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KIT

Volume 11 · 192 words · 1815 Edition

in Musici, the name of a small violin, of such form and dimension as to be capable of being carried in a case or sheath in the pocket. Its length, mea- suring from the extremities, is about 16 inches, and that of the bow about 17. Small as this instrument is, its powers are co-extensive with those of the violin.

Kit-Can-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 Ton- son was their bookseller: and that family is in pos- session of a picture of the original members of this fa- mous club, painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller. The de- sign of these gentlemen was to recommend and encour- age 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.