Biographical Memoir of' Dr Priestley. 229 



London, in the dissenting college of Hackney *, where he 

 taught chemistry, and where he succeeded as a minister the 

 celebrated Dr Price. Here his enemies had abundance of time 

 to deliver him up to justice, and would have met with no oppo- 

 sition to their purpose, had there existed the slightest proof 

 against him. But they contented themselves with painting him in 

 the most frightful colours in the periodical writings and political 

 pamphlets of the day. 



There are few examples to be found of such an outbreaking 

 of hatred ; and this atrocious attempt to blacken the character of 

 a man who did so much honour to his country, would be inex- 

 plicable, were it not that we had seen so many examples, within 

 these last fifteen years, of the power of party spirit in poisoning 

 public opinion, , and had not fifteen centuries taught us to what 

 an extent accusations, advanced under the pretext of religion, 

 may be carried f. 



There was nothing in his personal character that seemed calcu- 

 lated to excite such hatred. His controversies had no influence 

 upon his sentiments ; he was, for example, always on friendly 

 terms with Dr Price, although they had often written against each 

 other. Far from being any way haughty or turbulent in his 

 manner, his conversation disclosed all the modesty of his writings, 

 and nothing was more easy to him to say than those .words; / do 

 not know, a confession which costs most professed men of science 

 so much to pronounce. His countenance bore the impress of 

 melancholy, rather than of uneasiness ; and yet he did not fear 

 to join the society of a few friends, nor to give himself up to a 

 gentle gaiety in this familiar connection. This man, so profound- 



• He published, when in this situation, Heads of Lectures of a Course of 

 Experimental Philosophy, particularly comprehending Chemistry. 1794, 8vo. 



f On the Birmingham Riots, and the conduct and sentiments of Priest- 

 ley during the Revolution, the following works may be consulted : 



Familiar Letters addressed to the Inhabitants of Birmingham, for the 

 purpose of refuting various accusations advanced against the Dissenters. 

 1790, 8vo, 5 parts. 



Letters to Edmund Burke, occasioned by his Reflections on the French 

 Revolution. 1791, 8vo. 



Letter to the Inhabitants of Birmingham ; Defence of the Revolution 

 Dinner ; by Mr Weiss. Recital of Facts relative to that Dinner, with the 

 Toasts ; by Mr Russell. 1791, 8vo. 



Appeal to the Public concerning the Birmingham Riots. 2 parts, 1791 

 and 1793. m 



