8 JOSEPH riilESTLEY I 



In 1772 another proposal was made to Priest- 

 ley. Lord Shelburne, desiring a " literary com- 

 panion/' had been brought into communication 

 with Priestley by the good othces of a friend of 

 both, Dr. Price; and olfered him the nominal 

 post of librarian, with a good house and appoint- 

 ments, and an annuity in case of the termination 

 of the engagement. Priestley accepted the olfer, 

 and remained with Lord Shelburne for seven years, 

 sometimes residing at Calne, sometimes travelling 

 abroad with the Earl. 



Whv the connection terminated has never been 

 exactly known; but it is certain that Lord 

 Shelburne behaved with the utmost consideration 

 and kindness towards Priestley; that he fulfilled 

 his engagements to the letter; and that, at a later 

 period, he expressed a desire that Priestley should 

 return to his old footing in his house. Probably 

 enough, the politician, aspiring to the highest 

 ofhces in the State, may have found the posi- 

 tion of the protector of a man who was being 

 denounced all over the country as an infidel and 

 an atheist somewhat embarrassing. In fact, a pas- 

 sage in Priestley's " Autobiography " on the occa- 

 sion of the publication of his " Disquisitions relat- 

 ing to flatter and Spirit," which took place in 1777, 

 indicates pretty clearly the state of the case: — 



"(126) It being probable that this publication would be 

 unpopular, and might be the means of bringing odium on 

 my patron, several attempts were made by his friends, 



