annum, with a house, it was not possible, even living with the greatest frugality, to make any provision for a family. I was there six years, most laboriously employed, for nothing more than a bare subsistence. I therefore listened to an invitation to take the charge of the congregation of Mill-hill chapel,* at Leeds, where I was pretty well known, and thither I removed in September, 1767.

(91.) Though while I was at Warrington it was no part of my duty to preach, I had from choice continued the practice; and wishing to keep up the character of a Dissenting minister, I chose to be ordainedt while I was there; and though I was far from having conquered my tendency to stammer,‡ and probably never shall be able to do it effectually, I had, by taking much pains, improved my pronunciation, some time before I left Nantwich, where, for the first two years, this impediment had increased so much that I once informed the people that I must give up the business of preaching, and confine myself to my school. However, by making a practice of reading very loud and very slow every day, I at length succeeded

* Described, in 1797, as having "an interesting appearance, well according with the modest simplicity of rational religion." It 66 was erected in 1672," and "said to have been the first built in the north of England after the general indulgence." History of Leeds, pp. 3, 4. See W. X. 413; XV. 25, note.

↑ May 18, 1762, when Mr. Astley, Mr. John Holland, and Mr. Wilding, were also ordained. The principal ministers who conferred the ordination were Mr Daye, Mr. Mottershead, and Mr. Braddock. M. R. XIII. 84. On Dr. Priestley's later views of " Ordination among Dissenters," see W. XXII. 536.

66

The ceremonies of ordination had for some years been disused among those who adhered to the principles of Christian equality, as if unwilling to encourage superstition, and to keep up a mere form when the substance is wanting." The zeal, however, for these public exhibitions revived in 1825, (see M. R. XX., XXI., indexes,) and ordination will probably again become general among English Unitarians. The practice has also been indebted for no small encouragement, to the ability and eloquence with which these exhibitions have been adorned among the rapidly-increasing Unitarians in the United States.

If, however, ordination be, after all, an unjustifiable assumption, or else a vox et preterea nihil, it will, no doubt, be at length "put away" in the manly age of Christianity, with other "childish things."

↑ See supra, pp. 27, 28, 33.

in getting, in some measure, the better of this defect, but I am still obliged occasionally to have recourse to the same expedient.*

The following articles of correspondence may suitably conclude Dr. Priestley's account of his residence at Warrington. They commence with a letter of the earliest date I have been able to procure; and, so far as I can discover, his only autograph in the British Museum.

TO DR. BIRCH.

REV. SIR, Warrington, July 11, 1764. As I am informed that Mr. Mynde, who is engraving a chart of biography for me, intends to apply to you for a few dates, which I desired him to endeavour to procure me, I have taken the liberty to acquaint you how sensible I shall be of the favour of any assistance that you shall give him. My Lord Willoughby, indeed, encouraged me to apply to you if I was at a loss for any dates, and said, that if I would at the same time write to him when he was in town, he would second my request; but I was unwilling to give you or his Lordship any trouble about such an affair. Indeed, except a few modern dates, which my situation in the country gave me no opportunity of learning, and which Mr. Mynde will mention to you, I have got almost every date I chose to make use of, except those of Oulugbeg or Ulugh Bek, a Tartar prince, and Abu Temain, an Arabian poet, which, if you could help me to, I shall be obliged to you.

But the principal reason of my giving you this trouble is to beg that you would inspect the chart, or the specimen of it, which Mr. Mynde will shew you; and if you approve of the plan, to ask Lord Willoughby's permission to inscribe it to him. I feel I cannot ask him myself; none of my friends will have an opportunity of doing it in time, and you will soon see

* Mr. Samuel Parkes, (supra, p. 3,) in some memoranda, with the use of which I have been favoured by his family, mentions Dr. Priestley's "walking to time, or pacing at a set step. He spoke a single word at every step, and, by constant repetition of these practices, acquired a habit of pacing.”

him in his way through London. If you will please to do this, and acquaint Mr. Mynde with the success of your application to his Lordship, you will greatly oblige me.*

TO REV. CALEB ROTHERAM.

DEAR SIR, Warrington, May 18, 1766. You pay me a compliment in consulting me upon the subjects mentioned in your letter. I wish I had any thing to communicate to you worth your notice, but your own reflection, and a very little experience, will soon render every thing of that nature needless. I made use of Holmes' Latin Grammar, not because I altogether liked it, but because I thought it easy for beginners. I used the London Vocabulary, a few of Clarke's Translations, then a few of Sterling's editions, and lastly made my scholars read their authors without any help at all, except the Dictionary. Several of the collections for the use of Eton school are excellent; as are their four books of Exercises, beginning with Exempla minora, and ending with historical examples.

