« Philosophy baptiz'd
In the pure fountain of eternal love
Has eyes indeed ; and viewing what she sees
As meant to indicate a GOD to Man,
Gives him his praise, yet forfeits not her own."

COWPER.

PREFACE,

AN account of the progress of a virtuous man through a variety of trying vicissitudes, must ever be a gratification to the reader of sensibility. Such a man was the subjet of this biographical sketch, and the most remarkable events of his history, are here: detailed with truth; and impartiality.

This little work is enriched with anecdotes, communicated to the anthor, by persons who were long eye-witnesses to the dignified conduct of Dr. Priestley, as a public character, and to his domestic habits as a private individual. It may be observed that his Biographer ought to be a man highly endowed with eloquence, to give an animated picture of his superlative merit; but his fame is fully established by his own inestimable productions, and the inore simple