of Atheism brought against him at home, he pub. (1777) Disquisition relating to Matter and Spirit.  In 1780 he settled in Birmingham, in 1782 pub. his Corruptions of Christianity, and in 1786 his History of Early Opinions concerning Jesus Christ.  He was one of those who wrote replies to Burke’s Reflections on the French Revolution, one consequence of which was his election as a French citizen, and another the destruction of his chapel, house, papers, and instruments by a mob.  Some years later he went to America, where he d. P. has been called the father of modern chemistry.  He received many scientific and academic honours, being a member of the Royal Society, of the Academies of France, and of St. Petersburg, and an LL.D. of Edin.  He was a man of powerful and original mind, of high character, and of undaunted courage in maintaining his opinions, which were usually unpopular.

PRINGLE, THOMAS (1789-1834).—­Poet, b. in Roxburghshire, studied at Edin., and became known to Scott, by whose influence he obtained a grant of land in South Africa, to which he, with his f. and brothers, emigrated.  He took to literary work in Cape Town, and conducted two papers, which were suppressed for their free criticisms of the Colonial Government.  Thereupon he returned and settled in London, where he pub. African Sketches.  He also produced a book of poems, Ephemerides.

PRIOR, MATTHEW (1664-1721).—­Poet, b. near Wimborne Minster, Dorset, s. of a joiner who, having d., he was ed. by an uncle, and sent to Westminster School.  Befriended by the Earl of Dorset he proceeded to Camb., and while there wrote, jointly with Charles Montague, The Town and Country Mouse, a burlesque of Dryden’s Hind and Panther.  After holding various diplomatic posts, in which he showed ability and discretion, he entered Parliament in 1700, and, deserting the Whigs, joined the Tories, by whom he was employed in various capacities, including that of Ambassador at Paris.  On the death of Queen Anne he was recalled, and in 1715 imprisoned, but after two years released.  In 1719 a folio ed. of his works was brought out, by which he realised L4000, and Lord Harley having presented him with an equal sum, he looked forward to the peace and comfort which were his chief ambition.  He did not, however, long enjoy his prosperity, dying two years later.  Among his poems may be mentioned Solomon, which he considered his best work, Alma, or the Progress of the Mind, The Female Phaeton, To a Child of Quality, and some prose tales.  His chief characteristic is a certain elegance and easy grace, in which he is perhaps unrivalled.  His character appears to have been by no means unimpeachable, but he was amiable and free from any trace of vindictiveness.