d; by which the attention of philofophers of other countries was called up, and fimilar purfuits made foreigners acquainted with the merits of the original.

The fcience of electricity was new, and confequently the facts and theories connected with it could not be numerous, or far spread, to that a very moderate compals of reading would emnbrace the whole: he tells us, however, in the preface to his "Hiftory of Electricity," that, while engaged in that work, he had the advantage of per fonal intercourfe with feveral eminent natural philofophers, as Drs. Watfon and Franklin, and Mr. Canton,

His writings, whether as a divine or a natural philofopher, thew him to be ardent in his fearch after truth; fangune in his expectation of difcover.ng it, and bold in his tenets and judge ment, when he would unfold it to mankind. Like another reformer, whole name has been more celebrious than it is popular at this day, Dr. Prieltley feems to have thought that the truth thould be fpoken out all at once, whatever may be the confequence. Confiderations of human prudence were of as little weight to lam in matters of religion, as reafons of itate were to Thomas Paine in reformations of government.

He cared but little for what prejudiced minds might feel for novelty of opinion, and therefore he did not feek to conciliate a favourable attention by advancing that new opinion by flow degrees; for as pure religion was the great end of his ftudy, fo he maintained that perfect freedom of difcuffion was the fureft means of obtaining it: no wonder, therefore, that he was no friend to the lyftem on which jealous eltablishments maintain their domination by uniting the ecclefiaftical with the political difcipline. This mafculine and independent way of thinking occationed a difference between Dr. Priestley and feveral of his diffenting brethren, by whom he was fometimes attacked as warnly as by his directly oppolite adver aries. A literary warfare, however, had in it nothing terrific to Dr. Pricftley; he never thunned it; nay, it appeared to be of falutary effect to his mind, as fencing is to the body of others; and the agitations of opinions, together with the new ones which thefe learned fparrings elicited, benefitted and enlightened the admirers or partians of either fide.

As a polemic, Dr. Priestley has been condemned for his great warmth, which it must be confelled he has allowed fometimes to degenerate into acrimony. If, however, he has fome times treated his adverfaries with a language bordering on arrogance, it must not be forgotten that they have provoked hun by their infolence and by that pride which naturally is generated in feinth m nds by the favour of their own eftabiliments; eftablishments which exclufively limit the honours, the re wards, and the enjoyments of the profetiion to their own clafs. A highchurch writer has defcribed Dr. Priestley's principles to be as full of combuf

tion as the chemical, retorts in his laboratory. If fuch attacks as these are nut deemed sufficient to justify the leve rity of reprifal, it is difficult to fay what would be thought fo. The Doctor was bred a Diffenting M nifter: his education, habits of study, objects of purfuit, famiar and temporal connections, ali neceffarily united to form a difpolition adverie to those religious and civil reftraints and profcriptions which the ftate has adopted in favour of its own establishments. The mind fuffers in proportion to its conception of the injury it unjustly receives from thofe partialities and restrictions. Reafon, too, revolts against the practice of chaining down opinion. The wifest and belt men in all ages have affirmed, that if all opinions in religion were freely uttered, none would be found injuri ous: Milton is of the fame way of thinking in matters of government.

Dr. Priestley's talents were allowed by all to be of the first clafs: his zeal in profecuting whatever he thought conducive to the good of mankind obtained him the admiration of numbers; and if he has fometimes drawn upon himfelf the obloquy of his enemies, it has been done by an intemperance of enthuliafm; for few indeed are thofe, and fcarcely deferving of confidera tion, who have in their invectives acé cufed h.m of depravity of principle. Difputes and controverfies in religion are feldom conducted with the temper and moderation the fubject demands, and which the difputants would have the credit of poffelling. While in this warfare, however carried on, one party denies the existence of eve ry particle of matter, and the other contends that nothing but matter can have an exiftence; we may easily ima

gine the contest will proceed to an unprofitable excels.

With refpect to the purity of Dr. Priestley's profeffions and actions in matters of religion, all who knew him can vouc!: for it. If his whole life were not deemed a fufficient proof of that purity, his death, of which we are forry we cannot give a fuller account, will bear ample and indubitable teftimony of it. Of his philofophical enquiries and labours we have faid as much as the limits of fo brief a notice of this great man will allow. We have obferved, that, in pneumatic philofophy, Dr. Priestley may be called the founder of a new fyftem. His Eudiometer has been deemed fuperior to any in Europe, by which he has been enabled to carry fome of his experiments to a point of accuracy which has aftonished experimentalifts themfelves. His applying the electric fluid to the purpofe of inveftigating the nature of fixed air has given rife to a variety of pleafing and useful operations; but his application of the proceffes of chemistry to the improvements of the arts is at once an honour to his own memory, and a difgrace to the town which first participated in the advantages attached to his unwearied toils.

