Travels in the United States and Canada. 4G7 



stance of its author being the grandson of the great Priestley, whose 

 splendid career was spent in doing good ; and whose efforts were so 

 disgracefully marred by his own countrymen— whose treatment of 

 him is an eternal stain on the land. After visiting various parts of 

 the United States and Canada, Mr. Finch bent his way to North- 

 umberland, on the Susquehanna. He arrived at this town at noon, 

 and inquired for the mansion and tomb of Dr. Priestley. The fol- 

 low ing remarks are interesting: 



" In his youth he had to struggle with many difficulties. 



" Fortiaque adversis opponite pectora rebus." 



When thirty years of age he was minister of a small country church, 

 with a salary of twenty-five pounds sterling a-year; a hesitation in 

 his speech, which prevented his being a popular preacher, and his 

 sentiments of religious truth were opposed. He had to contend with 

 disease, poverty, and persecution. 



" What had he to support him in this forlorn and desolate situa- 

 tion ? His dependence was upon God, whom his enemies said he 

 contemned; and that love of science which often renders its votary 

 superior to evils which would crush other men. He was content if 

 he could procure a few tests for his chemical experiments, or glass 

 for an electrical machine. His first experiments were, made with an 

 apparatus that cost a few shillings, and by its means the world was 

 made acquainted with the constituent parts of the atmosphere. 



" Fortune began to be tired of persecuting a man who felt not 

 her frowns, and his advancing age saw him gradually emerge from 

 the clouds which seemed to envelop him. 



" His finances became more favourable, and he finally enjoyed 

 affluence. 



" He was chosen a member of the most distinguished learned 

 societies of the age. 



" He lived to see his religious opinions adopted by numerous 

 churches. 



" He acquired honourable fame. 



" He enjoyed the truest happiness that human life can afford — 

 the society of those elevated by talent and virtue to a high station in 

 society. He was the intimate friend of Lindsey, Barbauld, and 

 Aiken ; of Price, Watt, and Keir ; of Shelburne, Galton, and 

 Franklin ; of Cavendish, Lavoisier, and Jefferson. 



" The friend of those individuals must have been a happy and a 

 distinguished man. 



" He corresponded with the scientific men of the century in which 

 he lived. 



" I went to view his mansion, where the last few years of his life 

 were passed. On the peaceful shore of the gentle Susquehanna he 

 might congratulate himself, 



" Di avers finalmente trorato on porto alia sua agitata fortuna." 



The garden, orchard, and lawn, extend to the side of the river. 



A sun-dial, which still retains its station, was presented to Dr. 



Priest lev by an eminent mathematician in London. Two large 



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