and sketched out his three first cantos. Dissatisfied with the ordinary measure of German verse, he composed them in prose; but the want of all that melody which he had admired in the strains of Homer and Virgil mortified his poetic ambition so deeply, that he could not rest till he had discovered some appropriate form of versification. At length he resolved upon a bold experiment of copying what he admired; and regardless of the supposed unfitness of the Teutonic languages for the rules of Greek and Latin prosody, he determined to make trial of German hexameters. He pleased himself so well in his attempts, that he immediately fixed upon this measure for the whole of his future poem. A removal in 1746 from Jena to Leipzig, was the cause of introducing him to a knot of young votaries of the muses, who had formed themselves into a literary society for mutual improvement, and occasionally published their essays in a paper entitled the Bremen Contributions." Klopstock became a member of this society; and about this time exercised his poetical genius in lyric composition. Several of his odes, together with the three cantos of his Messiah, made their first appearance in the periodical work above mentioned. The applause he obtained by these effusions was such as to animate him in his career. In 1748 he quitted Leipzig, and took up his abode at Langensalza, in the house of a relation named Weiss, whose children he undertook to instruct. At this time he carried on a correspondence with a beautiful young lady with whom he was deeply enamoured, and who inspired him with much tender and pathetic poetry in the form of ode and elegy. She was, however, more flattered with being the subject of his verse, than disposed to return his passion; and disappointment for a time threw a gloom over his mind which gave a dark tinge to his poetical effusions. The publication of ten books of his "Messiah" made his name known throughout Germany, and acquired him a host of admirers, together with a considerable number of critics. The work was extremely popular among those who were equally alive to poetry and devotion. Young divines quoted it in the pulpit, and almost raised the author to the level of the prophetic bards of scripture. At the same time sterner theologians warmly censured the fictions in which the poet had indulged himself on sacred topics; and rigid grammarians made severe strictures on the style and versification. Klopstock read and profited by the discussions to which his work gave rise, but wisely avoided making himself a party in controversy. In consequence of an invitation from Bodmer of Zurich and his friends to pay them a visit, he travelled into Switzerland in 1750, and was received with every mark of regard and veneration. The sublime scenery of the country, the freedom of its political constitutions, and the frank simplicity of its inhabitants, charmed and tranquilised his mind; and there was a probability of his settling for life in a land which had adopted him for a citizen, when fortune prepared for him a very different destination. Among those who had been captivated by his poetry was the celebrated Danish minister, baron Bernstorff, then embassador in France. Upon his return to Copenhagen, he engaged the grand marshal count Moltke to join him in an invitation to the poet, with the promise of such a pension as should permit him to devote himself solely to the cares of composition. This was too flattering an offer to be rejected; and in 1751 he set off for Copenhagen, taking his way through Brunswick and Hamburg. At the latter city he became acquainted with Margaret Moller, a young lady of literary talents and a susceptible heart, who had been charmed by the "Messiah," and had a great longing to see the author. The steps by which this acquaintance ripened into mutual love are described with a beautiful and touching simplicity, in her letters to Samuel Richardson, published in the third volume of a late collection of his correspondence. His reception at Copenhagen was highly cordial, and his conduct there did honour to the philosophy and moderation of his character. He lived chiefly in retirement, never obtruding himself on the great, and occupied with his poetry and his correspondences, one of which was with the celebrated Dr. Young, of whose works he was a student and zealous admirer. In the following summer he accompanied count Moltke to his country seat; and that nobleman often took him to the king, who gave him proofs. of his esteem. The mind of Klopstock was attuned to love and pleasure by a delightful intercourse with his affectionate Margaret, during a subsequent visit at Hamburg, and some of his sweetest lyric compositions were the fruit of this period. It was not, however, till the summer of 1754 that their union was effected. The conformity of their tastes and affections shed felicity on the nuptial state. Mrs. Klopstock, in a letter to Richardson dated from Hamburg, May 1758, gives the following interesting picture of the husband and the poet. "It will be a delightful occupation for me to make you more acquainted with my husband's poem. Nobody can do it better than I, being the person who knows the most of that which is not yet published; being always present at the birth of the young verses, which begin always by fragments here and there, of a subject of which his soul is just then filled. He has many great fragments of the whole work ready. You may think that persons who love as we do have no need of two chambers; we are always in the same. I, with my little work, still, still, only regarding sometimes my husband's sweet face, which is so venerable at that time! with tears of devotion and all the sublimity of the subject. My husband reading me his young verses, and suffering my criticisms." How melancholy to reflect that this endearing partnership of sentiments and studies was dissolved by the death of