Accordingly in early January of 1797 he might have been found there. He alludes in his correspondence to the presence in the city of C. Volney, a French philosopher and historian, who had been imprisoned but regained liberty on the overthrow of Robespierre when he became professor of history in the Ecole Normal. Volney was not particularly pleased with Priestley's discourses, and took occasion some weeks later to issue
VOLNEY'S ANSWER TO PRIESTLEY
which was advertised by the Aurora as on sale by the principal booksellers, price 6 cents.
He was exceedingly rejoiced at the flourishing state of the Unitarian Society and the manner in which its services were conducted.
On the occasion of his first discourse the English Ambassador, Mr. Lister, was in the audience and Priestley dined with him the day following.
Friends had prevailed upon Priestley to preach a charity sermon on his next Sunday, in one of the Episcopal churches, but in the end it was "delivered at the University Hall."
His mind was much occupied with plans for controverting infidelity,
the progress of which here is independent of all reasoning,—
so he published the third edition of his "Observations on the Increase of Infidelity" and an "Outline of the Evidences of Revealed Religion." In the first of them he issued a challenge to Volney who was