paid the difference out of his own pocket. On another occasion, 

 he transferred a brief to Mr. Scott, afterwards Lord Clonniel, and . 

 handed him £30, including the small fee which had been allowed 

 him. Mr. Kirwan finally relinquished the profession of the law 

 about the year 1768, after having practised two years. 



An ardent mind like his could ill brook the inglorious ease in 

 which he might have floated down the stream of life, possessed as 

 he was of ample means of living independently of the exertion of 

 his intellectual faculties. Having abandoned the study of the laws 

 of man, he soon after betook himself to the laws of nature, and 

 with what energy, talent, and industry, the Transactions of this 

 Academy, those of the Royal Society, the various journals, and his 

 detached works, bear ample testimony. 



In 1769 Mr. Kirwan, having left Ireland, commenced an estab- 

 lishment in London, now for the first time since the death of his 

 wife. He purchased an excellent library, became entirely devoted 

 to his studies ; every consideration of property was absorbed in his 

 ardour in the pursuit of knowledge. He no longer took any interest 

 in his other affairs ; he committed everything to his agent, and 

 could scarcely be induced to correspond with him. 



He returned to Dublin in 1772, and took temporary lodgings in 

 Peter-street, his daughters being placed at a celebrated French 

 school in Aungier-street. Here he frequently indulged himself in a 

 recreation which much delighted him, — the society and conversa- 

 tion of very young persons, — and often invited the school-fellows 

 of his daughters along with his young relations. This innocence 

 of mind and simplicity of character have been in many instances the 

 adjuncts of the highest order of intellect. 



A year after this date (in 1773), Mr. Kirwan retired with his 

 family to the county of Galway, where he inhabited his castle of 

 Cregg, and soon resumed his philosophical pursuits. Here he 

 commenced the study of the Greek language, which had been so 

 unaccountably neglected in the Jesuits" College: he was now in 

 his fortieth year. The derivations, difficult to the generality of 

 students, were to him the most interesting parts of the study ; and 

 so enthusiastic did he become in his admiration of the Greek, that 

 he considered it the primaeval language of mankind. He also at this 



