published
a confutation of Varillas's account of Wickliffe; and, engaging in the
study of the civil law, became Doctor in 1692, and was admitted advocate
at Doctors' Commons.

He had already made some translations from the French, and written some
humorous and satirical pieces; when, in 1694, Molesworth published his
"Account of Denmark," in which he treats the Danes and their monarch
with great contempt; and takes the opportunity of insinuating those wild
principles by which he supposes liberty to be established, and by
which his adversaries suspect that all subordination and government is
endangered.

This book offended Prince George; and the Danish Minister presented a
memorial against it. The principles of its author did not please Dr.
King; and therefore he undertook to confute part, and laugh at the rest.
The controversy is now forgotten: and books of this kind seldom live
long when interest and resentment have ceased.

In 1697 he mingled in the controversy between Boyle and Bentley; and was
one of those who tried what wit could perform in opposition to learning,
on a question which learning only could decide.

In 1699 was published by him "A Journey to London," after the method of
Dr. Martin Lister, who had published "A Journey to Paris." And in
1700 he satirised the Royal Society--at least, Sir Hans Sloane, their
president--in two dialogues, intituled "The Transactioner."

Though he was a regular advocate in the courts of civil and canon law,
he did not love his profession, nor, indeed, any kind of business which
interrupted his voluptuary dreams or forced him to rouse from that
indulgence in which only he could find delight. His reputation as a
civilian was yet maintained by his judgments in the Courts of Delegates,
and raised very high by the address and knowledge which he discovered in
1700, when he defended the Earl of Anglesea against his lady, afterwards
Duchess of Buckinghamshire, who sued for a divorce and obtained it.

The expense of his pleasures, and neglect of business, had now lessened
his revenues; and he was willing to accept of a settlement in Ireland,
where, about 1702, he was made Judge of the Admiralty, Commissioner
of the Prizes, Keeper of the Records in Birmingham's Tower, and
Vicar-General to Dr. Marsh, the primate.

But it is vain to put wealth within the reach of him who will not
stretch out his hand to take it. King soon found a friend, as idle and
thoughtless as himself, in Upt