the year 1799, he finished his «© Notes on all the Books of Scripture ;” he pub- lished his ** Comparison of the Institutions of Moses with those of the Hindoos;” he likewise _ printedhis “ Defence of the Doctrine of Phlo- giston,” above mentioned; and the greater part of each day in the summer, was employed in : making the additional experiments he’ had pro- jected. It was in the year 1799, during Mr. Adams’s administration, that my father had occasion to _ write any thing on the subject of politics in this country. It is well known to all his friends, that politics were always a subject of secondary im- 23 178 MEMOIRS OF portance with him. He, however, took part oc- casionally in the conversations on that subject, which every person has aright to do, and which, about the time my father left England, no person could avoid doing, as the subject engrossed so - large a part of the. conversation in almost every company. He always argued on the side of li- berty. He was, however, in favour only of those changes that could be brought about by fair ar- gument, and his speculations on the subject of British politics, did not go further than a reform in parliament, and no way tended, in his opi- nion, to affect the form of government, or the constitution of the kingdom, as vested in King, Lords, and Commons. He used frequently to say, and it was said to him, that though he was - an Unitarian in Religion, he was in that country — a Trinitarian in politics. When he came to America, he found reason to change his opinions, and he beeame a decided friend to the general principles and practice of a completely representative government, founded upon universal suffrage, and excluding hereditary privileges, as it exists in this country. This change was naturally produeed by observing the ease and happiness with which the people lived, — and the unexampled prosperity of the country, of which no European, unless he has resided in ° DR. PRIESTLEY. 179 it some time, and has observed the interior part of it; can be a competent judge. But with res- pect to England, he sti}l remained anxious for its peace and prosperity, and though-he had been so hardly used, and though he considered the ad-- ministration of the country, if notinstigating, at: least conniving at the riots, no resentment existed in his breast against the nation, In his feelings - he was stillan Englishman. Though he might speculatively consider that the mass- of. evil: and. misery had arisen to such-a height in England; 4nd in other European countries; that there was: no longer any hope of a peaceable and gradual: reform, yet, considering at the same time that the - great body. of the people, like the Negroes in the- West Indies, were unprepared for the enjoyment of liberty in its full» extent, and contemplating the evils necessarily attendant upon: a. violent: change, he dreaded a revolution. With respect to America; he had never inters- fered publicly: in politics,.and never wrote an ar- ticle that could be considered in that light in any respect, except one published in a newspapers: ealled the ‘¢ Aurora,” signed “ A Quaker in Po= litics,” published on the 26th and 27th of Fe, bruary, 1798, and entitled ‘© Maxims of Political: Arithmetic,”? and so little did. he interest him-- ae) 180 MEMOIRS OF self in the politics of this country, that he seldom if ever perused the debates in Congress, nor was he much acquainted with any of the leading po- litical characters except three or four, and with these he never corresponded but with Mr. Adams, prior to his being chosen president, and Mr. Jef- ferson. He never was naturalized, nor did he take part directly or indirectly in any election. He persevered in the same sentiments even when he was under reasonable apprehensions that he should be banished as an alien: and though he advised his sons to be naturalized, saying it was what was daily done by persons who could not be suspected of wishing any ill to their native coun- try, yet he would not; but said, that as he had been born, and had lived an Englishman, he would die one let. what might be the conse- quence. : About the year 1799, the friends of liberty in America, were greatly alarmed by the advance- ment of principles disgraceful to America, and by a practice less liberal in many respects thar wnder the monarchial form-of the British govern- ment. Nothing else was the subject of conyer- sation, and my father, who thoagh never active - in politics, at the same time never concealed his. sentiments, uttered them freely in. conversation, and they were of course opposed to the proceed= 5 DR. PRIESTLEY. rer ings of the administration at the time. Added to this, Mr. Thomas Cooper, formerly of Man- chester, and who at that time had undertaken for a short period, at the request of the printer, to edit a newspaper, then printed at Northumber- land, had published some very severe strictures on the conduct of the administration, which were soon after published in a pamphlet, under the title of ** Political Essays.” By many, my father might be ignorantly sup- posed as the prompter on the occasion, as Mr. Cooper lived at that time with my father, and by those who knew better, it was made the ostensi- ble ground of objection to my father, to conceal ‘the realone. In truth, he saw none of the es- says until they were printed, nor was he consulted by Mr. Cooper upon any part of them. The consequence was, that all the bigotry and party zeal of that violent period, was employed to in- jure him, and misrepresent his words and actions. _He was represented as intriguing for offices for himself and his friend, and as an enemy to the government which they said protected. him, while men who were themselves but newly natu- ‘ralized, or the immediate desendants of foreign— ers, bestowed upon him the epithet of alien, an epithet then used by the government party as a term of reproach, though the country was princi- 82 MEMOIRS OF* pally indebted to the capital, industry, and en- terprize of foreigners, for the many improve- ments then carrying on. Such was the effect of all these sianderous reports,’ and such was the character of the administration, that it was