My English Grammart was not ready time enough for me to make trial of it. It has been out of print two or three years, and I shall not consent to its being reprinted. Lowth's is much better, but I question whether it will signify much to teach any English Grammar. Making the scholars compose dialogues, themes, &c., &c., &c., correcting their bad English, and making occasional remarks, I always found of most real use. Let them write fair copies of the English of many of their lessons, and omit no opportunity of making them write in their own language. This you will find pleasant to yourself, and of prodigious service to your pupils. Do not fail to teach geography along with the classics, for by this means your pupils will indirectly acquire much real knowledge. I had a little school library, consisting chiefly of books of natural and civil history, with books of travels, which I made them read (as a favour) with the maps before them.

* Ayscough, 4317.

+ See supra, p. 45.

The author was, however, soon encouraged to change his purpose. See W. XXIII. 3, notes.

§ See ibid. 12, note‡.

All my experience in teaching school was very small, for I was schoolmaster only three years;* but if that will enable me to be of any service to you, I shall be very glad, and you may depend upon my best advice upon any occasion.

To MR. EMANUEL DA COSTA.†

DEAR SIR, Warrington, May 18, 1766. AT length I have the satisfaction of sending you the sample of Noah's Bacon, which I promised you. I am sorry that I have nothing else to send you at present; but a friend of mine, who is an excellent naturalist, has promised to be attentive to every thing that falls in his way in our part of the country, in order to send me specimens of whatever is curious. These, you may depend upon it, I shall transmit to you as they come to hand.

P. S. The gentlemen concerned in our Academy desire that I would return you their grateful acknowledgments for your very acceptable present of specimens of emeralds.

As the time of my election draws near, you will not be surprised that I am a little anxious on that account.§

FROM MR. DA COSTA.

4

DEAR SIR, Royal Society House, June 14, 1766. I DEFERRED returning you thanks for your greatly esteemed letter of 18th last month, and present of the bitumen found in Lancashire, (vulgarly called there Noah's Bacon,) which I received safe, till I could have the pleasure to transmit you notice of your election into the R. S. It was on Thursday last, and I congratulate you sincerely thereon, and wish you many years' health to enjoy the honour granted you by the Society, which has, I am persuaded, acquired in you a very valuable member.

I must now acquaint you of the method of your admission and payments. The payments are made in two ways, viz. 1.

* See supra, pp. 41-43.

See supra, p. 58.

+ F. R. S., and Secretary.

§ Orig. MS. in Mr. Upcott's collection of autographs. See also Nichols's "Illustrations of Literary History," (1822,) IV. 541.

F

by paying five guineas admission, and signing a bond for the annual payment of £2 12s, of contributions; or, 2. by paying down twenty-five guineas, and therefore not liable to sign a bond, or pay any future contributions. In short, in lieu of contributions. The latter way is the most eligible, and most agreeable to the Society when gentlemen reside at a distance from London.

Messrs. Canton and Price (who congratulate you on your election, and the latter desired me to acquaint you he shall write to you soon) advise you to pay the twenty-five guineas, and on your payment you have all the privileges of a member, as being inserted in the list of fellows, having the Philosophical Transactions, &c.; and leave is granted and recorded for you to be admitted, and sign the Charter-book whenever your business calls you to London, even though it be many years after.

My respects attend the gentlemen of the Academy, and assure them I shall always be ready to do any thing in my power to testify my esteem for them. My compliments also attend Dr. Percival.

I beg the favour of your answer how you design to act.*

To MR. DA COSTA.

DEAR SIR, Warrington, June 21, 1766. I AM obliged to you for the notice you were so kind as to send me, of the honour done me by the Royal Society, and for your advice about the most eligible method of defraying the necessary expenses. Inclosed you will find a bill of twentyfive guineas, at as early a date I can procure for ready money. Please to deliver the receipt and book of rules to Mr. Johnson, bookseller, who will wait upon you with this letter, and who will soon have an opportunity of transmitting them to me.

I am glad that the specimen of Noah's Bacon was acceptable to you. Be assured that I shall omit no opportunity of doing you any service in my power.

I am now wholly engaged in electrical experiments; and I

* Orig. MS. in Mr. Upcott's collection. See also Nichols's Lit. Hist. IV. 541, 542.