Margaret in child-bed, a few months afterwards! Her memory was sacred to Klopstock to the last hour of his existence. She left a monument of herself in some works which he published in 1759. Klopstock resided for the most part at Copenhagen, till 1771; after which he lived chiefty at Hamburg, in the character of royal Danish legate, and counsellor of the margrave of Baden. This last prince granted him a pension, and engaged him to pass the year 1775 at his palace of Carlsruhe. It was no ordinary condescension or civility of the great which could put him at his ease in their presence; for he could very well discern, under the mask of affability, that air of superiority which often renders their notice and patronage distressful to a delicate mind. Though cheerful and unassuming with persons of his own rank, he was therefore distant and reserved in the intercourse with his superiors, and required many advances on their part to render him familiar. By those who were intimate with him he is represented as a truly amiable man, happiest in the small circle of private friendship, and particularly fond of the society of young persons, with whom he unbent in good-humoured pleasantry. The latter part of his life was little varied by incidents. After he had brought his "Messiah" to a conclusion, he continued to employ himself in compositions, and in the collection and revision of his works. So much were they esteemed in Germany, that they thrice passed through the press of Goschen from the year 1798. He shewed a disinclination to converse on those interesting and extraordinary occurrences which took place in the close of the century, and willingly recurred to the scenes of his early days, which were impressed on his He The poetical character of Klopstock is that of exuberance of imagination and sentiment. Sublime almost beyond parallel, he is apt to lose himself in mystical abstraction; and his excess of feeling sometimes betrays him into rant and extravagance. His great work, the "Messiah," a poem of twenty cantos, and twenty thousand hexameter lines, displays the prolixity of his nation, and the redundancy of his ideas. A very acute and intelligent critic upon it in the Monthly Magazine, vol. x., says of it, "No epopea exists out of which so many passages and personages could be cut without mutilation." To its high merits, however, he gives a free testimony, and he claims for its author a rank in the very first class of poets. Of his success in adopting the heroic measure of Greece and Rome, a German ear alone can be the adequate judge. From the popularity of the work, it is clear that, at least, his innovation has been. endured; but it does not appear to have produced many imitators. The odes and lyric pieces of Klopstock are greatly admired by his countrymen. His dramatic works are said to possess much force and dignity, but to be better adapted to the closet than the stage. He was also a prose writer of no mean rank, and his "Grammatical Dialogues" are esteemed for their judicious remarks, and their patriotic purpose of proving that the German tongue is capable of all the strength and nobleness of a classical language.-A. KLOTZ, CHRISTIAN ADOLPHUS, an eminent German critic and classical scholar, was born in the year 1738, at Bischofswerden, not far from Dresden, where his father was a clergyman. At a very early period he displayed such an attachment to letters, that his parents spared no expence to gratify his taste, and to enable him to cultivate his talents to the best advantage. He applied in particular to the study of his vernacular tongue, and employed those leisure hours which others de voted to amusement in composing and reciting German verses. After acquiring the rudiments of learning, he was removed to Gorlitz, where he studied, under Baumgarten, the Greek and Roman classics. He made great progress also in Latin versification, and gave a very favourable specimen of his talents in this way, in a poem which he composed on the destruction of Zittau,which was laid waste in the year 1757. He wrote also before he quitted Gorlitz a small treatise, in which he undertook the defence of Cario against Plutarch and Dio Cassius. In the year 1758, he proceeded to Leipsic to study jurisprudence, and there wrote a small work entitled "Epistola ad virum doctum et humanissimum I. C. Richelium de quibusdam ad Homerum pertinentibus," Lipsia, 1758. While at Leipsic, he took a share in the Acta Eruditorum, and wrote two satirical pieces," Mores Eruditorum," and "Genius Seculi," both published at Altenburgh, in 1760; in one of which he ridicules the prevailing taste for comprehending the whole circle of the sciences in dictionaries, and the practice in universities of reducing learning under certain heads and classes, according to general rules. The severity of the satire in these pieces excited a host of literary foes against the author, and exposed him to considerable abuse, which he however treated with that contempt which it deserved. He now returned to the muses, the favourites of his earliest years, and published his "Opus cula Poetica," at Altenburgh, in 1761, containing twenty-three odes, three satires, and as many elegics. These he considered as the last productions of his muse, and he accordingly took leave of the nine in some elegant verses. He had scarcely been three years at Leipsic, when he was attacked by illness, which induced him to return home; and on account of the confusion occasioned by the war, he remained the whole winter in the bosom of his family. After the winter he repaired to Jena; and soon after his arrival there, he was elected by the Latin society to be their secretary, and entered on his new office with an oration in defence of the Latinity of Lipsius. By the advice of his friends, he opened a school, which was well attended; and the same year he published a small treatise, "De minutiarum studio et rixandi