inti+ mated to my father, from Mr. Adams himself, that he wished he would abstain from saying any thing on politics, Jest he should get into diffit culty. The alien law, which was ‘passed under that administration, was at that time in operation, and a man without being convicted of; or even: positively charged with any offence, might have been sent out of the country at a moment's warn- ing, not only without a trial, but without the right of remonstrance. It was likewise ‘hinted to my father, as he has himself stated, that he was one of the persons contemplated when’ the law was passed, so little did they know of his real character and disposition. "This ‘occasioned my father to write a set of letters’'to the inhabi- tants of Northumberland; in which he‘expressed’ his sentiments fully on all the political questions- at that tinte under discussion. They had the ef=- fect of removing the unfavourable impressions . that had been made on the minds of the liberal — and candid, and procured him’ many friends..— Fortunately, however, the violent measures then adopted, produced a complete change in thé. DR. PRIESTLEY. SB minds of the people, and in consequence of it in the representation, proving by the peaceableness of it, the excellence of this form of government, and proving also that my father’s sentiments, as well as Mr. Cooper’s, were approved of by nine- tenths of the people of the United States. Itis but justice, however, to mention that in the above remarks, which have been made to re- present my father’s political character in its true light, and to account for his writing on the sub- ject of politics, I do not mean to reflect on all \ the federalists, and that though my father consi- dered them all as inerror, yet he acknowledged himself indebted to many of that party for the most sincere marks of friendship which he had received in this country, and that not only from his opponents in politics, but likewise from many of the principal clergymen of various denomina- tions in Philadelphia, and particularly during his severe illness in that city, when party spirit was _ at the highest, it being at the time of Mr. Jef - ferson’s first election to the presidency. As my father has given an account of those friends to whose kindness and generosity he was principally indebted from the commencement of his literary career, to the time of his coming to America, I think it my duty to follow his ex- 184 MEMOIRS OF ample, and to make on his part those acknow= ledgments which had he lived, he would have taken pleasure in making himself. ‘Fo the Rev. Theophilus Lindsey, independent of the many marks of the most sincere friendship, which he was constantly receiving, he was occasionally in~ debted for pecuniary assistance at times when it was most wanting. Independent of fifty pounds per annum, which Mrs. Elizabeth Rayner al- lowed him frem the time he left England, she Jeft him by her will, two thousand pounds in the four per cents. Mr. Michael Dodson, who is well known as the translator of Isaiah, left him five hundsed pounds ; and Mr. Samuel Salte left him one hundred pounds. The Duke of Grafton remitted him annually forty pounds. Therefore, though his expenses were far greater than he ex- pected, and though his house had cost him dou- ble the sum he had contemplated, the generosity of his friends made him perfectly easy in_ his mind with respect to pecuniary affairs; and by freeing him from all care and anxiety on this head, contributed greatly to his happiness, and to his successful endeavours in the cause of truth, Besides these instances of friendly attention, the different branches of his family have been, in va- rious ways, benefited in consequence of the re- DR. PRIESTLEY, 185: speet paid to my father’s character, and the affec- tionate regard shewn by his friends to all who. were connected with him. - But what gave my father most real pleasure, was the subscription set on foot by his friends in England, to enable him to print his ‘* Church History,’’ and his ‘‘ Notes on all the Books of Scripture.” ‘The whole was done without his - knowledge, and the first information he received on the subject was, that there was a sum raised. sufficient to cover the whole expense. About the time he died, some of his friends in England, understood that he was likely to suffer a loss in point of income, of two hundred pounds per amum. Without any solicitation, about forty of them raised the sum of four hundred and fifty pounds, which was meant to have been continued annually while he lived. He did not live to know of this kind exertion in his favour.. It is my duty, however, to record this instance of generosity, and I do it with pleasure and with : gratitude. It likewise proves, that though my father, by the fearless avowal of his opinions, created many enemies, yet that the honesty and independence of his conduct procured him many friends. _ The first year’s subscription has been trans- T86 MEMOIRS OF mitted to America, to defray the expense of pub- lishing his posthumous works. In the year 1800, he was chiefly employed i in experiments, and writing an account of them for various publications. In this year also he pub- lished his treatise in defence of Phlogiston, he revised his ** Church History,” the two first yo- lumes of which are now reprinted with consider- able additions, and he added to and nr his *«< Notes on the Scriptures.” my He spent some time in the spring of 1801, in Philadelphia, during his stay there he had avio- lent attack of fever, which weakened him ex- ~ceedingly, and from the effects of which he never perfectly recovered. Added to this 4 fever and acue prevailed at Northumberland and the neighbourhood, for the first’ time*since his settlement at the place. He had two or three attacks of this disorder; which though they were not very severe, as he had never more than three fits at a time, retarded his recovery ver much. He perccived the effect of his illness in the diminution cf his strength, and his not being able to take as much exercise as he used to do His spirits, however} were’ good, and he wa very assiduous in making experiments, chiefly 0 the pile of Volta, the result of which he sent DR. PRIESTLEY. 