Joseph Priestley. BORN A. D. 1733.-DIED A. D. 1804. THE following notice of this celebrated man is principally from the pen of his able and intimate friend Dr John Aikin. Joseph Priestley, LL.D., F.R.S. and member of many foreign literary societies, was born on March 13th, old style, 1733, at Field-head, in the parish of Birstall, in the west-riding of Yorkshire. His father was engaged in the clothing manufacture, and both parents were persons of respectability among the Calvinistic dissenters. Joseph was from an carly period brought up in the house of Mr Joseph Keighley, who had married his aunt. A fondness for reading was one of the first passions he displayed; and it probably induced his friends to change their intentions of educating him for trade, and destine him for a learned profession. He was sent to a school at Batley, the master of which possessed no common share of erudition. Besides the Latin and Greek languages, he was capable of giving instructions in the Hebrew; and his pupil carried with him the knowledge of all the three to the academy of Daventry, at which he was entered in his 19th year as a student of divinity. This academy was the successor of that kept by Dr Doddridge at Northampton, and was conducted by Dr Ashworth, whose first pupil Mr Priestley is said to have been. When about the age of twenty-two, he was chosen as an assistantminister to the Independent congregation of Needham-market, in Suffolk. He had at this time begun to imbibe theological opinions different from those of the school in which he had been educated. He had likewise become a student and admirer of the metaphysical philosophy of Hartley, of which during life he was the zealous advocate, and the acute elucidator. After an abode of three years at Needham, he accepted an invitation to be pastor of a small flock at Namptwich, in Cheshire. There he opened a day-school, in the conduct of which he exhibited that turn for ingenious research, and that spirit of improvement which were to be his distinguishing characteristics. He enlarged the minds of his pupils by philosophical experiments, and he drew up an English Grammar upon an improved plan, which was his earliest publication. His reputation as a man of uncommon talents and active inquiry, soon extended itself among his professional brethren; and when upon the death of the Rev. Dr Taylor, the tutor of divinity at Warrington academy, Dr Aiken was chosen to supply his place, Mr Priestley was invited to undertake the vacant department of belles-lettres. It was in 1761 that he removed to a situation happily accommodated to his personal improvement, by the free society of men of large intellectual attainments, and to the display of his own various powers of mind. He soon after made a matrimonial connection with Mary, daughter to Mr Wilkinson of Bersham-Foundry near Wrexham ; a lady of an excellent heart, and a strong understanding, and his faithful partner in all the vicissitudes of his life. At Warrington properly commenced the literary career of this emiuent person, and a variety of publications soon announced to the world the extent and originality of his pursuits. One of the first was a 'Chart of Biography,' in which he ingeniously contrived to present an ocular image both of the proportional duration of existence, and of the chronological period and synchronism of all the most eminent persons of all ages and countries, in the great departments of science, art, and public life. This was very favourably received, and suggested a second 'Chart of History,' in like manner offering to the view the extent, time, and duration of states and empires. Subjects of history and general politics at this time engaged much of his attention. He delivered lectures upon them, of which the substance was given to the world in various useful publications. His notions of government were founded on those principles of the original and indefeasible rights of man which are the sole basis of all political freedom. He was an ardent admirer of the British constitution, according to his conceptions of it, and ably illustrated it in his lectures. With respect to his proper academical department of the belles-lettres, he displayed the enlargement of his views in a set of lectures on the theory and history of language, and on the principles of oratory and criticism; in the latter of which he successfully applied the Hartleian theory of association to objects of taste. Although his graver pursuits did not allow him to cultivate the agreeable parts of literature as a practitioner, he sufficiently showed, by some light and playful efforts, that he would have been capable of excelling in this walk, had he given his attention to it. But he was too intent upon things to expend his regards upon words, and he remained contented with a style of writing accommodated to the great business of instruction, of which the characteristics were accuracy and perspicuity. · Fully as his time might seem occupied by the academical and literary employments above enumerated, he found means, by perpetual activity and indefatigable industry, to accomplish the first great work in natural philosophy which laid a solid foundation for his fame in that department of human knowledge. Having long amused himself with an electrical machine, and taken an interest in the progress of discovery in that branch of physics, he was induced to undertake a History of Electricity,' with an account of its present state. As the science was of late date, and all its facts and theories lay within a moderate compass of reading, he thought it a task