Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 31.djvu/25

 of the Internal Evidences of the Christian Religion”’ (vol. iii., appendix), was reissued in an enlarged form, 12mo, London, 1776.

In 1770 Kenrick published ‘An Account of the famous Wheel of Hesse-Cassel, invented by Orffyreus,’ 4to; and in 1771 ‘Two Lectures on the Perpetual Motion, as discovered by the Author,’ 4to. In 1774 he collected in part the ‘Poetical Works’ of Robert Lloyd in two octavo volumes, with a life of the author, remarkable for being written without dates. In 1775 he commenced a translation of Buffon's ‘Natural History,’ and in 1778 a translation of some of Voltaire's works. His last undertaking was an anonymous translation of Millot's ‘Elements of General History,’ 2 pts. 8vo, London, 1778–1779. On 19 May 1779 he petitioned the attorney-general for a patent for a mechanical principle of self-motion (Gent. Mag. xlix. 269). He died on 10 June 1779 (ib. xlix. 327), and was buried on the 13th in Chelsea Old Church (, ii. 141). His portrait was engraved by Worlidge in 1766.

In his later years Kenrick seldom wrote without a bottle of brandy at his elbow. Though a superlative scoundrel, he was clever, and especially proud of the rapidity of his writing; even his more serious works seldom occupied him more than two days (Pasquinade, p. 20 n.) His other writings are: 1. ‘Poems; Ludicrous, Satirical, and Moral,’ 8vo, London, 1768; new edition, with additions, 1770. 2. ‘A new Dictionary of the English Language. … To which is prefixed a Rhetorical Grammar,’ 4to, London, 1773. 3. ‘An Address … respecting an Application to Parliament for the farther Encouragement of new Discoveries and Inventions …,’ with an appendix upon ‘the late decision on literary property,’ 4to, London, 1774. 4. ‘Observations, Civil and Canonical, on the Marriage Contract, as entered into conformably to the Rites … of the Church of England,’ 8vo, London, 1775. 5. ‘Free Thoughts on Seduction, Adultery, and Divorce,’ 8vo. 6. ‘Rural Poems, translated from the German of Gesner,’ 8vo.

 KENT, (1664?–1740). [See under, 1594–1651.]

KENT STRATHERN, EDWARD AUGUSTUS,  (1767–1820), prince, fourth son of George III, by Queen Charlotte, born on 2 Nov. 1767 at Buckingham House, had his early education in England under John Fisher, successively bishop of Exeter and Salisbury [q. v.], and completed it on the continent under Baron Wangenheim, with whom he spent two years (1785–7) at Luneburg and Hanover, and two years more at Geneva. On 30 May 1786 he was gazetted brevet-colonel. Wangenheim treated him with needless rigour, allowed him only a guinea and a half a week pocket-money out of the annuity of 6,000l. provided for his maintenance, and intercepted his letters home. The prince accordingly borrowed largely, and the debts thus contracted were a burden to him throughout life. In June 1790 he came home from Geneva without leave. The king was much displeased, gave him peremptory orders to embark for Gibraltar, and saw him for only five minutes on the night before he sailed (1 Feb.) At Gibraltar he was put in command of the 7th regiment of foot (royal fusiliers). A thorough martinet, he became so unpopular with his men that in May 1791 he was sent to Canada.

He was now in receipt of an income of 5,000l. a year, but out of this he had to pay the interest on his debts. In October 1793 he was advanced to the rank of major-general, and received at his own request orders to join Sir Charles (afterwards Lord) Grey's force in the West Indies. He arrived on 4 March 1794 at Martinique. In command of a brigade of grenadiers he took part in the reduction of that island, and also of St. Lucia, was honourably mentioned in despatches, and received the thanks of parliament. On the close of the operations he returned to Canada; on 16 Jan. 1796 was promoted lieutenant-general, and in October 1798, being invalided, returned to England.

In March 1799 parliament granted him an annual income of 12,000l., and on 23 April he was raised to the peerage as Duke of Kent and Strathern and Earl of Dublin. On 10 May he was gazetted general, and on 17 May commander-in-chief of the forces in