187 account of to * Nicholson’s Journal,” and the «< Medical Repository.” In 1802, he began to print his ** Church His- tory,” in consequence of the subscription, raised by his friends in England, as before stated. Besides printing three volumes of that work, he wrote and printed ‘ A Treatise on Baptism,” chiefly in answer to the observations of Mr. Ro- binson on the subject. He likewise made some experiments, and replied to some remarks of Mr. Cruikshank, in defence of the antiphlogistic theory. _ Iam now to describe the last scene of his life, owhich deserves the reader’s most serious conside- ration, as it shews the powerful effect of his reli- gious principles. They made him, not resigned to quit a world in which he no longer had any delight, and in which no hope of future enjoy- : ment presented itself, but cheerful in the cet- tainty of approaching dissolution, and under _ circumstances that would, by the world in gene- yal, have been considered as highly enviable. They led him to consider death as. the labourer does sleep at night, as being necessary to renew shis mental and corporeal powers, and fit him’ for a future state of activity and happiness. For theugh since his illness in Philadelphia, in 1801, he had never recovered his fornier good HM | ! 188 MEMOIRS OF state of health, yet he had never been confined to his bed a whole day by sickness in America, until within two days of his death, and was never incapacitated for any pursuit that he had been aceustomed to. He took great delight in his garden, and in viewing the little improve- ments going forward in and about the town. The rapidly increasing prosperity of the country, whether as it regarded its agriculture, manufac- tures, and commerce, or the inereasing taste for science and literature, were all of them to him a source of the purest pleasure. For the last four years of his life, he hved under an: administra- tion, the principles and practice of which he per- fectly approved, and with Mr. Jefferson, the head of that administration, he frequently cor- responded, and they had for each other a mutual regard and esteem. He enjoyed the esteem of the wisest and best men in’ the country, particu- larly at Philadelphia, where his religion and his. politics did not prevent his: being kindly and cheerfully received by great numbers of opposite opinions in both, who thus paid homage to his knowledge and virtue. At home he was be- loved; and besides the advantages of an excellent library, to which he was continually making ad= ditions, and of a laboratory that was amply pro- vided with every thing necessary for an experi~ DR. PRIESTLEY. 189 mental chemist, he was perfectly freed, as he had happily been through life, in consequence of my mother’s ability and attention, from any atten- tion to worldly concerns ; considering himself, as he used to express himself, merely as a lodger, having all his time to devote to his theological and philosophical pursuits. He had the satis- faction of witnessing the gradual spread of his - religious opinions, and the fullest conviction that he should prevail over his opponents in che- mistry. He looked forward with the greatest pleasure to future exertions in both these fields, and had within the Jast month or six weeks, . been projecting many improvements in his ap- paratus, which he meant to make use of upon the return of warm weather in the spring. Not- withstanding, therefore, the many trials he un- derwent in this country, he had still great sources of happiness left, unalloyed by any ap- prehension of any material defect in any of his» senses, or any abatement of the vigour of his mind. Consistent with the above was his de- claration that, excepting the want of the society of Mr. L. Mr. B. and two or three other parti- cular friends, which however was made up to: him, in some, though in a smali degree by their egular correspondence, he had never upon the . _ 1906 MEMOIRS OF whole spent any part of his life more happily, nor, he believed, more usefully. The first part of his illness, independent of his: general weakness, the result of his illness in Phi- ladelphia, in 1801, was a constant indigestion, anda difficulty of swallowing meat or any kind of solid food, unless previously reduced by mas- . tication to a perfect pulp. This gradually in- creased upon him till he could swallow liquids but very slowly, and led him to suspect, which he did to the last, that there must be some stop- page in the cesophagus. Lately he lived almost entirely upon tea, chocolate, soups, sago, cus- tard puddings, and the like. During all this time of general and increasing debility, he was busily employed in printing his ** Church His- ’ and the first volume of the ‘Notes on - Scripture ;”’ and in making new and original ex- ' periments, an account of which he sent to the” American Philosophical Society, in two num- bers, one in answer to Dr. Darwin’s ‘“ Obser-~ vations on Spontaneous Generation ;”’ and. the other “On the unexpected Conversion of a” Quantity of the Marine Acid into the Nitrous.” During this period, likewise, he wrote his pam- torv,’ phiet of “Jesus and Socrates compared,” and: reprinted -his “ Essay on Phlogiston.” Her 4 DR. PRIESTLEY. 