Am.  Tour.  Pharm.  ) 
March,  1921.  J 
Book  Reviews. 
243 
adapted  for  the  purpose,  namely,  the  clear-cut,  unambiguous  English 
of  the  scientist. 
It  should  be  remembered  that  the  book  is  designed  to  meet  the 
needs  of  advanced  students.  And  to  such  it  may  be  recommended 
unreservedly. 
J.  W.  Sturmer. 
"Priestly  in  America,  1794-1804."  By  Edgar  F.  Smith.  Pub- 
lishers, P.  Blakiston's  Sons  &  Company,  1201  Walnut  Street, 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 
In  this  sketch,  covering  the  later  period  in  the  life  of  Joseph 
Priestly,  Dr.  Edgar  F.  Smith  has  woven  a  narrative  in  the  interest- 
ing style  that  is  so  characteristic  of  this  author's  facile  pen.  In  it, 
we  get  a  glimpse  of  the  real  nature  of  the  man ;  the  humane  side. 
The  characteristics  that  made  up  his  peculiar  individuality  are  pre- 
sented in  a  view  that  we  have  not  obtained  from  other  sketches  of 
the  life  of  this  philosopher  and  chemist. 
The  personal  touch  given  by  the  author  gives  us  an  insight  into 
the  kindly  character,  his  philosophy,  and  even  the  false  judgment 
and  tenacious  adherence  to  some  erratic  views  that  led  him  to  fal- 
lacious deductions  even  from  his  own  experiments.  His  champion- 
ing of  the  Phlogiston  theory  caused  him  to  bend  his  views  toward 
explanations  based  thereon  to  the  exclusion  of  some  more  obvious 
and  scientific  conclusions  that  have  since  been  adopted. 
Priestly  appears  to  have  been  a  past  master  in  the  art  of  con- 
troversy. His  dissenting  theological  views  and  his  earnestness  in 
arguing  thereon  made  him  so  unpopular  in  England  that  he  became 
the  victim  of  mob  violence,  and  this  was  the  reason  for  his  exile 
to  America.  His  friendship  with  Franklin  probably  determined  his 
emigration. 
Dr.  Smith's  sketch  shows  that,  even  after  his  arrival  in  America, 
his  life  was  not  free  from  this  disposition  to  controversy.  His 
views  called  forth  remorseless  attack  from  William  Cobbett  (Peter 
Porcupine),  whose  abusive  and  sarcastic  productions  were  a  fea- 
ture of  the  literature  of  that  decade. 
The  events  associated  with  Priestly's  landing  in  New  York 
and  the  various  addresses  of  welcome  show  that  he  was  given  quite 
an  ovation  upon  his  arrival  in  the  new  country. 
In  the  fall  of  1794,  Priestly  took  up  his  residence  in  North- 
