acute: for this purpose, kennels should be well aired, and strewed with fresh straw, to prevent the mange, or other infectious distemper. Mr. Beckford recommends these buildings to be erected in the vicinity of the mansion; and, on their first establishment, to construct them of the requisite capacity; because every subsequent addition impairs their external appearance.—Those readers who wish to acquire farther information on the management of the kennel, will meet with amusement in Mr. B.'s Thoughts on Hunting; of which, we understand, a new edition will shortly appear.
KERMES-MINERAL, one of the best preparations of antimony, which is so termed from its close resemblance to the insect called Kermes, or Coccus ilicis, L.—It is prepared by boiling together half a pound of crude antimony reduced to powder, and two pounds of purified pot-ash in eight pints of pure water, for fifteen minutes; stirring the mixture with an iron spatula; and then expeditiously filtering it while it is hot. The liquor is now suffered to stand in a cool place, where it soon deposits a powder that ought to be repeatedly washed, first with cold, and afterwards with hot water, till it be completely divested of its taste.
This medicine was originally contrived by Glauber, whose successor sold the secret of preparing it to the French King; in consequence of which, it was published in 1720.—If judiciously administered, kermes-mineral is a compound of great efficacy, on account of its exciting and evacuating properties. According to the quantity that is taken, it will operate either as an emetic, purgative, sudorific, or expectorant; for it is equally attenuating and resolvent, especially in disorders of the breast, proceeding from obstructions. The particular doses of this powder are mentioned in the accounts of the different disorders in which it is recommended; but, in general, one grain only is prescribed for adults, to be taken eveiy third or fourth hour.
Kex. See Hemlock, the Common.
KEY, a well-known instrument employed for opening Locks, of which we shall give some account under that article.
Key also denotes an extensive wharf for the convenience of loading and unloading goods on board of merchantmen.—See Quay.
KIDNAPPING, a term which implies the forcible taking away or seizure of any man, woman, or child, from their native soil, and conveying them to foreign countries.—This atrocious violation of natural liberty has at all times, and in every nation, been held in just abhorrence. Few crimes, indeed, can be more heinous; for, independently of the anguish it must occasion in the hapless captive's family, it deprives the sovereign of a subject; exiles a man from his country, while it exposes him to dangers, and hardships. Hence, our common law punishes the criminal with fine, imprisonment, and pillory. The stat. 11 and 12 William III. c. 7, (though chiefly intended against pirates) contains a clause, by which it is provided that, if any captain of a merchant vessel, during his residence abroad, force any person on shore; or wilfully leave him behind; or even refuse to bring home such men as he carried out, in case they are able
