Priestley's New and Old Meeting Houses were burnt to the ground. News of this was conveyed to Priestley at Fair Hill, who thought it so improbable that he should be molested that he hardly credited the story. He was at last prevailed upon to leave the house, but having no apprehension with regard to his property, neither collected any of his manuscripts nor took anything with him. Detachments of the rioters now proceeded to Priestley's residence; they attacked the building with great violence, destroying pictures, furniture, etc., including a valuable library. It was hoped the laboratory would escape the attention of the crowd, as it was situated at some distance from the house, but this was not so; it was broken into, much valuable apparatus being ruined, and the building destroyed.
On the following morning various parties of the rebels entered the town and paraded the streets armed with bludgeons, vociferating "Church and King," words which the peaceful inhabitants chalked on the doors and shutters of their houses to aid security. The Earl of Aylesford, who had done his best to quell the disturbance, went to the ruins of Priestley's house and addressed the mob. He brought them into the town and tried to persuade them to disperse, but both his efforts and those of the magistrates were useless to stop the revolt.
During the day several residences were attacked and burnt, and in consequence additional constables were