191 vould not. suffer any one to do for him what he | 1ad been accustomed to do: himself; nor did he iter his former mode of life im any respect, ex- septing that he no longer worked in his garden, and that he read more books of a miscellaneous nature, than he had been used to do when he could work more in his laboratory, which had always served him as a relaxation from his other studies. . From about the beginning of November 1803, to the middle of January 1804, his complaint grew more serious. He was once incapable of swallowing any thing for near thirty hours; and. there being some symptoms of inflammation at his stomach, blisters were applied, which afforded him relief ; and by very great attention to his diet, riding out in a chair when the weather would permit, and living chiefly on the soft parts of oysters, he seemed if not gaining ground, at least not getting worse ; and we had reason to, ope, that if he held out until spring as he was, the same attention to his diet with more exer- ise, which it was impossible for him to take on account of the cold weather, would restore him to healthy He, however, considered his life as very precarious, and used to tell the physician who attended him, that if he could but patch 192 MEMOIRS OF him up for six months longer, he should be per- fectly satisfied, as he should in that time be able to complete printing his works. The swelling of his feet, an alarming symptom of general de- bility, began about this time. To give some idea of the exertions he made even at this time, it is only necessary for me to say, that besides his miscellaneous reading, which was at all trmes very great, he read chisel all the works quoted in his comparison of the different systems of the Grecian philosophers with Christianity, composed that work, and transcribed the whole of it in less than three months. He took the precaution of transcribing © one day in long hand, what he had composed the day before in short hand, that he might by that means leave the work complete as far as it” went, should he not live to complete the whole. | During this period, he composed in a | day his | second reply to Dr. Linn. About this time he ceased performing divine service, which he said he had never before known | himself incapable of performing, notwithstand- | ing he had been a preacher so many years. He likewise now suffered me to rake his firé, rub his” feet with a flesh-brush, and occasionally help him to bed. In the morning likewise he bad | v . DR. PRIESTLEY. 193 his fire made for him, which he always used to do himself, and generally before any of the fa-. mily was stirring. Inthe last fortnight in January, he tvas trou- bled with alarming fits of indigestion; his legs sweiled nearly to his knees, and his weakness in- creased very much. I wrote for him, while he, dictated, the concluding section of his ‘“* New Comparison,” and the Preface and Dedication. | The finishing this work was a source of great, satisfaction to him, as he considered it asa work of as much consequence as any he had ever un- dertaken. The first alarming symptom of aps proaching dissolution, was his being unable to speak to me upon my entering his room, on Tuesday morning, the 31st of January. In his diary I find he stated his situation as follows: “Ill all day—not able to speak for_nearly three hours.”” When he was able to speak, he told ‘me he had slept well, (as he uniformly had done through the whole. of his illness ; so that he never would suffer me, though I frequently requested he would do it, to sleep in the same room with him) that he felt as well as possible; that he got ‘up and shaved himself (which he never omitted doing every morning, till within two days of his death); that he went to his laboratory, and then, found his weakness very great; that he gat back. K H 194 MEMOIRS OF with difficulty; that just afterward his grand- daughter, a child of about six or seven years old, came to him to claim the fulfilment of a promise he had made her the evening before, to give her a five-penny bit. He gave her the money, and was going to speak to her, but found himself : unable. He informed me of this, speaking very slowly a word at a time ; and added, that he had never felt more pleasantly in his whole life, than he did during the time he was unable to speak. After he had taken his medicine, which was bark and laudanum, and drank a bason of strong mutton broth, he recovered suprizingly, and — talked with cheerfulness to all who called upon him, but as though he was fully sensible that he had not long to live. He consented for the first time that I should sleep in the room with : him. % On Wednesday, February 1, he writes, «I was at times much better in the morning: capa- ble of some business: continued better all day.” He spake this morning as strong as usual, and took in the course of the day a good deal of nou- vishment with pleasure. He said, that he felt a return of strength, and with it there was a duty to perform. Heread a good deal in “ New-" come’s Translation of the New Testament,” and “ Stevens’s History of the War.” In the : 5 * DR. PRIESTLEY. 193 -aftemoon he gave me some directions how to proceed with the printing his work, in case he should die. He gave me directions to stop the printing of the second volume, and to begin upon the third, that he might see how it was begun, and that it might serve as a pattern to me to pro- ceed by. On Thursday, the 2d, he wrote thus fer the Jast time in his diary: ‘* Much worse: incapa- ble of business: Mr. Kennedy came to receive instructions about printing, in case of my death.” He sat up, however, a great part of the day, was cheerful, and gave Mr. Cooper and my- self some directions, with the same composure as though he had only been about to leave home for a short time. Though it was fatiguing to him to talk, he read a good deal in the works above mentioned. On Friday he was much better. He sat-up.a good part of the day reading “‘ Newcome;”’ ** Dr. Disney’s Translatiow of the Psalms ;”” and some chapters in the “* Greek Testament,”’ which was his daily practice. He corrected a proof-sheet _of the ** Notes on Isaiah.” When he went to bed he was not so well: he had an idea he should not live another day. At prayer-time he wished _ to have the children kneel by his bedside, saying it gave him great pleasure to see the little things 196 "MEMOIRS OF kneel ; and, thinking he possibly might not sce them again, he gave them his blessing.. On Saturday, the 4th, my father got up: for about an hour while his bed was made. He said he felt more comfortable in bed than up. He read a good deal, and looked over the first sheet of the third volume of the ‘* Notes,’’ that he might see how we were likely to go on with it; and having examined the Greek and Hebrew quotations, and finding them right, he said he was satisfied we should finish the work very well. — In the course of the day, he expressed his.grati- tude in being permitted te die quietly in his fa- mily, without pain, with every convenience and comfort he could wish for. He dwelt upon the peculiarly happy situation in which it had pleased the Divine Being to place him in life; and the great advantage he had enjoyed in the acquaint- ance and friendship of some of the best and -wisest men in the age in which‘he lived, and the satisfaction he derived from having led an useful as well as a happy life. On Sunday he was much weaker, and only sat up in an armed chair while his bed was made. He desired me to read to him the eleventh chap- ter of John. I was going on to read to the end of the chapter, but he stopped me at the forty- . ‘fifth verse. He dwelt for some time on the ad-— bien id DR. PRIESTLEY. 