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
(Washington). 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 circumstances 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 astonishing
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.