MEMOIR OF PRIESTLEY. 149 



against liira were held in peculiar favor, and in some cases were, on 

 this very account, rewarded with prelacies ; which led Priestley pleas- 

 antly to observe " that he might he considered as holding the portfolio 

 of such benefices in his own hands." But the aversion he inspired 

 did not stop within these venial limits ; there is too much reason to 

 think that the popular turbulence of which he was the victim was 

 greatly fomented by the intemperate writings and discourses of min- 

 isters of the establishment. 



The first movements of the Frencli revolution had at that time 

 wrought division, not only in France, but in all the States, cities, and 

 even families of Europe. As yet there was no outbreak but in France, 

 but men disputed everywhere, and, strange to say, it was precisely in 

 the freest countries that the greatest ardor for revolution manifested 

 itself. Under these circumstances the partisans of the British gov- 

 ernment had recourse to means of which the enemies of government 

 in France were setting a successful example, and prompted the popular 

 riots by which the revolutionists, or those suspected of being such, 

 were assailed. 



Not the least formidable of these riots was that wliich occurred at 

 Birmingham, July 14, 1791. A banquet was given on that day by 

 persons of different sects, including some episcopalians, to celebrate 

 the anniversary of the attack upon the Bastile, and it was reported 

 that Priestley was the chief promoter of the festival. As his enemies 

 had spared no means of inflaming the popular mind, resorting even 

 to the fabrication of tickets of invitation replete with sedition, and 

 ■of toasts steeped in criminality or absurdity_, a heated crowd is soon 

 collected ; the calumny circulates and is aggravated by the most 

 odious imputations ; and the tavern finally, where the guests are assem- 

 bled, is assaulted and sacked. The furious multitude exclaim aloud 

 against Priestley ; he is the organ of dissent, the file leader of revo- 

 lution, the man against whom has long been levelled the hatred of 

 every true friend of his country. The moment has arrived when they 

 can avenge themselves. 



The unfortunate philosopher, so far from participating in the dinner, 

 was ignorant of what was imputed to him and of all that was passing 

 in the city. But an excited rabble listens to nothing ; they conclude 

 that he lias taken flight, and proceed with torches and other instru- 

 ments of destruction to his mansion. 



This was a modest retreat, half a mile in the country, where he 

 lived with his wife and two sons in the simplicity of ancient manners. 

 Here it was that he had received the homage of men illustrious by 

 birth or merit, none of whom would have been content to leave Eng- 

 land without seeing him ; and here for eleven years he had divided 

 his time between the pursuit of science, the instruction of youth, and 

 the exercise of that charity whicli he considered the first duty of his 

 ministry. 



Here there was only one ornament to be seen, only an incomparable 

 one ; the rich collection of instruments, in great part devised and con- 

 structed by himself; the focus from which had radiated so many new 

 truths, and which had dift'used inestimable benefits among those who 

 .now rushed to its destruction ; for these were almost all artisans of 



