KIRWAN. 357 tures still continued to add to his reputation, and to that of those who acted under his instructions. For a period of more than twelve months, public affairs had continued to flow in the same regular channel, when the breaking out of the rebellion, and the expectation of succours from France, rendered it necessary for the admi r a l t o exert redoubled vigilance. Emboldened b y the posture o f affairs i n Ireland, France resumed her project; and the Hoche, a ship o f the line, and eight frigates, having o n board near five thousand troops, together with great quantities o f arms and stores, destined for that country, found means t o clear Brest harbour. No sooner, however, did they appear off the Irish coast, than they were met b y Sir John Borlase Warren, and such a s escaped from the general action, became a prey t o Admiral Kings mill and his cruisers. Thus devoid o f these inore potent antagonists, h e continued o n this station, industriously employing the same means which h e had before exerted with s o much effect against the enemies o f his country, till towards the conclusion o f the year 1800, when h e resigned his command t o Sir Alan Gardner; and, we believe, was never afterwards actively employed i n the public service. RICHARD KIRWAN, An industrious and celebrated chemist and mineralogist, was a native o f Galway, and descended from a respectable family. At a n early age, being intended for the profession o f medicine, h e was sent t o the college o f the Jesuits, a t St. Omer's, for education; and, i n illustration o f the inge nuity they exercised i n directing the studies o f their pupils, h e was afterwards i n the habit o f relating the following anecdote. Having acquired, from some ridiculous cause, a dislike t o the French language, h e declared he would never learn i t
h e would read books i n other languages, and apply t o other objects o f study, but h e was determined never t o learn French. His masters indulged him; they gave him books i n English, Latin, German, &c., until
