Part 11 (1/2)
I always found that the first portion of the heavy inflammable air, resulting from the pa.s.sage of steam over heated charcoal was loaded with fixed air (CO_2), but that in the course of the process this disappeared, the remaining air (CO) burning with a lambent flame.
Scarcely had Priestley set foot in Philadelphia on his third visitation than the _Port Folio_, devoted usually to literature and biography, printed the following unkind words:
The tricks of Dr. Priestley to embroil the government, and disturb the religion of his own country, have not the merit of novelty.
To which the _Aurora_ replied:
When Porcupine rioted in the filth of a debauched and corrupt faction in this city, no person experienced so much of his obscene and vulgar abuse as Dr. Priestley. There is not a single fact on record or capable of being shewn, to prove that Dr. Priestley was guilty of any other crime than being a dissenter from the church of England, and a warm friend of American Independence. For this he was abused by Porcupine--and Denny is only Porcupine with a little more tinsel to cover his dirt. It is worthy of remark, that after a whole sheet of promises of ”literary lore” and ”products of the master of spirits” of the nation--the first and second numbers of the _Portable Foolery_, are stuffed with extracts from British publications of an ordinary quality.
The attack of the Port Folio was most ungracious. It may have been due to irritation caused by the appearance of a second edition of Priestley's ”Letters to the Inhabitants of Northumberland.” Nevertheless the thoughtful and dignified men of the City--men who admired Priestley's broad catholic spirit and brave att.i.tude upon all debatable questions, men who appreciated his scientific attainments, invited him to the following subscription dinner, as announced in the _Aurora_, March, 6th:
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon about one hundred citizens sat down to an elegant entertainment prepared by Mr. Francis to celebrate the commencement of the administration of Mr. Jefferson. The Governor honored the company with his presence. Several respectable Foreigners were invited to partake of the festival....
A variety of patriotic songs were admirably sung; and the following toasts were drank with unanimous applause.
1. The Governor of Pennsylvania
2. Dr. Priestley: The Philosopher and Philanthropist....
He was present and enjoyed himself, and sad must it have been to read on March 30th:
Some weeks ago, Dr. Priestley having caught cold by attending a meeting of the Philosophical Society on a wet evening, was taken ill of a violent inflammatory complaint which rendered his recovery for a long time dubious. We announce with sincere pleasure the returning health of a man, whose life hath hitherto been sedulously and successfully devoted to the interests of mankind.
He had, indeed, been very ill. The trouble was pleurisy. Dr. Rush was his physician. By his order the patient was bled profusely seven times.
During this trying and doubtful period there came to him a cheery letter from President Jefferson who had only learned of his illness. Among other things the President wrote--
Yours is one of the few lives precious to mankind, and for the continuance of which every thinking man is solicitous. Bigots may be an exception.... But I have got into a long disquisition on politics when I only meant to express my sympathy in the state of your health, and to tender you all the affections of public and private hospitality. I should be very happy to see you here (Was.h.i.+ngton). I leave this about the 30th to return about the 25th of April. If you do not leave Philadelphia before that, a little excursion hither would help your health. I should be much gratified with the possession of a guest I so much esteem, and should claim a right to lodge you, should you make such an excursion.
But Priestley journeyed homeward on April 13th, and en route wrote the following letter, addressed to John Vaughan, Esq. 179 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.:
April 17, 1801 Reading, Friday Evening
Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure to inform you, agreeably to your kind request, that we are safely arrived at this place, my daughter better than when we left Philadelphia, and as to myself, I feel just as well, and as able to bear any fatigue, as before my late illness. This, however, will always remind me of your friendly attentions, and those of your sister, if a thousand and other circ.u.mstances did not do the same, and of them all I hope I shall ever retain a grateful remembrance.
Along the whole road I am struck with the marks of an astonis.h.i.+ng degree of improvement since I came this way four years ago. I do not think that any part of England is better cultivated, and at present the wheat is in a very promising state. I wish we may hear of that of England promising as well. Three years of such a scarcity is more than any country could bear, and you will believe me when I say that, if it was in my power, I would guard it not only from famine, but from every other calamity.
With my daughter's kindest remembrance, I am, as ever
Dear Sir Yours sincerely, J. PRIESTLEY.[8]
Resuming his correspondence with his numerous friends in England, he said:
My chief resource is my daily occupation.
He also wrote Dr. Rush his thanks for having advised him to read Noah Webster's _Pestilential Disorders_ which follow the appearance of meteors and earthquakes, taking occasion also to excuse his opposition to blood-letting,--
I believe that I owe my life to your judicious direction of it. I shall never forget your so readily forgiving my suspicion, and my requesting the concurrence of Dr. Wistar after the third bleeding.
It was his opinion as well as yours and Dr. Caldwell's, that my disorder required several more; and the completeness of my cure, and the speediness of my recovery, prove that you were right. In the future I shall never be afraid of the lancet when so judiciously directed.