not improbable that the odium which these works brought upon him was the cause of a coolness in the behaviour of his noble patron, which about this time he began to remark, and which terminated in a separation after a connexion of seven years, but upon amicable terms, and without auy alleged cause of complaint. By the articles of agreement Dr. Priestley retained an annuity for life of 13024 was dedicated to his before-mentioned early associate, Mr. Graham, whom he describes as having long been "a distinguished champion for freedom of thinking in very trying situations." The second volume, illus trating the Doctrine of Philosophical Necessity," was dedicated to his friend, Dr. Joba Jebb. Considering the wrongs which Priestley afterwards experienced but could then little expect, the following passage is striking: "You and I, Sir, rejoice in the belief that the whole human race are under the same wholesome disci pline, and that they will all certainly derive the most valuable advantages from it, though in different degrees, in different ways, and at different periods; that even the persecutors are only giving the precedence to the persecuted, and advancing them to a higher degree of perfection and happiness; and that they must themselves, for the same benevolent purpose, undergo a more severe discipline than that which they are the means of administering to others." The publication of these Disquisitions occasioned a "free," yet a truly amicable “discussion" between the author and his friend, Dr. Price, which was published in 1778, dedicated to their common friend, Mr. John Lee, and appears to have left both the parties in opinion just where it found them. Mr. John Palmer, a dissenting minister, who had been the intimate friend of Dr. Priestley's fellow-student, Mr. Alexander, also appeared in favour of philosophical liberty, of which he was considered an able advocate. On the same side the learned Jacob Bryant addressed Dr. Priestley, to whom and to Mr. Palmer he published a reply, and to the latter a rejoinder. "Lord Shelburne was at this time a candidate for ministerial power, a situation in which opulence can do little to secure a manly independence, such as directed the conduct of Dr. Priestley. It is no wonder that an aspiring statesman declined the further patronage of a fearless reformer. Yet the manner in which his lordship first proposed to close the conexion does no credit to his memory. He intisaated to Dr, Price, that he wished to His next removal was to Birmingham, a situation which he preferred on account of the advantage it afforded of able workmen in every branch requisite in his experimental inquiries, and of some men distinguished for their chemical and mechanical knowledge. Several generous friends to science, sensible that the defalcation of his income would render the expences of his pursuits too burthensome for him to support, jo ned in raising an annual subscription for dewillingly accepted, as more truly hofraying them. This assistance he nourable to him than a pension from the crown, which might have been obtained for him, if he had desired it, in the administration of the Marquis of Rockingham, and the early part of that of Mr. Pitt. He had not been long settled in this place, before a vacancy happening in the principal disof the resignation of one of the pastors, senting congregation in consequence he was unanimously chosen to supply it. Without interrupting his philosophical and literary pursuits, he entered with great zeal into the duties of his office, especially that important part of it which consists in catechising and instructing the younger members of the society. Theology again occupied a principal share of his attention (indeed, it was always his favourite study,) and some of his most elaborate works in this department, as his "History of the Corruptions of Christianity," and "History of Early Opinions concerning Jesus Christ," made their appearance from the Birmingham press." They were a fer give his friend an establishment in Ireland, where he had large property." To this banishment Dr. Priestley preferred the stipulated annuity which was regularly paid, but though Lord S. had wished "the separation to be amicable," he declined the visits of Dr. Priestley when he should be occasionally in. London. Yet when he "had been some years settled at Birmingham Lord S-, removed from the administration, by the rising fortunes of Pitt, sent a common friend to engage Dr. Priestley again in his service"-a proposal which was immediately declined. 22 The first part of the general conclusion to the "History of the Corruptions of Christianity," was addressed to the consideration of" unbelievers, and especially of Mr. Gibbon," from whose Miscellaneous Works, and an appendix to a volume of |