The following _jeu d'esprit_ appeared at Oxford in 1819: printed, not
published, but laid simultaneously on the tables of all the Common Rooms.
No author's name was attached to it then, and therefore no attempt is now
made to supply this deficiency by conjecture. Since the attention of the
discerning public has lately been directed towards the University of
Oxford, probably with the expectation of finding some faults in her system
of education, it is possible that some of those who are engaged or
interested in that inquiry may be amused and instructed by the good sense,
humour, logic, and Latinity of this satire.
"ERUDITIS OXONIÆ AMANTIBUS SALUTEM.
"Acerrimis vestrûm omnium judiciis permittitur conspectus, sive
syllabus, libri breviter edendi, et e Prelo Academico, si Diis, _i. e._
Delegatis, placet, prodituri: in quo multa dictu et notatu dignissima a
tenebris et tineis vindicantur; multa ad hujusce loci instituta et
disciplinam pertinentia agitantur; plurima quæ Academiæ famam et
dignitatem spectant fuse admodum et libere tractantur et explicantur.
Subjiciuntur operis illustrandi ergo capitum quorundam Argumenta,
'[Greek: Ek Dios archômestha].'
1. Ælfredi magni somnium de Sociis omnibus Academicis ad Episcopatum
promovendis:
'With suppliant smiles they bend the head,
While distant mitres to their eyes are spread.'
_Byron._
Opus egregium perutile perjucundum ex membranis vetustissimis detritis
tertium rescriptis, solertiâ plus quam Angelo-Maiana, nuperrime
redintegratum.
2. Devorguillæ, Balliolensibus semper carissimæ, pudicitia laborans
vindicatur.
3. Contra Kilnerum et Mertonenses disputatur, Pythagoram Cantabrigiæ
nunquam docuisse:
'[Greek: Dedaidalmenoi pseudesi poikilois]
[Greek: Exapatônti muthoi].'--_Pind._
4. Wiccamici publicis examinationibus liberi, sibi et reipublicæ
nocentes.