167 vantage he had derived from reading the scrip- tures daily, and advised me to do the same; saying, that it would prove to me, as it had done to him, a source of the purest pleasure. He de- sired me to reach him a pamphlet which was at his bed’s head, ‘*Simpson on the Duration of Future Punishment.”’—* It will be a source of satisfaction to you to read that pamphlet,” said he, giving it tome, “it contains ny sentiments, and a belief in them will be a support to you in the most trying circumstances, as it has been to me. We shall all meet finally: we only require different degrees of discipline, suited to our dif- ferent tempers, to prepare us for final happiness.” Upon Mr. coming into his room, he said, *©You see, Sir, I am still living.’ Mr. —— observed, he would always live. ‘* Yes,” said he, “I believe I shall; and we shall all meet again in another and a better world.” He said this with great animation, laying hold on Mr. ——’s hand in both his. Before prayers he desired me to reach him three publications, about which he would give me some directions next morning. His weakness would not permit him to do it at that "time. At prayers he had all the children brought to ° his bed-side as before. After prayers they wished 198 MEMOIRS OF him a good night, and were leaving the room. He desired them to stay, spoke to them each separately. He exhorted them all to continue to love each other. ‘*And you, little thing,’ _ speaking to Eliza, ‘“‘remember the hymn you learned ; § Birds in their little nests agree,’ &c. Iam going to sleep as well as you: for death is only a good long sound sleep in the grave, and we shall meet again.”” He congratulated us on the dispositions of our children; said it was @ satisfaction to see them likely to turm out well; and continued for some time to express his con-~ fidence in a happy immortality, and in a future ‘state, which would afford us an ample field for the exertion of our faculties. On Monday morning, the 6th of February, after having lain perfectly still till four.o’clock in the morning, he called to me, but in a fainter tone than usual, to give him some wine and tinc- ture of bark. I asked him how he felt. He © answered, he had no pain, but appeared fainting ~ away gradually. About an hour after, he asked — me for some chicken-broth, of which he took a_ tea-cup full. His pulse was quick, weak, and fluttering, his breathing, though easy, short. About cight o’clock, he asked me to give him — some egg and wine. fier this he lay quite still till ten o’clock, when he desired- me and Mr. — B | . : : ’ DR. PRIESTLEY. 199 Cooper to bring him the pamphlets we had looked out the evening before. He then dic- tated as clearly and distinctly as he had ever done in his life, the additions and alterations he wished to have made ineach. Mr. Cooper took down the substance of what he said, which, when he had done, I read to him. He said Mr. Cooper had put it in his own language; he wished it to be put in his. I then took a pen and ink to his bed-side. He then repeated over again, nearly word for word, what he had before said; and when I had done, I read it over to him. He said, “That is right ; [ have now done.”’ About half an hour after he desired, in a faint voice, that we would move him from the bed on which he lay to a cot, that he might lie with his lower limbs horizontal, and his head upright. He died in about ten minutes after we had moved him, but breathed his last so easy, that neither myself or my wife, who were both sitting close to him, perceived it at the time. He had put his hand to his face, which prevented our observing it.” The above account, which conveys but a very inadequate idea of the composure and cheerful- ness of his last moments, deserves the attention of unbelievers in general, particularly of philo- sophical unbelievers. They have known him to be zealous and active in the pursnit of philoso- 200 MEMOIRS OF phical truths, and to be ever ready to acknow- ledge any mistakes he may have fallen into. By the perusal of these Memoirs, they have found that he gradually, and after much thought and reflection, abandoned all those opinions which disgrace, what is usually called Christianity in the eyes of rational men, and whose incon- sistency with reason and common sense has most probably been the cause of their infidelity and of their total inattention to the evidences of ‘Christianity. These opinions he abandoned, because he could not find tltem supported either in the Scriptures or m the genuine writings of the early Christians. They must be sensible that the same desire for truth, and the same fear~ Jess spirit of inquiry, and the same courage in the open avowal of the most obnoxious tenets, would have led him to have discarded religion altogether, had he seen reason so to do; and there is little doubt but that he would have been subject to less obloquy by so doing, than by ex- posing the various corruptions of Christianity in the manner he did. They have seen, however, that in proportion as he attended to the subject, his faith in Christianity increased, and produced _ that happy disposition of mind described in these Memoirs. The subject is therefore well deserv- ing of their attention, and they should be in-. 1 DR. PRIESTLEY. 