Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 11.djvu/551

* KINETOSCOPE. 499 KING. however, tliut the kinctoscope has found its widest applicalioii, and Iroiu time to time the methods and ajjparatus have been vastly improved, with- out, however, being radically changed. It is pos- sible to photograph almost any subject of interest where suificient light can be obtained; battles, historic events, and other matters of interest are now reproduced in these moving pictures by similar in-,lrumeiits. known as the cinemato- graph, vitascopc, biograph, etc. The ai)paratus lias also been employed in scientific investigations, and an interesting series of photographs showing the propagation, refraction, and reflection of soundwaves have been prepared, which when thrown on a screen graphically illustrate the phenomena. KING (AS. cyning, 0H6. kuning, Gcr. Kiinig; probably connected with Goth. A-»)ii. OHG. kunni, AS. ciiiin, Eng. kin, race, family, and ultinuitely with Lat. genus. Gk. y4ms, genos, Ir. cine, tiki, jana, race, family, peo])le. from jan, to beget). The title of a ruler vested with supreme au- thority over a State, nation, or tribe. In early times the king was the chief source of all au- thority. He was responsible only to God, of whom he was the earthly representative, and his person was sacred. The tenure of the crown was usually hereditary, and was claimed by di- vine right, although occasionally it was elective within certain limits, as among the early Ger- mans, where the chief qualification for the king- ship was ability to lead the warriors in battle. With the growth of the feudal system the char- acter of the kingship changed. In Germany the royal power was largely usurped by the feudal lords. In France, on the other hand, the king was able to overcome the feudal nobility. With the constitutional development of modem times the feudal king and tiie absolute king of the nie- diiBval age have given way to the constitutional king, whose prerogatives are limited by the pre- scripts of a written constitution or custom. At present all the Continental European countries except Russia and Turkey have written constitu- tions which place substantial limitations upon the royal power. Another imi)ortant modification of the kingship efTected by the constitutional de- velopment of the last century is its relegation from a position of sovereign power to a position as an organ of government tnerely. That is to say, the European kingship is no longer a sov- ereignty, but an ollicp. the powers of sovereignty which foi'merly were vested in the king having been largely withdrawn and conferred upon the national legislative body. In the third place, the kingship has become more generally elective than formerly'. By this is meant the power of the legislature, now generally recognized, to depose unworthy kings and designate their successors. In most of the European constitutions the crown is dc'^cribcd as hereditary. In England the law of succession is lineal primogenial. with prefer- ence for males over females. In the Netherlands. Portugal, and Spain essentially the same rule prevails. In Belgitim. Norway and Sweden, and Prussia it is agnatic lineal primogenial. with absolute exclusion of females; in .ustria Hun- snry it is the same, except that in default of male heirs females may succeed. The age at which the kins attains his majority is usually eighteen, althoush in Austria-Hnnffary it is six- teen. During the minority of the kinir. or when for any reason he is unable to exercise the royal prerogatives, a regent is appointed, who is vested with the royal power. The only qualifications required of European kings relate to the profes- sion of religious faith. Thus in England the sovereign must be a Protestant, in Norway and Sweden a Lutheran, and in Austria-Hungary a Roman Catholic. Uy the ceremony of corona- tion a semi-sacred character is conununicated to the royal ]3erson which symbolizes his inviolabil- ity and supremacy. Among the qualities which attach to the crown are inviolability, inimacu- laleness, irresponsibility (for the conduct of po- litical affairs), and immortality. It is a com- mon maxim that the king can do no wrong; tlierefore his ministers who countersign his offi- cial acts assume the responsibility for his eon- duct. By the quality of immortality is meant the immediate transmission of the crown upon the death of the wearer to his successor without interruption or interregnum. In general. ' the powers of the king include the appointment to office; the disposition of the land and naval forces: the calling. oi)ening, proroguing, adjourn- ing, and dissolving of the parliamentary bodies; the approval or rejection of legislative measures; the appointment and recognition of ambassadors p.nd ministers: the negotiation of treaties, subject to certain restrictions in some countries: and the issue of administrative regulations and proclama- tions of various kinds. The crown is also the source of clemency and pardon, as well as of all honors and hereditary titles. In several of the European countries, besides Germany, the royal crown was formerly for a long period elective; these were Hungary, Bohemia, and Poland. KING, Albert Free.m.vx Africaxis (1S41 — ). An American physician, born in England, the son of Dr. Edward King. He graduated at Columbian University in ISGI, and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsyl- vania in 1S65. He became professor of obstetrics and diseases of women and cliildren in the medi- cal department of the Columbian University and in the University of Vermont: and was president of the Washington Obstetrical and Gynecological Society in lS8.)-87. He wrote a Manual of Ob- stetrics (1900). He urged with enthusiasm the theory of the mosquito transmission of malaria. This claim, republished in 188.3, was accepted in 1809 by the medical world as correct. He advo- cated a systeni of personal and municipal pre- vention which is gradually being put into prac- tice. See the article Insects, Proi'.gatio. of Disease by. KING, Ch.^RMS (1789-1SG7). An American editor and educator, born in New York City, the son of Rufus King ( 17.i5-18'27K He was edu- cated at Harrow. England, and in Pari-: re- turned to New York in ISOG. and was elected to the New York legislature in 181,'?. He was asso- ciate editor, with Verplanck. of the New York .[mcriran, from 1S2.3 to 1827. and was sole editor from 1827 to 1817. From 1849 until 18(33 he was president of Columbia College. KING, Charles (1844 — ). An American brigadier-ijeneral and novelist, born at Albany, N. Y.. Octolier 12. 1844. He was graduated from West Point in ISfifi: served in the artil- lery and cavalry: was retired as captain for wounds received in action (1879); was inspect- or and instructor of the Wi^^consin National Guard (1882-89), colonel (18901, adjutant-gen-