JOSEPH PRIESTLEY. 109 



cation of his " Disquisitions relating to Matter and 

 Spirit," which took place in 1777, indicates pretty clearly 

 the state of the case: 



" (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, en- 

 gaged 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 Shel- 

 burne's delicacy that, in the midst of such perplexities, 

 he made not the least attempt to interfere with Priest- 

 ley'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 Birmingham at 



