Volume 2

The history of chemistry / By Thomas Thomson.

  • Thomas Thomson
Date:
1830-31
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of chemistry / By Thomas Thomson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Being boarded in the house of Mr. Eddowes, a very sociable and sensible man, and a lover of music, Dr. Priestley was induced to play a little on the English flute; and though he never was a pro- ficient, he informs us that it contributed more or less to his amusement for many years. He recom- mends the knowledge and practice of music to all studious persons, and thinks it rather an advantage for them if they have no fine ear or exquisite taste, as they will, in consequence, be more easily pleased, and less apt to be offended when the performances they hear are but indifferent. The academy at Warrington was instituted while Dr. Priestley was at Needham, and he was recom- mended by Mr. Clark, Dr. Benson, and Dr. Taylor, as tutor in the languages; but Dr. Aiken, whose qualifications were considered as superior, was pre- ferred before him. However, on the death of Dr. Taylor, and the advancement of Dr. Aiken to be tutor in divinity, he was invited to succeed him: this offer he accepted, though his school at Nant- wich was likely to be more gainful; for the em- ployment at Warrington was more liberal and less. painful. In this situation he continued six years, actively employed in teaching and in literary pur- suits. Here he wrote a variety of works, particu- larly his History of Electricity, which first brought him into notice as an experimental philosopher, and procured him celebrity. After the publication of this work, Dr. Percival of Manchester, then a stu- dent at Edinburgh, procured him the title of doctor: in laws, from that university. Here he married a daughter of Mr. Isaac Wilkinson, an ironmonger in Wales; a woman whose qualities he has highly ex- tolled, and who died after he went to America. In the academy he spent his time very happily, but it did not flourish. A quarrel had broken out
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