230 Biogi'aphical Memoir of Dr Priestley. 



ly versed in science of various kinds, passed several hours daily in 

 instructing yovmg children. It was always the occupation that 

 he preferred above every other, and his scholars still regard 

 him with filial affection, several even with a real enthusiasm. 



But no consideration could restrain him when he thought he 

 had some truth to defend ; and this trait of his character, so 

 praiseworthy in itself, destroyed the effect of his amiable quali- 

 ties, and formed the torment of his life, because he carried it to 

 excess, and because he forgot that reasoning is but the smallest 

 of the means necessary for propagating opinions which interfere 

 with long-continued habits or with present interests. 



The insults that were heaped upon him, and the fear of com,, 

 promising the life and fortune of his friends, rendered at length 

 a residence in his native country intolerable. His new esta- 

 blishment at Hackney, where his industry and patience had al- 

 ready enabled him to repair a part of the disasters of Birming- 

 ham, was unable to retain him ; and as to emigrate to France 

 during the war would have been to justify all the imputations 

 of his enemies, he saw repose only in the United States of Ame- 

 rica ; but he was long before he found it there ; the prejudices 

 that had inflicted upon him so much misery in England, fol- 

 lowed him across the Atlantic, and until Mr Jefferson was no- 

 minated to the presidency, he was not without fear of being 

 still obliged to quit his asylum. 



The dedication which he makes of his Ecclesiastical History 

 to that great magistrate, in gratitude for the tranquillity which 

 he bestowed upon him, and Mr Jefferson's reply, afford beautiful 

 models of the intercourse which may exist between men of 

 science and men of power, without bringing disgrace upon either 

 party *. 



Priestley proposed to devote the rest of his life to that work, 

 in which he intended to bring together into one view the develope- 

 ments and proofs of all his theological opinions ; but he was 

 arrested at the fourth volume by a fatal accident. His food 

 was one day found poisoned, and nobody knew by what mis- 

 fortune ; his whole family was in danger, and after this he did 



* We are aware that we have not by any means mentioned the whole of 

 Priestley's works ; we have even remarked, that there is as yet no complete 

 catalogue of them. 



