When he left it in 1794 he was rather critical of it, but now after
three days he arrived there. It was
a very good journey, accompanied by my daughter-in-law, in my
son's Yarmouth waggon, which by means of a seat constructed of
straw, was very easy.
Yes, back again to the City which was the only city in this country ever
visited by him. Although at times he considered going to New York, and
even to Boston, Philadelphia was to become his Mecca. In it he was to
meet the most congenial scientific spirits, and to the younger of these
he was destined to impart a new inspiration for science, and for
chemical science in particular. At the close of the three days' journey
he wrote--
I am a guest with Mr. Russell.... We found him engaged to drink
tea with President Washington, where we accompanied him and spent
two hours as in any private family. He (Washington) invited me to
come at any time, without ceremony. Everything is the reverse of
what it is with you.
This was his first meeting with Washington. The spirit of the occasion
impressed him. The democratic behavior of the great Federalist must have
astonished him, if he ever entertained, as Lord Brougham would have us
believe, a hostile opinion and thought him ungrateful because he would
not consent to make America dependent upon France.
Priestley's eagerness to preach was intense, and happy must he have been
on the day following his arrival, when his heart's wish was gratified.
He preached in the church of Mr. Winchester--
to a very numerous, respectable, and very attentive audience.