beginning at the middle of Dumfries-shire in Scotland, makes a considerable part of Galloway, of which the earls of Nithsdale were hereditary stewards. The face of the country exhibits the appearance of one continued heath, producing nothing but pasture for sheep and small black cattle, which are generally sold in England; yet these dusky moors are intersected with pleasant valleys, and adorned with a great number of castles belonging to private gentlemen, every house being surrounded with an agreeable plantation. It is watered by the river Dee; which, taking its rise from the mountains near Carrick, runs through a tract of land about 70 miles in length, and, entering the Irish sea, forms the harbour of Kirkcudbright, a small inconsiderable borough, admirably situated for the fishery and other branches of commerce, which are almost totally neglected thro' the poverty and indolence of the inhabitants. There is no other town of any consequence in this shewtry.

KIRSTENIUS (Peter), professor of physic at Upsal, and physician extraordinary to the queen of Sweden, was born at Breslaw in 1577. He studied Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Syriac, natural philosophy, anatomy, botany, and other sciences. Being told that a man could not distinguish himself in physic, unless he understood Avicenna, he applied himself to the study of Arabic; and not only to read Avicenna, but also Mefue, Rhafis, Abenzoar, Abukasis, and Averrhoes. He visited Spain, Italy, England, and did not return home from his travels till after seven years. He was chosen by the magistrates of Breslaw to have the direction of their college and of their schools. A fit of sickness having obliged him to resign that difficult employment, with which he was also much disgusted, he applied himself chiefly to the practice of physic, and went with his family into Prussia. Here he obtained the friendship and esteem of the chancellor Oxenstiern, whom he accompanied into Sweden; where he was made professor of physic in the university of Upsal, and physician to the queen. He died in 1640. It is said in his epitaph, that he understood 26 languages. He wrote many works; among which are, 1. *Liber secundus Canonis Avicennae, typis Arabicis, ex MSS. editus, et ad verbum in Latinum traditus,* in folio. 2. *De vero usu et abusu Medicinae.* 3. *Grammatica Arabica,* folio. 4. *Vita quattuor Evangelistarum, ex antiquissimo codice MSS. Arabicis curate,* in folio. 5. *Nota in Evangelium S. Matthaei, ex collatione textuum Arabicorum, Syriacorum, Egyptianorum, Graecorum, & Latinorum,* in folio, &c.

He ought not to be confounded with George Kirstenius, another learned physician and naturalist, who was born at Stettin, and died in 1660; and also wrote several... KIT-KAT club, an association of above 30 noblemen and gentlemen of distinguished merit, formed in 1703, purely to unite their zeal in favour of the protestant succession in the house of Hanover. Their name was derived from Christopher Kat a pastry-cook, near the tavern where they met in King's-street Westminster, who often supplied them with tarts. Old Jacob Tonson was their bookseller; and that family is in possession of a picture of the original members of this famous club, painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller.

The design of these gentlemen was to recommend and encourage true loyalty by the powerful influence of wit and humour; and Sir Samuel Garth distinguished himself by the extempore epigrams he made on their toasts, which were inscribed on their drinking-glasses.