libidine quorundam Grammaticorum," which was followed by "Animadversiones in Theophrasti characteres Ethicos," containing some amendments in the text of that author. Soon after, Klotz engaged in an attack on Peter Burman, or rather undertook a defence of his own reputation against the Dutch professor, in his "Anti-Burmannus," Jena, 1761. Burman had published a specimen of a proposed edition of the Anthologia, and transmitted copies of it to the learned for their opinion. Klotz inserted his criticism on it in the Acta Eruditorum of Leipsic, and though he bestowed great praise on Burman, the latter felt so much hurt by the severity of the remarks with which it was accompanied, that he retorted in the preface to the Anthology, and threw out much invective against the editors of the Acta Eruditorum. This induced Klotz to resume his pen in defence of his criticisms, and to publish the work above mentioned. It was followed by a dissertation, "De felicii Audacia Horatii," Jena, 1761; and the next year, by a treatise "De nemoribus in tectis Edium Romanorum." In the latter, Klotz asserts, that the Romans borrowed their taste in laying out gardens either from the Thebans or the Babylonians. Though our author had formally taken his leave of the muses, he once more paid his court to them, and published "Elegia xiii et Oda iii in reditum Principis Juventutum Saxoniæ Frederici Christiani," Jenæ, 1762. About this period, Burman made another violent attack on our author in the Transactions of the Society of Utrecht; which was retaliated by Klotz, and several acrimonious publications appeared on both sides, which need not be particularised. Having accepted of an invitation to a professorship at the university of Gottingen in 1762, soon after his arrival there he was attacked by a severe illness, during which he amused himself in reading and making extracts from Muratori and other authors; and on his recovery wrote a treatise "De Verecundia Virgilii," to which are added, three dissertations relative to the eclogues of that poet. In this year he publ lished "Miscellanea Critica," Trajecti Batavorum, 1763, and also applied to the study of ancient gems and paintings, with which he made himself well acquainted, as appears by his edition of "Tyrtæus," published first at Bremen in 1764, and afterwards, much enlarged and in a more splendid form, at Altenburgh in 1767. His celebrity had now increased so much, that he received two offers the same day; one from the prince of Hesse Darmstadt, to be professor of oriental lan-. guages at Giessen, and the other from his Prussian majesty, to be professor of eloquence at Halle. While he remained in suspense. which of these he should accept, he was nominated by his Britannic majesty to be professor of philosophy at Gottingen, with an enlarged salary, which induced him to remain in that city. Soon after, he wrote "Vindicia Horatii," against the strictures of Hardouin; and illustrated the more difficult passages of that poct by a copious commentary. The same year he committed to the press at Altenburgh the first volume of "Acta litteraria," which being written in Latin, were much read in foreign countries. Four parts of these acts appeared annually, and gave an account, with critical remarks, of the different works published in regard to classical literature. Though Klotz had a strong attachment to the ancients, he was not a blind admirer of their productions, as appears by his "Epistolæ Homericx," Altenburgh, 1765, which laid the foundation for a literary dispute between him and Lessing, which was carried on, as is usual in such contests, with reciprocal virulence and acrimony. This was followed by "Auctuarium Jurisprudentiæ numismaticæ, a C. F. Hommelio editæ;" in which many things are supplied, others differently explained, and the sources of other monuments are pointed out. About this time Klotz's enemies, through motives of jealousy, were exerting themselves to ruin his reputation; and being likely to succeed, he was induced to quit Gottingen, and to accept an offer made to him by his Prussian majesty, of being professor of philosophy and eloquence at Halle, with the rank and title of aulic counsellor. While preparing for his departure, he published "Historia numorum contumeliosorum et satyricorum," containing not a mere catalogue, but a history of these coins; and on his removal to Halle, he gave to the public "Historia numorum obsidionalium," Altenburgh, 1765. On occasion of the marriage of his serene highness prince Frederick William of Prussia, he delivered in the principal church of Berlin an oration in praise of Frederick the Great; and about the same time effected, what had been often attempted but without success, the institution of a new society, called the literary society of Halle, which, on account of the freedom with which the members gave their opinion on literary matters, afforded great satisfaction to the liberal-minded part of the learned in Germany. While engaged in these and other occupations required by his office of public teacher, he composed a work on the study of antiquities," Uber das Studium des Alterthums," 1766; and soon after received a letter from prince Czartoritski, acquainting him that his Polish majesty invit ed him to Warsaw, to superintend the education of the children of the Polish nobility. Being highly gratified with this offer, as it af forded him an opportunity of visiting new countries, he requested leave from the king to resign his professorship; but his majesty ordered him to remain at Halle, conferred on him the quality of privy counsellor, and accompanied this mark of honour with a considerable addition to his salary. In the mean time he contracted an intimate friendship with Lippert; and that he might recommend his excellent works, he wrote a treatise "On the Use and Advantage of Gems," Altenburgh, 1760; in which he advises all those who have the direction