201 duced from so fair an example, and the weight due to my father’s opinions, to make themselves fully acquainted with the arguments in favour of Christianity, before they. reject it as an idle fable. ; Many unbelievers have, no doubt, borne with great patience severe calamities; they have suf- fered death with great fortitude, when engaged in a good cause, and many have courted death to serve their friends or their country. It must, however, be allowed that there is no great merit in meeting death with fortitude when it cannot be avoided, and likewise that the aboye cases cannot be absolutely calculated upon, as there is no sufficient motive to account for their conduct. But upon a truly practical Christian, there is the greatest dependance to be placed, for acting well in all the situations in which he may be found ; his highest interest being connected with the performance of the greatest duties; and even ‘supposing that many persons, who are not’ | Christians, from favourable circumstances, at- ‘tendant upon their birth and education, and from a naturally happy temperament of body and mind, may, and it must be allowed do acquire a habit of disinterested benevolence, and may in general be depended upon to act uniformly well KS 202 MEMOIRS OF DR. PRIESTLEY. in life, still the Christian has a decided advan- tage over them in the hour of death, as to con- sider death as necessary to his entering upon a new and enlarged sphere of activity and enjoy- ment, is a privilege that belongs to him alone. A CATALOGU® OF BOOKS, WRITTEN BY DOCTOR PRIESTLEY, On General Philosophy. x. THE History and present State of Electricity, with origi- nal Experiments, illustrated with Copper-plates; 5th edition, corrected. : 2. A Familiar Introduction to the Study of Electricity; 5th edition, 8vo. 3. The History and present State of Discoveries relating to Vision, Light, and Colours; 2 vols. 4to, illustrated with a great - number of Copper-plates. . Heads of a Course of Lectures on Experimental Philoso- phy, including Chemistry. ' 5. A Familiar Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Perspective, with Copper-plates, On Pneumatic Chemistry. ; 6. Experiments and Observations on different kinds of Air , and other branches of Natural Philosophy, connected with the subject, 3 vols. 8vo. being the former six volumes abridged and methodised, with many additions, . i 7. Philosophical Empiricism; containing Remarks on a narge of Plagiarism, made by Dr. Higgins; interspersed with. bservations relating to different kinds of Air.—Pamphlet. 8. Experiments relating to the Decomposition of Dephlogis- ticated and Infammable Air; and on the Generation of Air from Water.—Pamphlet. : g. On the Analysis of Atmospherical Air ; with further Ex- periments on the Generation of Air from Water.— Pamphlet. 30. Considerations on the Doctrine of Phlogiston and the Decomposition of Water, in two parts.—Pamphlet. x1. The Doctrine of Phlogiston established; with Obserya- tions on the Conversion of Iron into Steel, in a Letter to Mr, Nicholson. Northumberland, 1803,—Pamphlet. L WORKS OF Besides these, there are several detached papers and commu nications to various Philosophical Societies. On DM etaphysics. x12. An Examination of Dr. Reid’s Inquiry into the Human Mind, onthe Principles of Common Sense; Dr. Beattie’s Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth; and Dr. Oswald’s Appeal to Common Sense, in behalf of Religion, 8vo. 13. Hartley’s Theory of the Human Mind, on the Principle of the Association of Ideas, with Essays relating to the subject of it, 8vo. 14. Disquisitions relating to. Matterand Spirit. To which is added, the History of the Philosophical Doctrine concerning the Origin of the Soul, and the Nature of Matter; with its in- fluence on Christianity, especially with respect to the Doctrine of the Pre existence of Christ. Also, the Doctrine of Philoso- phical Necessity illustrated, 2d edition, enlarged and improved ; with Remarks on those who have conttoverted the principles of them, 2 vols. 8vo. 15. A Free Discussion of the Doctrines of Materialism and Philosophical Necessity, in a Correspondence between Dr. Price and Dr. Priestley; to which are added, by Dr. Priestley, an In- troduction, explaining the nature of the controversy, and Letters to several writers, who have animadverted en his Disquisitions relating to Matter and Spirit, or his Treatise on Necessity, 8vo. 16. A Defence of the Doctrine of Necessity, in two Letters, tothe Rev. Mr. John Palmer.—Pamphlet. x7. A Letter to Jacob Bryant, Esq in defence of Philosophi- eal Necessity. —Pamphlet. 18. A Philosophical Inquiry concerning Human Liberty, by W. Collins, Esq. with a Preface by Dr. Priestley —Pamphlet- On Civil Liberty. 19. Present State of Liberty in Great Britain, and the Colo- fies. .1769.—Pamphlet. , : 20. An Essay on the first Principles of Government, and on the Nature of Political, Civil, and Religious Liberty, 2d edition, &vo. In this edition are introduced the Remarks on Church Authority, in answer to Dr. Balguy, formerly published sepa- rately. a Political Dialogues on the General Principles of Govern- ment. 1791, 12mo0.—Pamphlet. GARE) aN : 22. Letters to the Right Hon. Edmund Burke, on his Re- Sections on the Revolution in France, 8vo.— Pamphlet. 23. An Address to Protestant Dissenters, of all denomina- tions, on the approaching election of Members of Parliament; DR, PRIESTLEY. . with respect te the state of public Liberty in. general, and of American Affairs in particular. London, 1776.—Pamphlet. ' 24. Letters to the Inhabitants of Northumberland,--Pamphlet. On Religious Liberty. 25. A Free Address to Protestant Dissenters as'such. By 2 Dissenter—Pamphlet. . , 26. Remarks on certain passages in Blackstone’s Commenta- ae on the Laws of England, relating to the Dissenters. —Pam- phlet. : 27. A View of the Principles and Conduct of the Protes- tant Dissenters, with respect to the civil and ecclesiastical Con- stitution of England.— Pamphlet. 28. A Free Address to those who petitioned in 1780, for the Repeal of a late Act of Parliament, in favour of the Roman Catholics, —Pamphlet. 29. Letter of Advice to the Dissenters who conduct 'the ape plication to Parliament for Relief in matters of Subscription.— Pamphlet. 30. A Letter to the Right Hon. William Pitt, first Lord of the Treasury, and CKancellor of the Exchequer, on the subject of Toleration and Church Establishments; occasioned by his Speech against the Repeal of the ‘Test and Corporation Acts.