not beyond his powers to effect completely what he proposed; although his plan included an extensive course of experiment of his own, to verify what had been done by others, and to clear up remaining doubts and obscurities. It appears from his preface, that while engaged in this design, he had enjoyed the advantage of personal intercourse with some eminent philosophers, among whom he acknowledges as coadjutors, Drs Watson and Franklin, and Mr Canton. The work first appeared at Warrington in 1767, 4to. and so well was it received, that it underwent a fifth edition in 4to. 1794. It is indeed an admirable model of scientific history; full without superfluity; clear, methodical, candid and unaffected. Its original experiments are highly ingenious, and gave a foretaste of that fertility of contrivance and sagacity of observation which afterwards so much distinguished the author. His connexion with the Warrington academy ceased in 1768, when he accepted an invitation to officiate as pastor to a large and respectable congregation of dissenters at Leeds. Considering himself now as Joseph Priestley. BORN A. D. 1733.-died a. D. 1804. THE following notice of this celebrated man is principally from the pen of his able and intimate friend Dr John Aikin. Joseph Priestley, LL.D., F.R.S. and member of many foreign literary societies, was born on March 13th, old style, 1733, at Field-head, in the parish of Birstall, in the west-riding of Yorkshire. His father was engaged in the clothing manufacture, and both parents were persons of respectability among the Calvinistic dissenters. Joseph was from an early period brought up in the house of Mr Joseph Keighley, who had married his aunt. A fondness for reading was one of the first passions he displayed; and it probably induced his friends to change their intentions of educating him for trade, and destine him for a learned profession. He was sent to a school at Batley, the master of which possessed no common share of erudition. Besides the Latin and Greek languages, he was capable of giving instructions in the Hebrew; and his pupil carried with him the knowledge of all the three to the academy of Daventry, at which he was entered in his 19th year as a student of divinity. This academy was the successor of that kept by Dr Doddridge at Northampton, and was conducted by Dr Ashworth, whose first pupil Mr Priestley is said to have been. When about the age of twenty-two, he was chosen as an assistantminister to the Independent congregation of Needham-market, in Suffolk. He had at this time begun to imbibe theological opinions different from those of the school in which he had been educated. He had likewise become a student and admirer of the metaphysical philosophy of Hartley, of which during life he was the zealous advocate, and the acute elucidator. After an abode of three years at Needham, he accepted an invitation to be pastor of a small flock at Namptwich, in Cheshire. There he opened a day-school, in the conduct of which he exhibited that turn for ingenious research, and that spirit of improvement which were to be his distinguishing characteristics. He enlarged the minds of his pupils by philosophical experiments, and he drew up an English Grammar upon an improved plan, which was his earliest publication. His reputation as a man of uncommon talents and active inquiry, soon extended itself among his professional brethren; and when upon the death of the Rev. Dr Taylor, the tutor of divinity at Warrington academy, Dr Aiken was chosen to supply his place, Mr Priestley was invited to undertake the vacant department of belles-lettres. It was in 1761 that he removed to a situation happily accommodated to his personal improvement, by the free society of men of large intellectual attainments, and to the display of his own various powers of mind. He soon after made a matrimonial connection with Mary, daughter to Mr Wilkinson of Bersham-Foundry near Wrexham; a lady of an excelient heart, and a strong understanding, and his faithful partner in all the vicissitudes of his life. At Warrington properly commenced the literary career of this eminent person, and a variety of publications soon announced to the world the extent and originality of his pursuits. One of the first was a 'Chart of Biography,' in which he ingeniously contrived to present an ocular image both of the proportional duration of existence, and of the chronological period and synchronism of all the most eminent persons of all ages and countries, in the great departments of science, art, and public life. This was very favourably received, and suggested a second 'Chart of History,' in like manner offering to the view the extent, time, and duration of states and empires. Subjects of history and general politics at this time engaged much of his attention. He delivered lectures upon them, of which the substance was given to the world in various useful publications. His notions of government were founded on those principles of the original and indefeasible rights of man which are the sole basis of all political freedom. He was an ardent admirer of the British constitution, according to his conceptions of it, and ably illustrated it in his lectures. With respect to his proper academical department of the belles-lettres, he displayed the enlargement of his views in a set of lectures on the theory and history of language, and on the principles of oratory and criticism; in the latter of which he successfully applied the Hartleian theory of association to objects of taste. Although his graver pursuits did not allow him to cultivate the