Text of a letter

Breaking Ground for the New Laboratory 211

to Mr. Cruikshank in Nicholson's Journal to Dr. Wood-
house, to be forwarded to the Repository, which I hope
you will insert when it is convenient. I am very glad to
hear of the extensive circulation of that valuable work,
which does so much credit to the conductors, and the coun-
try. I shall always think myself honoured by the publica-
tion of any article of mine in it.

I wish much to see this new №, especially on account of
the article of your own on the colour of black, and the
other contents that you mention. Dr. Woodhouse is so
good as to forward the N°^, to me the first opportunity
after their arrival in Philadelphia, and therefore I hope I
shall not be long without it.

My bookseller in London having disappointed me I am
at present much behindhand in philosophical intelligence,
by which I suffer much. In winter also I am not fond
of going much into my laboratory, so that I do very little
in the way of experiments, at present, tho in other respects
I am not quite idle. I feel, however, the effect of years,
and am by no means so active as I have been. Neither
have I recovered from the effects of the fever that I had in
Philadelphia. I am much thinner and weaker, and this I
fancy has been in some measure the cause of the ague which
I have had lately, and which I never had before.

You will oblige me if you will call on Mr. Smith the
printer, and desire him to send me not the National, but
the Universal Intelligences. As I do not want the adver-
tisements, and the Universal contains every thing of value
besides. Also I wish he would let me know how I am to
pay him. It must be to some person in Philadelphia, as we
have no direct communication with Washington.

I should be glad to know how you are accommodated
this winter, and what is the price of boarding and lodging,
&c. The last winter I heard the members of Congress
complained much. In what state is the building of the
city, and the paving, &c. What matters of importance
have you in discussion?

AsI know your time must be fully occupied, I ought not
to give you this trouble, but if you have leisure to notice
these queries, you will oblige me very much.

I am, Dear Sir,

Yours sincerely

J. Priestley

Northumberland Jan. 5, 1802.

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