—= Pamphlet. 31. A Sermon preached before the Congregations of the Old and New Meetings at Birmingham, Nov. 5, 1789, recommend- ing the:conduct to be observed by Dissenters in order to procure the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts. { ; _ 32. Familiar Letters, addressed to the Inhabitants of the ‘Town of Birmingham, in refutation of several charges advanced against the Dissenters and Unitarians, by the Rev Edward Burn, in answer to his, on the Infallibility of the Apostolic Tes- timony concerning the Person of Christ. And Considérations on the differences of opinion among Christians, in answer to. the Rev. Mr. Venn. | ; 33- An Appeal tothe Public, onthe subject of the Riots in Birmingham, in two parts, 8vo, ; On Ecclesiastical History. “34. A History ofthe Corruptions of Christianity, witha ges neral conclusion, intwo parts. Part I. containing Considera- tions addressed to the Advocates for the present Establishment, and especially to Bishop Hurd, 2. vols. 8vo. ; 35. A Reply to the Animadversions on the History of the Corruptions of Christianity, in the Monthly Review for June, 1783; with Observations relating to the Doctrine of the Primi: tive Church, concerning the Person of Christ, 8vo,—Pamphlet. WORKS OF j6. Remarks on the Monthly Review of the Letters to Dr. Horsley ; in which the Rev. Mr. Samuel Badcock, the-writer of that Review, is called upon to defend what he has advanced in it, —Pamphlet. * 37. Letters to Dr. Horsley, Archdeacon of St. Alban’s, ir three parts, containing farther evidence that the Primitive Christian Church was Unitarian, 8vo. 7 38. A History of Early Opinions concerning Jesus Christ, compiled from original writers; proving that the Christian Church was at first Unitarian, 4 vols. 8vo 39. A General History of the Christian Church, to the Fall of the Western Empire, in 2 vols. vo. - 40. A Continuation of the History of the Christian Church, from the Fall of the Western Empire to the present Times, 4 vols. 8vo.— Northumberland, 1803. 41. A History of the Sufferings of Lewis de Marolles, and Mr. Isaac Le Fevre, upon the revocation of the edict of Nania ; with a Preface, 8vo. On the Evidences of the Christian Revelation. a 43. An Outline of the Evidences of Revealed Religion, r2mo,. Philadelphia, 1797.—Pamphlet. : 44. Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever, containing an Ex- amination of the principal Objections te the Doctrine of Natu- ral Religion, and especially those contained in the writings of Mr. Hume. Also, a State of the Evidence of Revealéd Reli- gion, with animadversions on the two last chapters of the first volume of Mr. Gibbons’s History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire; and an Answer to the Letters of Mr. William Hammon, 2 vols. 8vo. 45. A Comparison of the Institutions, of Moses, with those of the Hindoos, and other ancient Nations, 8vo. Northumber- land, 1799. 46. A Comparison of the Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy : 42. Institutes of Natural and'Revealed Religion, in @ vols, 8vo. compared with Christianity, vo. Northumberland, 1804. 47. Discourses on the Evidences of Divine Revelation, 3 vols. 8vo. London and Philadelphia. 48. A’View of Revealed Religion. A Sermon on the Ad- mission of the Rev. W. Field, of Warwick, with a Charge by the Rev. Thomas Belsham.—Pamphlet. 49. ‘On the Originality and the Superior Excellence of the Mosaic Institutions. Pamphlet. Northumberiand. 50. Letters to the Philosophers and Politicians of France, on the subject of Religion. Pamphlet. { 51. A Continuation of the Letters to the Philosophers and — Poiiticians of France, with a Preface by the Rev. Theophilus — Lindsey, being an Answer to Paine’s Age of Reason.--Pamphlet | i DR. PRIESTLEY. §2. Letters to the Jews: inviting them to an amicable dis- cussion of the Evidences of Christianity, intwo parts. Pamphlet. 53. A Discourse on the Evidence of the Resurrection of fesus. 54. Observations on the Incvease of Infidelity, with Obser- vations on the Writings of several Modern Unbelievers, and especially the Ruins of Mr. Volney. Northumberland and Philadelphia, 1797.—Pamphlet. 55. Letter to Mr. Volney, occasioned by his work called The Ruins,and by his Letter to the Author. Philadelphia, Pamphlet. 56. Socrates and Jesus compared. Philadelphia. Pamphlet. 57. Two Letters to the Rev. John Blair Lynn, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, in defence of the Pamphlet, entitled Socrates and Jesus compared. Northumber- land, 1803. Tracts in Defence of Unitarianism. 38. Defences of Unitarianism, for the year 1786; containing Letters to Dr. Horne, Dean of Canterbury ; to the Young Men, who are in a course of education for the Christian Ministry, at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge ; to Dr. Price and to Mr. Parkhurst, on the subject of the Person of Christ. 59. Defence of Unitarianism, for the year 1787; containing Letters to the Rev. Dr. Geddes, to the Rev. Dr. Price, Part II. and to the Candidates for Orders in the two Universities, Part Il. relating to Mr. Howes’s Appendix to his 4th volume of Ob-" servations on Books, a Letter by an Under-graduate of Oxford, Dr Croft’s Bampton Lectures, and several other Publications. 60. Defences of Unitarianism for the years 1788, and 17893 containing Letters tothe Bishop of St. David’s; to the Rev. Mr. Barnard; to the Rev. Dr. Knowles, and the Rev. Mr. Hawkins. 61. A Letter to a Layman, on the subject of Mr. Lindsey’s proposal for a reformed English Church, on the plan of the late Dr. Samuel Clarke.—Pamphlet. 62. An appeal to the serious and candid profes:ors of Chris- tianity, on the following subjects, viz. 1 ‘Che Use of Reason in Matters of Religion. 2. The Power of Man todo the Will of God. 3. Original Sin. 4. Election and Reprobation. 5. The Divinity of Christ; and 6. Atonement for Sin by the Death of Christ ; to which is added, a concise History of those Doctrines, and an account of the Trial of Mr. Elwall, for Heresy and Blasphemy, at Stafford Assizes——Pamphlet. 63. Letters to the anonymous answer of the Appeal; and Queries to the Rev. Thomas Morgan, and Mr. Cornelius Caley. ° Leeds, 1771. 