whom he thought in not very good spirits, although
he invited me to Mount Vernon and said he thought he should hardly go from home twenty miles as long as he lived.
Priestley's fame was rapidly spreading through the land. Thoughtful men were doing him honor in many sections of the country, as is evident from the following clipping from a Portland (Me.) paper for March 27, 1797:—
On Friday the twenty-fourth a number of gentlemen, entertaining a high sense of the character, abilities and services of the Reverend Doctor JOSEPH PRIESTLEY, as a friend and promoter of true science dined together at the Columbian Tavern, in commemoration of his birth. The following toasts were given.
1. That Illustrious Christian and Philosopher, Joseph Priestley: May the world be as grateful to him for his services as his services are beneficial to the world.
2. May the names of Locke, Newton, Montesquieu, Hartley and Franklin be had in everlasting remembrance.
3. The great gift of God to man, Reason! May it influence the world in policy, in laws, and in religion.
4. TRUTH: May the splendour of her charms dissipate the gloom of superstition, and expel hypocricy from the heart of man.