168

HISTORY OF

[ 1780 — 85 .

philosophy has a tendency to make men atheists ormaterialists. This absurd prejudice was first introduced,I think, by that illiberal though learned prelate, Dr.Warburton 13 .”

The excessive haughtiness of Dr. Horsley’s man-ner was extremely repulsive, even to his own party.Dr. Kippis , in his Observations on the late Contests inthe Royal Society , says, alluding to Dr. Horsley, “ Themanner which he assumed during the late dissensions,will not easily be forgotten. The impression willlong remain, on the minds of the Members, of thepower of voice, and the energy of words, with whichhis denunciations were delivered. The high tone headopted, went beyond the usual custom of publicdebates.” More than once, it appears by his speeches,he called the Committees packed juries; and it is wellknown, that when he perceived a defeat approaching,he threatened the secession of the mathematical party,and exclaimed, “ The President will then be left withhis train of feeble amateurs, and that toy (the mace)upon the table, the ghost of the Society in which phi-losophy once reigned, and Newton presided as herminister 14 .” It is stated that Sir Joseph Banks borehis victory without elation, and show r ed no jealousy

13 Playfair’s Works, Append., p. 79.

14 Dr. Horsley preceded Mr. Maty in the office of SeniorSecretary, to which he was elected on the 30th Nov., 1773- Fromthe controversies at the Royal Society , he plunged into those oftheology, which indeed, he commenced in 1778, chiefly attackingDr. Priestley. In 1788, he was created Bishop of St. David’s; in-1793, translated to Rochester, and in 1802, to St. Asaph . He wasmuch patronized by Chancellor Tlmrlow, who observed, that thosewho defended the Church, ought to be supported by the Church.