time revived his knowledge of several modern languages of Europe, 

 80 necessary to his chemical and mineralogical pursuits. 



In 1777 he returned to London, and took the house No. II, 

 Newman-street, Oxford-street; his motive for preferring so obscure 

 a situation being its proximity to the suburbs and good air, in 

 both of which he delighted. Here he resided for ten years, making 

 occasional short visits to Ireland. He now prosecuted his scientific 

 labours in an atmosphere far more congenial to the development of 

 his immense powers of mind than that which he had forsaken. He 

 regularly attended the meetings of the Royal Society, of which he 

 was a Fellow, was honoured with the Copley medal; became one 

 of its most active members ; and was the friend and associate of 

 such men as the Honourable Henry Cavendish, Dr. Priestley, Dr. 

 Fordyce, Sir Joseph Banks, Dr. Ingenhousz, Sir George Staunton, 

 Home Tooke, Cavallo, and the celebrated Edmond Burke, with 

 many others. 



At his house in Newman-street Mr. Kirwan received his friends 

 every Wednesday evening. The conversations were learned, various, 

 and always interesting. I have in my possession some specimens of 

 the conversations, noted by Martin Dean, Esq., of Galway, and 

 much regret that it would be out of place to introduce them here. 

 Mr. Dean says, that those who attended were for the most part 

 men of science ; wits did not frequent the meetings much, and no 

 one endeavoured to shine at the expense of another. He who ex- 

 pressed himself with most precision and elegance (Mr. Dean says) 

 was Home Tooke; he delighted chiefly in metaphysical subjects. 

 Sir George Staunton was highly respected ; his observations were 

 marked by originality. Dr. Priestley generally preferred attending 

 to the conversations of others, than entering into them himself, 

 although his conversational powers were known to be very great 

 Mrs. Macauley gave her opinions with the greatest modesty, and 

 never touched on learned subjects unless urged to it. 



Conversazioni were also held every Sunday evening by Sir 

 Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society ; and at these Mr. 

 Kirwan was a constant attendant 



This was probably the most splendid, but not as yet the most 

 useful part of Mr. Kirwan's life. His residence was the resort of 