agreeable parts of literature as a practitioner, he sufficiently showed, by some light and playful efforts, that he would have been capable of excelling in this walk, had he given his attention to it. But he was too intent upon things to expend his regards upon words, and he remained contented with a style of writing accommodated to the great business of instruction, of which the characteristics were accuracy and perspicuity. Fully as his time might seem occupied by the academical and literary employments above enumerated, he found means, by perpetual activity and indefatigable industry, to accomplish the first great work in natural philosophy which laid a solid foundation for his fame in that department of human knowledge. Having long amused himself with an electri cal machine, and taken an interest in the progress of discovery in that branch of physics, he was induced to undertake a History of Electricity,' with an account of its present state. As the science was of late date, and all its facts and theories lay within a moderate compass of reading, he thought it a task not beyond his powers to effect completely what he proposed; although his plan included an extensive course of experiment of his own, to verify what had been done by others, and to clear up remaining doubts and obscurities. It appears from his preface, that while engaged in this design, he had enjoyed the advantage of personal intercourse with some eminent philosophers, among whom he acknowledges as coadjutors, Drs Watson and Franklin, and Mr Canton. The work first appeared at Warrington in 1767, 4to. and so well was it received, that it underwent a fifth edition in 4to. 1794. It is indeed an admirable model of scientific history; full without superfluity; clear, methodical, candid and unaffected. Its original experiments are highly ingenious, and gave a foretaste of that fertility of contrivance and sagacity of observation which afterwards so much distinguished the author. His connexion with the Warrington academy ceased in 1768, when he accepted an invitation to officiate as pastor to a large and respectable congregation of dissenters at Leeds. Considering himself now as 3 с V. mends. But prefatory strictures are dangerous; even Dryden's examples cannot always stand the test of his own precepts. Mr Jackson's next publication, consisting of a third collection of songs, though distinguished by many of the attractions peculiar to his compositions, did not present that aggregate of excellence which characterized his former collections; nor was any single air calculated so far to fascinate the common ear as to become popular. His eighth and greatest work was an 'Ode to Fancy,' the words from Warton. In this production he has necessarily adopted a kind of oratorial style, which, with all his merit in the lighter kinds of composition, was, it is evident, beyond his compass. Dignity of expression, majesty of movement, bold contrivance, and grand construction, are all indispensable to the great ode; and these were not among the general characteristics of Mr Jackson's style, consequently he has not always reached the sentiments of the poet, nor given to the whole that force and importance of effect expected from this higher species of composition: the eight sonatas for the harpsichord by which this work was succeeded, were written with much taste and spirit, and possessed many passages which at that time were perfectly new. His Opera nine, consisted of twelve canzonets for two voices; the first of which is his charming and so justly admired composition, Time has not thinned my flowing hair,' and which is also enriched with his two beautiful duets,From the plains, the woodlands, and groves,' and 'Ah! where does my Phillida stray.' To these were afterwards added six quartetts, consisting of harmonizations of old favourite airs, chiefly taken from Dr Arne; in the disposition of the parts of which he has displayed much ingenuity and knowledge in effect; a collection of twelve canzonets for two voices, in which will be found that elegant and sweetly affecting duet, 'Love in thine eyes for ever plays;' two operas comprising much tasteful and expressive music, and a book of epigrams. But the catalogue of his musical productions would be very incomplete without naming his manuscript services and anthems, which have been repeatedly performed, at Exeter cathedral, to the delight of all who have heard them. These indeed rank among the best of his works; every real judge must confess that the inspiration of the poet and musician are in perfect union; and that the connection is productive of an effect the most solemn and devotional. A piece called the Fairy Fantasies,' Milton's May Morning,' 'Lycidas,' an elegy and other vocal works of Mr Jackson's in manuscript, are spoken of with high commendation. In the year 1782 Mr Jackson appeared as a literary author, when he published in two volumes small octavo, his 'Thirty Letters on various Subjects,' forming a miscellaneous collection on literature and science, replete with useful information, and elegant and classical in their diction. On poetry, music, and painting, his opinions are frequently singular, yet generally just in themselves, as well as clearly and neatly conveyed. In the year 1798 Mr Jackson added another volume to his Letters, under the title of "The Four Ages; with Essays on various Subjects." In this work he considers the four mythological ages as descriptive of so many distinct periods of the world, but in a different order from that in which the poets have placed them. Among the essays there is a |