NOTE. I CANNOT ascertain the exact date of the writing of this amusing satirical piece. It was first published in 1720, in Dublin, and the title-page states "written by Dr. Swift." Opposite the title-page, and on the back of the half title, is the following: Dublin-Castle, Feb. 3, 1720. Sir, I here enclose to you a Pamphlet, written by Dr. Swift, in which you will find the Humour peculiar to that Gentleman. I am, Sir, yours, &c." The humour of the pamphlet is very evident, as is also the peculiar style of "that gentleman," but some of the points are lost owing to our inability to fix the personal satire. The text of the present edition is based on the first London edition of 1720, which has been compared with those of the second London edition of the same date, the Miscellanies of 1722 and the texts of Faulkner and Scott. [T. S.] THE RIGHT OF PRECEDENCE BETWEEN Phyficians and Civilians Enquir❜d into. Tu major, tibi me eft æquum parere Menalca, Virg. Fidis offendar Medicis? irafcar amicis? Written by Dr. Swift. Hor. Printed at Dublin in the Year 1720; and Reprinted at London for 7. Roberts, near the Oxford Arms, in Warwick Lane. THE RIGHT OF PRECEDENCE BETWEEN I PHYSICIANS AND CIVILIANS ENQUIRED INTO. Tu major, tibi me est aequum parere Menalca.-VIRG. HAVE waited hitherto, with no little impatience, to see some good effect of that debate which I thought was happily started at a late meeting of our University1 upon the subject of our precedence, between professors of law and physic. And, though I can't join in opinion with the worthy gentleman who first moved in it, I must needs say the motion was seasonable, and well became him: For, besides that he intended an honour to a faculty he was promoted above, and was so self-denying as to waive all debates of that nature, as long as he was a party concerned in the motion, he did what in him lay, to put an end by authority, to a point in controversy, which had long divided the gentlemen of those two faculties; and I am very much mistaken if the same person does not hereafter prove as much a friend to piety and learning in his other designs, as he has been already in this, to the peace and agreement of learned men. But to my great disappointment, little more has been said upon the subject, since the first debate, than what has been argued in private, more for the entertainment of single gentlemen, than the use and information of mankind. I have heard that the matter is brought to a compromise, and professors in both faculties have agreed to yield precedence to one another, according to their standing, and the date of their commencement. 1 Trinity College, Dublin. |