of public schools to procure Lippert's Dactyliotheca, and to employ it for illustrating gems and the ancient writers. He published afterwards "Lectiones Venusina," Lipsiæ, 1768. About this time, prince Joseph Jablonski, an eminent patron of learning and learned men, had proposed a premium to the person who should compose the best work on the education of the Polish youth. Klotz, to gratify the prince, undertook this task, completed it in twenty-four hours, and obtained‹ the prize by the decision of the literary men of Leipsic, to whom the adjudication had been referred. He then revised every thing he had written on coins, and published "Opuscula numaria quibus Juris Antiqui Historiæque nonulla Capita explicantur," Halæ, 1777; which was to have been followed by a new work on gems, but the author was prevented from engaging in it by a sudden illness, which terminated in his death in the year 1771. Besides writing the above original works, Klotz superintended the publication of various others, to some of which he prefixed prefaces or dissertations. Vita et Memoria C. A. Klotzii, a C. E. Mangelsdorfio. Hala. 1772.-J. In KNELLER, GODFREY, an eminent portrait painter, was born in 1648, at Lubeck. His father, who was an architect and chief surveyor to that city, destined this son first to a military life, and sent him to Leyden to be instructed in mathematics and fortification;, but his inclination leading him to painting, he was allowed to pursue it, and took lessons at: Amsterdam from Bol and Rembrandt. 1672 he visited Italy, where he particularly studied the works of Titian and Annibal Ca racci. He resided some time at Venice, and was employed and noticed by some of the first families in that capital. He obtained reputa tion by several history pieces which came from his pencil at this time; but he deserted the nobler for the more lucrative branch of the art, and was accustomed to say, that history painters, who hadi made the dead to live, only began themselves to... live after they were dead; whereas he who painted the living was kept alive by them. Although this is a mercenary sentiment, many will acquiesce in Mr. Walpole's judgment; that the treasure left to posterity by one who transmits the likeness of all the eminent persons of his age is greater than if he had multiplied madonnas, and decorated palaces with imaginary triumphs and strained allegories. In 1674 Kneller, with his elder brother John Zachary (also a painter), came to England. Having obtained an introduction to the duke of Monmouth, who sat to him, the picture gave so much satisfaction, that Charles II. was prevailed upon to let the new painter take his portrait at the same time that he was sitting to sir Peter Lely. The superior expedition with which he worked, together with the strong likeness he gave, were much approved by the king, and his success fixed his residence in England. After the death of Lely he was made king's painter, and had no competitor. Charles sent him to France to take the portrait of Lewis XIV., but died before his return. James II. was equally favourable to him, and he was still more distinguished by William III. He sent him to paint the plenipotentiaries at Ryswick, and on his return conferred upon him the honour of knighthood, and made him gentleman of the privychamber. The portrait of czar Peter when in England was also taken by him for the same monarch. Queen Anne continued sir Godfrey in the same posts, and employed him to paint the archduke Charles, afterwards emperor. For this picture he was rewarded by the title of hereditary knight of the empire. George I. created him a baronet, and was the last of ten sovereigns who sat to him. A reputation so lasting and extensive could not but be founded on real merit; and it is allowed that Kneller, when exerting all his powers, maintains a high rank among portrait painters. He approaches Vandyke in the freedom and nature of his draughts. His colouring is lively, true, and harmonious; his drawing correct, and his disposition judicious. The airs of his heads are extremely graceful, and the hair flows in a very easy and becom-, ing manner. But, in general, all his attention is bestowed upon the head, and no imagination is employed in varying the attitudes or action of his figures. There is likewise great sameness in the airs, and even a general resemblance in the countenances. This may be said of his best works; a great number which he painted merely for money betray such marks of haste and carelessness, that they are He unworthy of an artist of any reputation. As The principal works of Kneller are his Hampton-court pieces, his admirals, his kitcat-club, and many of his illustrious portraits. He is said himself to have given the preference to his converted Chinese at Windsor. About seventy-five of his heads have been engraved. Walpole. D'Argenville. Biog. Britan.-A. KNIGHTON, HENRY, an ancient English chronicler, canon-regular of Leicester-abbey, flourished at the close of the fourteenth century, under Richard II. He wrote a history of English affairs in five books, from the conquest to the year 1395. For the greater part of this period he only transcribes Ralph Higden, but not without acknowledgment. He also wrote an account of the deposition of Richard II. He is reckoned an exact and faithful narrator of events within his own times. His works are printed with the ten English historians published by Selden in 1652. Selden's Preface. Vossii Hist. Lat. Nicolson's Hist. Libr.-A. KNOLLES, RICHARD, an English historian, was a native of Northamptonshire, and was entered at the university of Oxford about 1560. He is said to have been a fellow of Lincoln-college, and to have left it on being chosen master of the free-school at Sandwich. He proved his fitness for this post by publishing a compendium of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew grammar. Aiming at a higher depart |