Having fpoken of Dr. Priestley as a theologian and experimental philofopher, it may be deemed neceffary to fay fomething of him as a politician. A life fo bufily employed as his was in other pursuits, can scarcely be thought to have had time to wander in the tortuous paths of politics. He never efteemed himself a politician, nor did he expect to be thought one, though he was not unmindful that his connection with a noble lord, once at the head of the ftate, might expofe him to the calunny of engaging himfelf as a party man. Upon an attack of this nature, he defends himself by faying, "What have been my writings as a politician? They are very inconfiderable, and never, that I understood, gave much offence. All the time that I was with the Marquis of Lanfdown, which was seven years, and in which time I had no employment as a minifter, I never wrote a political pamphlet, nor even a paragraph. My ftudies were then, as before and fince, theology, philofophy, and general literature."

His intimacy with the above-mentioned nobleman, then Earl of Shelburne, began in 1772, foon after he published his "Hiftory and prefent

State of Discoveries relating to Vifon Light and Colours." While he was giving proofs of a happy exertion of genius, this last masterpiece of compontion was patronized by a very numerous and highly réfpectable lift of fubfcribers; it particularly attracted the notice of Lord Shelburne, who had always fhewn a readiness to countenance genius and learning. His Lordship, through the friendly recommendation of Dr. Price, invited Dr. Priestley to fuperintend his magnificent library. The propofals the Earl made him were to advantageous, that the Doctor could not, out of regard to the intercits of his family, reject them. As well as librarian, he might be confidered the literary and philofophical comprnion to his Lordfhip, whom he attended the next year on a vifit to Paris. In the houfe of his noble patron he met with many eminent characters, who treated him with all the refpect due to virtue and talent. The Doctor's family at this time refided at Calne, in Wiltshire, near Bow Wood, the feat of the Earl, and there he fpent the fummer months himself. He was not, as reported, engaged in the education of Lord Shelburne's fons; they were under the tuition of another gentleman, and all the Doctor did in that refpect was to aid their inftruction by fome courfes of experimental philofophy. The mutual with in this engagement was gratified: the use of a valuable library, the providing an expenfive apparatus for experiments, through his Lordship's liberal purfe, and, in fine, the progreffive eaty circumftances of the Doctor arifing from his income, and the profits of his publications, leffened the motive for continuing with a patron, however noble and generous. It is faid, and perhaps with truth, that a coolness, from difference of opinion, took place between the Doctor and the Earl. However that was, after a refidence of seven years in and near the mansion of the noble Lord, the Doctor retired upon a penfion, and went to refide at Birmingham, with no other view than to reduce to a practical familarity thofe experiments which he faw were fraught with fo much promife to the ufeful and fine arts, and to trade. This neighbourhood he judged particularly eligible to his purpofe, from its contiguity to the nume rous workmen, and the vast machinery which fuch labours would require.

It is faid, that this plan was fuggeft

ed by Dr. Fothergill, and approved by fome of the worthieft patriots of their country; viz. Sir George Saville, Sir Theodore Janfien, Dr. Price, and Mr. Conftable. Though the Doctor had an income, as we have obferved, fufficient for the wants of his own family, yet, as he had nothing to fpare for erecting expensive works, and carrying on his experiments, the above gentlemen of fered to contribute, and did do fo, towards fo laudable an undertaking; and of thele gentlemen the Doctor obferves, that "it is fomething remarkable, that all of them are of different religious perfuations, but equally lovers of experimental philofophy, and diinterefted promoters of it."

The new fcene opening to his view was gratifying in a high degree, for he became acquainted with, and was affilied by, feveral men of fcience, among whom were Meirs. Watt, Bolton, Withering, Keir, &c., who together formed a fociety called the Lunarian Club. Such a phalanx of fcientific perfons, fo bright a conftellation of talent, could not have been expected in the meridian of a country town.

Before he had been in his new habitation a year, he was requested to become the paltor to a congregation of diffenters at the new meeting in Birmingham, upon the relignation of Mr. Hawkes. He accepted the almost unanimous invitation, on the exprefs coudition of no clain for duty being made on him but on Sundays; the reit of the week he refolved to devote to his accustomed literary and philofophical pursuits.

Dr. Priestley had formerly been on terms of intimacy with the clergy of England, at lealt with that part of it diftinguished for a love of the iciences. But party ran high in Birminghain, and the bigotry of the clergy of the place had manifefted itself in feveral inftances, particularly in their refusing to go into the fame coach with diffenting minifters at funerals, or to walk with them in the proceffion. This animofity was carried fo far, as to be vented in little abufive pamphlets, wherein the Doctor was diftinctly pointed at. Now, though he was not idle with his pen, but published feveral theological works while in Birmingham, yet he preferved his temper to a degree which gave his friends much fatisfaction.

