in a convent at Lamberg. He returned to Germany in 1751 and went to Berlin, where he was engaged as a violinist in the royal chapel; but his services were transferred in 1754 from the king to Prince Henry, and he afterwards became the instructor of Princess Amelia Ann, and was appointed her kapellmeister, which office he held till he died. He was better known as a theorist in his own time—in which capacity his name has become important in history—than as a composer or a player, though he acquired some skill in both of these departments of the art. The chief of his compositions, consisting principally of church music, remain in manuscript; some few instrumental pieces are published. His didactic works rank very high in the theoretical literature of music; these are—"Die Wahren Grundsætze zum Gebrauch der Harmonie" (The true principles for the employment of harmony); "Construction der Gleichschwebenden Temperatur" (Construction of equal temperament); "Die Kunst des reinen Satzes in der Musik" (The art of pure musical composition), illustrated with elaborate examples by the author; "Grundsætze des generalbass" (Principles of thorough bass); "Gedanken über die verschiedenen Lehrarten in der Composition" (Thoughts on the different forms of composition), an introduction to the art of fugue—it is supposed that Kirnberger's design was to extend this work into a complete treatise upon fugue writing, a purpose which death prevented him from completing; "Anleitung zur Singkomposition" (Introduction to vocal composition); and "A treatise of the art of extemporizing minuets and polonaises."—G. A. M.
KIRSTEN, Petrus, or Kirstenius, as he generally wrote his name, a learned German, was born at Breslau in 1577. After studying in the German universities, he devoted seven years to travels in Europe and Asia. On his return he took degrees in medicine and philosophy, and began the compilation of his numerous works, as well as the practice of medicine. In 1608 he published at Breslau, at his own expense, the first part of an Arabic grammar, followed in 1610 by a second, and a third. Even now this book deserves to be consulted. In 1608 he published "Tria Specimina characterum Arabicorum," containing the Lord's Prayer, the fifty-first psalm, and the first chapter of the Koran, with Latin translations. In 1610 appeared "Notæ in Evangelium S. Matthæi," including a collection of the Arabic, Coptic, Hebrew, Syriac, Greek, and Latin texts, a very curious and learned work. In 1608 appeared the "Vitæ Evangelistarum quatuor," then first published in Latin from an ancient Arabic manuscript. In 1611 he published the Epistle of Jude in an Arabic version, with a Latin translation and notes. In 1609 he edited the second book of the Canon of Avicenna, with an Arabic translation and notes. At a later period he became professor of medicine at Upsal in Sweden, and physician to Queen Christina. He died at Upsal in 1640. He is said to have known twenty-six languages.—B. H. C.
KIRWAN, Richard, one of the most eminent chemists and philosophers of his day, was born at Cloughballymore in the county of Galway in Ireland in 1733. At at early age he was remarkable for his great love of reading and extraordinary acquirements. In his seventeenth year he was sent to Poictiers to complete his education, and distinguished himself there, especially for his great knowledge of Latin; in so much that upon his entering the Jesuit college of St. Omer in 1754, he acted as professor of humanity during his noviciate with great success. In 1755 the death of his elder brother, Patrick, in a duel, put Richard in possession of the family property, which was considerable, and he returned to Ireland from Hesden in the Netherlands in his twenty-second year. His inclinations for awhile fluctuated between a monastic life and the duties which his altered position imposed upon him; but the charms of a young lady decided the point, and he married in 1757. In 1764, after much study and reflection, Kirwan conformed to the established religion, and in 1766 was called to the Irish bar, which he relinquished after two years' practice and devoted himself thenceforth to philosophical studies. Long previously he had turned his attention to chemistry; he now resumed it with great ardour, and for that purpose went to London in 1769, where he continued studying till 1772. After an interval spent in Ireland he returned to London in 1777, and was a constant and active member of the Royal Society, which awarded him the Copley medal in 1781. His house became the resort of the most distinguished men of the day. He was on terms of friendship with Priestley, Banks, and Burke; he corresponded with all the savans of Europe, and