John Priestley

The official relations of Priestley with the club brought out in a clear light his method, industry, and faithfulness. If these had been habits only, they would not have distinguished him from many commonplace characters. But in them they were also the marks and issues of strong mental and moral qualities, which commanded a high degree of respect and interest in his social intercourse with us. That penetrating insight and honesty in holding to convictions which characterized his eminent great-uncle, the philosopher Joseph Priestley [sic: this claimed kinship not established], seem to have belonged by family resemblance, to him too. And in all discussions, whether upon topics demanding subtle reasonings, or upon those that called only for lighter comment, he was not only ready and apt for his own part, but most tolerant and attentive in his regard for differing views. In such discussions—and all of us can remember what soundness and sincerity he brought for his share in them—the last word never seemed to have been said until his thought had been spoken. And this too was particularly noticeable in his club-talk—that while having the most liberal understanding of the boldness of modern inquiry, and while his mind was always ready to welcome the stimulus of new and strange questions, he held the firm belief that truths of all kinds will at last be harmonized, and the settled conviction that religious truths are as high and as necessary as any others. When we recall besides the utter absence from his temper of anything like impatience or aggressiveness, the modesty and deference that suffused his conversation, we give him no more than just praise in owning that there are very few, either among those who have preceded him in the Century, or among those whom he leaves to regret him, who have so nearly attained the ideal of instructive and general companionship.

Augustus R. Macdonough
1873 Century Association Reports