64. A Familiar Illustration of certain passages of Scripture ‘relating to the same subjects.—Pamphlet. -65. A General View of the Arguments for the Unity of WORKS OF God, and against the Divinity and Pre-existence of Christ, from: Reason, from the Scriptures, and from History.—Pamphlet. . - 66. Unitarianism explained and defended, ina Discourse dee livered at Philadelphia, in the year 1796. —Pam philet. 67. An Address to the Unitarian Congregation . at Philadel- phia.—Pamphlet. re Miscelianeaus Theclogy. 68. A Harmony of the Evangelists in Greek; to which are prefixed, Critical Dissertations in English, gto. : 69. A Harmony of the Evangelists in English, with Notes, and an occasional Paraphrase, for the use of the unlearned. Ta which are prefixed, Critical Dissertations, and a Letter to Bishop Newcome, 4to. 70. Forms of Prayer, and other Offices, for the Use of Unie tarian Societies, 8vo. 7x. Discourses on various subjects, viz. On resigning the Pastoral Office at Leeds—~On undertaking the Pasteral Officeat Eirmingham—The proper Constitution ofa Christian Church, with a Preface on the picesn State of those who are called ra= tional Dissenters—The Importance and Extent of Free Inquiry: —TThe Doctrine of Divine Influence on the Human Mind— Habitual Devotion—The Duty of not Living to Ourselyes— The Danger of Bad Habits—The Duty of not being ashamed of the Gospe!—Glorying in the Cross of Christ—-Taking the Cross and following Christ—The Evidence of Christianity. from the Persecution of Christians, 8vo. / 72, Notes on allthe Books of the Old and New esearnaet, for the use ofthe Pulpit and private Families, 4 vols, 8vo. Nore. thumberland, 1804. 1 73. Letters to the Members of the New Jerusalem. Church, founded by Baron Swedenborg.—Pamphlet. 74. Letters toa Young Man, occasioned by Mr. Wakefield’s : Essay on Public Worship.—Pamphiet. i} 75. Letters toa Young Man, Part Il. in reply to Mr. Evan- son, on the Dissonance of the Gospels. —Pamphlet. ; 76. Three Letters to Dr. Newcome, Bishop of Waterford, on the Duration of our Saviour’s Ministry.—Pamphlet. ” 77. An Index to the Bible, in which the various subjects which occur in the Scriptures, are alphabetically arranged, with faccurate references to all the Books ofthe Oldand New Testa- juents, tzmo. Philadelphia, 1804. 8, A Free Address to Protestant Dissenters, on the subject gf the Lord’s Supper.—Pamphlet.. 79. An Address to Protestant Dissenters, on the subject of Piving the Lord s Supper to Children.— Pamphlet. So. A Free Address to Protestant Dissenters, on the subject of Church Discipline; with a preliminary Discourse concern= 2 DR. PRIESTLEY. ing the Spirit of Christianity, and the Corruptions of it by false notions of religion.— Pamphlet. 8x. Letters to the Author, of Remarks on several late publi- cations, relative to the Lissenters, in a letter to Dr. Priestley.— Pamphlet. : 82. Letters to an Antipeedo-Baptist. Pamphlet. Northum~ berland. 83. On the Knowledge of a Future State among the He- brews. Northumberland. Pamphlet. 84. The Theological Repository, edited by Dr. Priestley, in 6 vols. Svo. 85. Letters of the Rev. John Wesley, with an Address tothe Methodists.—Pamphlet. : 86. A Catechism for Children and Young Persons. 87. A Scripture Catechism, consisting of a series of questions with references to the Scriptures, instead of answers. 88. Dr. Watt’s Historical Catechism, with alterations. 89. Considerations for the Use of Young Men, andthe Pa- tents of Young Men. : go. A Serious Address to Masters of Families, with Forms of Family Prayer.—/’amphlet. 91. The proper Objects of Education, in the present state of the world, represented in a Discourse delivered April 27,1791, to the Supporters of the New College at Hackney, witha Prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Belsham.—Pamphlet. 92. A Discourse on occasion of the death of Dr. Price, deli- vered at Hackney, May 1, with a short sketch of his life and character, and a list of his writings. —Pamphlet. 93. A particular Attention to the Instruction of the Young, recommended in a Discourse at Hackney, Dec. 31, 1791, on en- tering on the Pastoral Office there.—Pamphlet. 94. The Duty of Forgiveness; a Discourse intended to have been delivered soon aiter the Riots in Birmingham,—Pam- hlet. + gs. A Sermon on the Slave Trade, preached at Birmingham 1783.—Pamphlet. 96. Reflections on Death ; a Sermon on the death of the Rev, Robert Robinson, of Cambridze.—Pamphlet. 97- A Sermon on the Fast-day, 1793 —Pamphlet. 98. TwoSermons. 1. On the Fast-day, 1794, with a Pre- face; containing the Author’s reasons for leaving England. * a. The Useof Christianity, especially in difficult times; being the Author’s Farewell Discourse to his, Congregation.—Pam- phlets. 99- The Case of the poor Emigrants recommended, in a Dis- course delivered at Philadelphia, A.D. 1797.—Pamphlet. 100. Four posthumous Sermons, published by direction of the Author. Northumberland. 1806. WORKS OF DR. PRIESTLEY. Miscellaneous Literature. rot. A new Chart of History, containing a View of the principal Revolutions of Empire that have taken place in the World, to the close of 1800; with a Book describing it, con- taining an Epitome of Universal History. 10z. A Chart of Biography, to the close of 1800; with a Book containing an Explanation of it, and a catalogue of all-the names inserted in it. : 103. The Rudiments of English Grammar, adapted to the use of schools. 104. The same Grammar, with Notes and Observations, for the use of those who have made some proficiency in the lan- wage. . Lo Lectures on History and General Policy; to which is prefixed, an Essay ona course of liberal education for civil and active life, 4to. or in two vols-8vo. 106. Observations relating to Education; more especially as it respects the mind. ‘To which is added, an Essay on a course of liberal education for civil and active life. 107. A Course of Lectures on Oratory and Criticism, 4to. 108. Account of a Society for the Relief of the industrious _ Poor, with arecommendation of Benefit Societies, —Pamphlet. C. Stower, Printer, Paternoster Row. >. et : | ay ce a DATE DUE OCT 35 — 7 1a| | SEP 2 2 1999 a sina 200 | DEMCO 38-297 pl