Note 373 — Chapter XIII
Reading edition
This gave origin to the well-known epigram (attributed by some to Dr. Trapp; by others to Mr. Warton, his successor in the poetry professorship), added to the circumstance of the ministry’s sending at the same time a troop of horse to Oxford, to suppress some disturbances that had happened there.
The King observing, with judicious eyes, The state of both his Universities, To one he sends a regiment; For why? That learned body wanted loyalty. To th’ other books he gave, as well discerning, How much that loyal body wanted learning.
It is but fair to subjoin the reply, particularly as it is the best thing that ever came from the pen of Sir William Browne, the physician; and extorted praise, even from Johnson himself, in favour of a Cambridge man.
“The King to Oxford sent his troop of horse, For Tories own no argument but force. With equal care, to Cambridge books he sent, For Whigs allow no force but argument.”
Noble’s continuation of Granger ii. 89.