throughout the war his letters were suffered to pass free from all parts of Europe; and so great was his reputation that Catherine II. of Russia sent him her portrait. He returned to Dublin in 1787, where he resumed his literary and scientific pursuits. Becoming a member of the Royal Irish Academy, he contributed a great number of papers to its Transactions, and his name was more frequently quoted than any other chemist, in all the scientific journals of Europe. As a mineralogist, too, Kirwan signalized himself as the author of the first systematic work on mineralogy that appeared in the English language. He has the honour also of vindicating, as a geologist, the scripture account of the cosmogony. To Kirwan, as a member, the Royal Dublin Society is indebted for their valuable collection of minerals, known as "the Leskean cabinet," which he purchased in Germany. A medal of Irish gold was presented to him by the society, and his picture, painted by Hamilton, was placed on their walls. Meteorology and magnetism were also favourite subjects of investigation with Kirwan, who left many papers of importance relating to these sciences. The number of his publications in various and diverse subjects of human knowledge, including divinity, law, metaphysics, logic, and music, evince alike the vastness of his mental powers and his industry. So great was his reputation, that when his "Essay on the Constitution of Acids" appeared, it was translated at once into French, and partitioned amongst five of the most eminent chemists of France, including Lavoisier, to answer. The answer was complete, and Kirwan candidly acknowledged the subversion of the phlogistic hypothesis he had so long laboured to maintain. Kirwan was honorary member of the academies of Stockholm, Upsal, Berlin, Philadelphia, and of many others; fellow of the Royal Societies of London, Dublin, and Edinburgh; and in 1799 was elected president of the Royal Irish Academy, and was honoured with the degree of LL.D. by Trinity college, Dublin. He was offered a baronetcy by Lord Castlereagh, but declined it. He died June 1, 1812.—J. F. W.
KIRWAN, Walter Blake, an eminent popular preacher, was born at Gortha in the county of Galway, Ireland, in 1754. Sprung from an ancient Roman catholic family, he was early designed for the priesthood, and sent to the jesuits' college at St. Omer, where he abundantly availed himself of all its educational advantages, and, as he often afterwards observed, "imbibed the noble ambition of serving mankind." On the invitation of a relative, he went to the Danish island of St. Croix in the West Indies at the age of seventeen; but the cruelties and oppression he there witnessed so shocked his sensitive nature, that after five years he returned to Europe. His maternal uncle being titular primate of Ireland, Walter by his advice went to the university of Louvaine to prepare for holy orders, and he was appointed to the chair of natural and moral philosophy there, which he filled with great credit till 1778, when he accepted the chaplaincy to the Neapolitan embassy at London. Kirwan became quickly known as an attractive and impressive preacher, and drew large audiences to the ambassador's chapel. After leaving the embassy he returned to Ireland. Gradually a change came over his views, and at length in 1787 he openly conformed to the protestant religion, into which he was received by the archbishop of Dublin in St. Peter's church. The fame of Kirwan had preceded him; and his ministrations in the pulpit in Dublin raised his reputation. As a preacher for charities Kirwan surpassed all men of his day. Yet a life spent in the cause of charity and religion received but scant reward. He obtained no greater preferment than a poor prebend, and a small parish, that of St. Nicholas—without, worth about £400; to which Lord Cornwallis added, in 1800, the deaconry of Killala. Kirwan died in 1805 at Dublin, leaving a widow and four children. A pension of £300 a-year was granted by the king to her and her two daughters.—Kirwan's eldest son, Anthony Latouche, has followed the steps of a father whom he strongly resembles in his powers as a preacher. He was presented to the deanery of Kilmacduagh, and in 1849 to that of Limerick.—J. F. W.
KISFALUDY, Sandor, a Hungarian poet, born on 22nd September, 1772; died on 30th October, 1844. He studied at Raab and Presburg, and afterwards entered the Austrian army, which, after being present at several battles, he quitted to seek retirement on his own estate, and to cultivate the Hungarian muse. His poem, or collection of poems, entitled "Hemfy" (Unhappy Love), had immense success, and was followed by "Happy Love." He wrote also tales of ancient Hungary; a
