And as, by your own avowal, the only end of religion is to render men better, in order to add to their happiness, p.

62, I have concluded that there are but two great systems of religion in the world, that of good sense and beneficence, and that of malice and hypocrisy.
In closing this letter, I find myself embarrassed by the nature of the sentiment which I ought to express to you, for in declaring as you have done, p.

123, that you do not care for the contempt of such as me* (ignorant as you were of my opinion), you tell me plainly that you do not care for their esteem.

I leave, therefore, to your discernment and taste to determine the sentiment most congenial to my situation and your desert.
* "And what does it do for me here, except, perhaps, expose me to the contempt of such men as Mr.Volney, which, however, I feel myself pretty well able to bear ?" p.

124.
This language is the more surprising, as Dr.Priestly never received anything from me but civilities.