V.] JOSEPH PRIESTLEY. 101 



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

 popular, and might be the means of bringing odium on my 

 patron, several attempts were made by his friends, though none 

 by himself, to dissuade me from persisting in it. But being, as 

 I thought, engaged in the cause of important truth, I proceeded 

 without regard to any consequences, assuring them that this 

 publication should not be injurious to his lordship." 



It is not unreasonable to suppose that his lordship, 

 as a keen, practical man of the world, did not derive 

 much satisfaction from this assurance. The " evident 

 marks of dissatisfaction " which Priestley says he first 

 perceived in his patron in 1778, may well have arisen 

 from the peer's not unnatural uneasiness as to what 

 his domesticated, but not tamed, philosopher might 

 write next, and what storm might thereby be brought 

 down on his own head ; and it speaks very highly for 

 Lord Shelburne's delicacy that, in the midst of such 

 perplexities, he made not the least attempt to interfere 

 with Priestley's freedom of action. In 1780, however, 

 he intimated to Dr. Price that he should be glad to 

 establish Priestley on his Irish estates : the suggestion 

 was interpreted, as Lord Shelburne probably intended 

 it should be, and Priestley left him, the annuity of 

 150 a year, which had been promised in view of such 

 a contingency, being punctually paid. 



After leaving Calne, Priestley spent some little 

 time in London, and then, having settled in Birming- 

 ham at the desire of his brother-in-law, he was soon 

 invited to become the minister of a large congregation. 

 This settlement Priestley considered, at the time, to 

 be "the happiest event of his life." And well he 

 might think so ; for it gave him competence and 