The Doctor had before teftitied his attachment to liberty, by his "Effay on the First Principles of Govern

.

The barbarous fury of 1780 was played off in Birmingham; to particularife which would be to repeat what was published in almost every periodi cal work in Europe: fuffice it to fay, that though the Doctor was privately fpending the day with a friend or two, thefe modern Vandals, directed by fome perfous as fagacious as wicked, after firit fetting fire to his house at Fair-hill, and confuming his extenfive library and complete apparatus of philofophical machines, hunted him from house to houfe, with the view, no doubt, of putting an end to his life.

During the above outrageous proceedings, the diffenters of Birmingham could not help comparing their condition to thofe of the proteftants in France, on the revocation of the Edict of Nantz. The walls were chalked with the words" Damn Priestley! No Prefbyterians!"-and these words were vociferated by boys, who were, no doubt, inftructed to do so by older and more defigning people.

Dr. Priestley was dogged from one houfe to another, nor did he find tafe repofe till he arrived at that of his venerable and fteady friend the Rev. Theophilus Lindley, in London. On the next day he addreffed an excellent letter to the Birmingham people, in which he reminded thein of their having deftroyed a collection of books and inftruments which no individual ever before poffeffed.

It is with reluctance we retrace a fcene which is a difgrace to the country we live in. Thefe proceedings drove him to ieek, at his advanced age, a peaceful habitation in another quarter of the globe; perhaps repeating the words in Terence--

"Carens Patria ou meas injurias." He made Northumberland, a town in Pennfylvania, the place of his refidence. As well as wanting many of the comforts of polished life, and various helps to a ftudious habit, he had family loles to deplore. He buried bis excellent wife and a beloved fon, which calamities must have feverely tried bis patience. Soon after the Doctor had fettled in America, that quarter began to feel the concullionary thock of the French revolution. For fome time his fituation was not fo comfortable and tranquil as he expected it to be. Upon the election of Mr. Jefferfon, however, to the feat of Prefidency, the political horizon cleared up; and the Doctor, in a letter to that gentleman, expreffed his fenfe of the goodnefs and wifdom of his adminiftration, and of the fatisfaction he enjoyed under it.

As an author, the Doctor's works alone would form a library: it would be too long a catalogue to enumerate them. While refiding in America, he wrote, belides many other works, a pamphlet of "Jefus and Socrates compared."

The death of this valuable man correfpouded with his life. He departed like a true Chriftian, forgiving his enemies, and, above all, his ungrateful country, as he might, froin a juít refentment, have directed his tomb to be infcribed--

"Ingrata Patria! neque offa mea habebis," The expired on Monday, February 9, 1804, after a gradual decay, the confequence of a fevere illness he experienced at Philadelphia in the year 1801.

Dr. Priestley was taciturn in mixed and large companies, but was affable and kind among his relations. He was an excellent parent and hulband; and

dlander itself has never aimed a blow at his private conduct, or impeached his integrity.

This great man, by his fplendid talents, has increated the reputation of his country: and yet, in the bad times of it, was not allowed to live quietly within its dominion. In better days it will be regretted that his ailes are

not found in the Pantheon of the illuftrious of Britain !!!

THE

LIFE OF VICTOR MOREAU, GENERAL OF FRENCH ARMIES OF THE MO SELLE, THE RHINE, &c. &c.

[Concluded from p. 339.]

ON the 4th of September of the fame year, the revolution of the 'three directors was brought about, which oc calioned Pichegru, with fome other deputies, to be tranfported to Cayenne ; and then it was that Moreau was called upon to fay all he knew of PicheHe wrote the following gru's treason. letter to Barthelemy, one of the direc It was dated Strasburgh, 19th Fructidor, Year 5; i. e. 5th of Sept. 1797.

tors.

"Citizen Director,

"You will, no doubt, remember that, during my laft journey to Bafle, I informed you, that after our paffage of the Rhine we had taken a packet belonging to General Klinglin, containing two or three hundred letters of his correfpondents: many of thefe were in ciphers, &c. &c.

"I was at first determined not to publish this correspondence, but obferving at the head of parties who at prefent trouble our country, a man enjoying in a high situation the greatest confidence, a man deeply involved in this correfpondence, and deffined to perform an important part in the recall of the Pretender, the object to which it was directed, I thought it my duty to inform you of this circumftance, &c. &c.

