Dr, Priestley. 9 



labours. His work is now old, but he raised up many on 

 his shoulders. A greater and truly grand man, Joseph 

 Priestley, came also there a few years later, viz. in 1761, as 

 teacher of languages and belles lettres. There he obtained 

 a taste for science, and projected and began his scientific 

 work with a history of Electricity. Priestley's life is too 

 valuable for us to allow any of it to be neglected, and a 

 short notice would be scarcely respectful ; it is not need- 

 ful here to do more than to show its connection with the 

 early struggles of this institution. He seems to have 

 stimulated Dr. Percival to the study of chemistry, and in- 

 duced him to encourage that interest in the science which 

 he found beginning in Manchester, although we cannot 

 suppose that Dr. Aikin was without a share in causing 

 the stimulus, both with his example at Warrington and his 

 influence carried on to the rest of Lancashire. We feel 

 much pleasure in connecting ourselves with Priestley as an 

 ancestor, and we certainly can do so to some extent, the 

 Society having always felt his influence, both because of 

 the exertions of his pupil and friend Dr. Percival, and its 

 own attempt, however feeble, to assist him.^ We might 

 go farther, as he was an honorary member. 



Still, evil-speaking came at last, not with prosperity, 

 but, as often happens, with losses. We learn from Mr. 

 Turner : — * The society at Warrington was at this period 

 singularly agreeable. The tutors lived in perfect harmony 

 with each other, and with Mr. Seddon, the minister of the 

 place and the original projector of the academy ; who, 

 therefore, considered the institution as his child, and, as 



' In Priestley's difficulties the Society sent him fifty pounds. There was 

 an ordinary member in Manchester of the name also of Joseph Priestley. A t 

 least we suppose that two individuals are indicated. 



