KING

A title of dignity in the languages, extinct and living, of the Gothic and Teutonic races. The term has long been considered of uncertain origin; but there can be little doubt that it is derived from the German word kcinnen, to be able, thus in the very threshold giving an idea of superior power or ability. In its primary acceptation it denotes a person in whom is vested the chief executive authority; but it is susceptible of as great a variety of shades of meaning as there are states or nations to be governed. Thus it is applied equally to the limited sovereign of England and the absolute sovereign of Pru ia; to the chief magistrate of Poland in former times, who was elected, and to that of England, who succeeds by hereditary right; to the head cf a savage tribe or barbarous horde, as well as to that of the most refined and civilized nation. It is expre ed in Greek by the word Basileus, and in Latin and its cognate languages by Rex; but all the nations of Europe have adopted into their respective languages the equivalent terms in use among the people with whom they carry on intercourse. Thus we speak of the Shah of Persia, the Grand Sultan, the Pasha of Egypt, the Dey of Algiers, . In countries where the kingly office is hereditary some form has always been gone through on the acce ion of a new king, in which there is a recognition on the part of the people of his right; a claim from them that he should pledge himself to the performance of certain duties; and generally a religious ceremony performed, in which anointing him with oil, by which a certain sacredne is thrown around his person, and placing a crown upon his head as a symbol of supremacy, are conspicuous acts. {Penny Cyclop.) The whole solemnity is styled the coronation. In modern Europe the Pope and the Emperor of Germany a umed as a joint prerogative the right of conferring the dignity of king. Frederic I. of Pru ia was the first sovereign who a umed the title, and had it acknowledged by the other states of Europe without their authorization. King. The sacred books of the Chinese, containing at once the principles of their domestic and public morality and the foundation of their historical traditions. According to a learned di ertation by M. Freret, in vol. xv. of the Me moires de IAc. des Inscr. et Belles Lettres, the original books known properly under this title are only four in number; but those commonly so designated amount to thirteen, which are published together. The first four contain the writings of Confucius. (See also vols, xxxvi. xxxviii.; and Eisch and Gruber's Encyclopedia.) [s. 640]