orum honorem, percussis.

This publication was smartly attacked by Dr. _Conyers Middleton_ in
1726,[14] who was replied to by several, and particularly, as it is
said, by Dr. _John Ward_, professor of _rhetoric_ in _Gresham
College_. This gentleman was supposed by his opponent, to have been
employed by Dr. _Mead_, who did not chuse to enter personally, into
this little-important debate; upon which presumption, Dr. _Middleton_
published a defence of his former dissertation in the succeeding
year;[15] wherein he treats his respondents with no little
contempt.[16] The merits of this dispute are not intended to be here
discussed, but it may not be amiss to observe, that however
displeased Dr. _Middleton_ may have been with his antagonists; in a
work published several years after, he speaks of our author in the
most respectful manner. In treating of an antique picture, he says, he
believes it to be the first, and only one of the sort ever brought to
_England_, "_donec_ Meadius _noster, artis medicae decus, qui vita
revera nobilis, vel principibus in republica viris, exemplum praebet,
pro eo, quo omnibus fere praestat artium veterum amore, alias postea
quasdam, & splendidiores, opinor, Roma quoque deportandas
curavit_."[17]

[14] In a piece entitled, _De medicorum apud veteres_ Romanos
_degentium conditione dissertatio; contra viros celeberrimos_
Jac. Sponium & Rich. Meadium, M.D.D. _Servilem atque
ignobilem eam fuisse ostenditur_, published in the fourth
volume of his works, p. 179.

[15] Dissertationis, &c. contra _anonymos_ quosdam _notarum
brevium, responsionis_ atque _animadversionis_ auctores,
desensio, ibid. p. 207.

[16] Speaking of the answer ascribed to Dr. _Ward_, Dr.
_Middleton_ says, _quamvis enim nomen suum celavisset, sensi
tamen hominem e_ rhetorum turba _conductum esse oportere; cui
scilicet generi concessum novimus, omnia_ tragice ornare,
augere, ementiri: _is mihi solum scrupulus restabat, quod in
ejus quidem sermone, nihil plane, quod_ rhetorem oleret,
_nihil venustatis, nihil ornatus, sed inculta potius omnia
nec satis latina invenirem_.

_Hujusmodi itaque scriptorem, haud magis quam alterum illum
(cui neutiquam sane eum anteserendam censeo) cogitatione ulla
mea aut animadversione dignum judicassem; ni hanc potissimum
hominem a_ clarissimo Meadio _ad hoc_ respondendi munus
_delectum; librumque ipsum_ ejusdem cura &