"I confefs, Citizen Director, that it is extremely painful to inform you of this treachery, more especially as he whom I now denounce to you was once my friend; I allude to the reprefentative of the people, Pichegru: and again; the proofs are as clear as day I doubt, however, whether they are judicial," &c.

Barthelemy himself was implicated in the affair of Pichegru, and was under fentence of banillament when the above letter came to his hand. This directorial revolution had taken place but the day before the date of the letter, and it was given out that Moreau had intimation of it by the telegraph at Strafburgh early on the 5th. It is not, however, affirmed, that he knew of Barthelemy's difgrace at the time, though it may be easily imagined that in either cafe he had reaion to believe the writing fuch a letter would leffen or remove the fufpicion of his having countenanced the plot of Piche

been tampered with by the royalifts; and it must be confeffed, that, if it had not been .o, his conduct was incompre henfible. But, whatever might have been his motives for adopting fo ambiguous a conduct, it lott him the confidence of the republicans, and did not gain hm that of the royalts.

Moreau lived retired, and it may be almost faid difgraced, during the great er part of the next year: but at the end of it, when the directory apprehended hoftilities would recommence with Auftria, Moreau was fent as Infpector General to the army of Italy, then commanded by General Scherer. In March 1799, the war with Auftria was renewed under the moft unfavourable aufpices. At the battle of Verona, Moreau ferved as a volunteer, and confented to command the right wing. The conflict commenced at fun-rite, on the 26th of Marc, and continued till night. He took from fourteen to fifteen hundred prifoners, and fix pieces of cannon: but as Scherer with the left wag was routed, Moreau was obliged to forego all his advantages.

When Field-Marthal Suwarrow joined the Auftrians at Verona, Scherer was deemed incompetent for the command of the army at fo important and critical a feafon, and Morcau was appointed his fucceffor. No praifes can be too lavishly beflowed on him for faving the feeble remains of an army without pay, without clothing, without magazines, and aloft without hope of reinforcements. He had only thirtyfive thousand men, difcontented, if not disaffected, and at leaft mittruttful, to oppofe the united force of Auftria and Rua. A retreat, therefore, in this cafe, became neceffary; and Ijola della Scala and Villa Franca were abandoned in fucceffion. The Mincio was croffed, and the ftrong fortreffes of Pefchiera and Mantua left to their fate, They were immediately blockaded by Generals Kray and Klenau. Suwarrow took the field, and, after croffing the Oglio, advanced in three columns to the Udda. The Ruffian General (Vickaffowich) croffed that river on a flying-bridge, on the 26th, at night; and the next day an Auftrian column, under General Otto, paffed it near the Caftle of Trezzo. General Melas alfo marched with a strong train of artillery against Caffano, and, obtaining poffeffion of the bridge, a divifion of the French army was beaten, and forced

to capitulate. In this hard-fought battle Moreau did all that the most intrepid of generals could, by encouraging h's troops with his prefence. Ile had three aids-de-camp killed by his fide, and two horfes wounded and one killed under him: he was himfelf flightly wounded. This day decided the fate of the Cifalpine republic, for the next day the ailies entered Milan.

Throughout all Italy the afpect of affairs was inaufpicious for France at this period: but though Suwarrow had hitherto appeared to justify the high opinion entertained of his talents, his conduct foon prefented an excellent chance for Moreau to retrieve the loffes the French had sustained; and he feized the occafion with an avidity peculiar to his great character. Accordingly, although he had now retreated from Lombardy and Piedmont, within the rugged frontier of the Ligurian republic, and was left with less than thirty thousand men, yet he contrived to deach General Victor with a divifion to ftrengthen the army of Naples, while he took measures for forming a junction with that army himself, not doubting, in that cafe, he fhould be able to overcome fuperior forces, rendered weak by extenfion, and incapable of fuccouring or fuftaining each other, from their want of continued communication and connection.

During the blockade of Aleffandria, and while the Auftro-ruffian Commander was engaged with Macdonald for three days together on the Trebbia, viz. on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of June, Moreau took advantage of his abfence, and left Genoa with an army of twenty-eight thoufand men, and, defcending into the plain by Bochetta, Guvi, and Nevi, attacked and beat Field Marshal Bellegarde. The Auftrians, unable to refift the impetuofity of the republican forces, and haraffed in their retreat, were obliged to crafs the Bormida, and by this adverfe tide of fortune the fiege of Tortona was raised..

Suwarrow's intention of invading the fouth of France was thus early frutirated; for as Moreau maintained his ftrong pofition in the neighbourhood of Genoa, he threatened to fall upon the rear of the Ruffian as foon as he fhould begin to execute his defign: though Moreau was thus honourably exerting his zeal and masterly kill against the enemies of his country, the