I ragguagli di Parnasso, or, Advertisements from Parnassus in two centuries : with the politick touch-stone / written originally in Italian by that famous Roman Trajano Bocalini ; and now put into English by the Right Honourable Henry, Earl of Monmouth.

The L. ADVERISEMENT.

The Dukes, Marquisses, and other Titulati of Parnassus, complain grievously to Apollo, that their honorable Ti∣tle of Excellency, should be given to Doctors of Law, and Physick.

THe Duke of Aganippe's wife fell sick the last week of a dangerous Feaver; he therefore forthwith called together a Colledg of the best Physitians of this Court, wherein for his better satisfaction, he would be

present himself. And it fell out, that whilst these Physitians were arguing the business amongst themselves, they gave the Title of Excellency to one another: Whereat the Duke was so scandalized, as not being a∣ble to endure that so high a Title, and which in this our age is so ambi•…•…∣ously coveted by great men, should be frequently used by those thread∣bare Doctors; not tarrying to hear their result, departed from them, and went to find out divers Princes to whom the Title of Excellency is given; and told them they must make head, and no waies tollerate that so •…•…ignal a Title should be abused by Doctors of •…•…aw and Physick. The Princes were so wel pleased with this motion, as •…•…y immediately presented them∣selves before Apollo, and complained grievously that the Princely Title of Excellency should be used by those Doctors, for whom the Title of Sir, or Master, was too much. Apollo gave them no other answer, but that they should send for the parties to appear; which was done. So as the Doctors of both these professions appeared the next day before A∣pollo, who (the Princes their adversaries being present) said it was well known to all men, that Lawyers and Physitians were in the world long before there were any Dukes or Princes, who had their beginnings only since the Goths, and other barbarous Nations passing into Italy, divided it amongst them, into petty Principalities, till when the names of Dukes, Marquisses, and Earls were never heard of; and that the Doctors of Law and Physick, from the first plantation of Learning, had the Title of ex∣cellency given them, which they had ever since peacefully possest; and that those first Titolati which were seen in Italy, took upon them the Title of Excellency, as being a thing which was highly esteemed of by Lawyers and Physitians; and that since the Titolati were of much later standing then Doctors, no Justice would permit that the latter should deprive the more ancient, of the Title of Excellency: and that if the Princes their adver∣saries thought that that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was of less repute for being used to Sholars, they might leave it, and take to themselves one which they should like better; but that they were very sorry, that in these Modern times the Liberal Sciences should be of so small esteem, as it should be accounted a dishonour that Physitians and Doctors of Law should use the Title of ex∣cellency, which the ancient Dukes took from Doctors, as a thing which they did much value. And then they added, that for the eternal glory of Learning and to incourage men to learn the Liberal Sciences, the re∣wards of honorable Studies ought rather to be increased then diminished. To this the Princes answered, That the first foundation laid by the Do∣ctors, that the Titolati had taken the Title of Excellency from them, was false▪ for that the most of them had purchast it at deer rates from Su∣pream Princes.

To this the Doctors reply'd, That if to enjoy the Title of Excellency at dear rates, made for any advantage in this dispute, the Doctors of both these professions might say that they had paid dearly for the degree of Doctor, which brought with it the •…•…itle of Excellency to the Colledg which had given them that Degree. The Princes reply'd with a great deal of contempt and derision, that it was very strange that Doctors should pretend to parallel their excellencies which might cost them 50 crowns, with that of Dukes and Princes which required many thousands; and that the difference between the one and the others excellency, was easily discerned by the difference of the price. It appeared strange to

Apollo, that the Princes should presume to enjoy the name of Excellency at a dear rate: and he told them, that they by their monies had purchas∣ed the substance of the Estate which they possest, not the vain-glorious Title. But that Doctors who did first possess the substance of learning by their perpetual labour and watchings, might justly say that they had purchast the Title of Excellency, when they parted with their monies for the Degree of Doctor. To this the Princes answered with a deep sigh fetcht even from the bottom of their heart, that his Majestie was in the wrong; for many of them had purchast the Title without any State; when to a Castle or place wh•…•… they had enjoy'd from their Supreme Prince with the Title of Baron or Lord, they had purchast the Title of Duke or Prince, only that they might be honoured with the Title of Ex∣cellency. Apollo was so much distasted hereat, as he presently made an Edict, whereby he commanded all Kings and Emperors, that for the fu∣ture they should abstain from such like Mercandize, as from a thing un∣lawfull; and granted all Priviledges and Prerogatives which the Law by way of charity doth afford to Widows, Orphans, Idiots, and other mise∣rable people in demanding full restitution ex capite enormissimae saesionis, to those silly people who would throw away their money to buy smoak without roast-meat. Then to rid himself of this troublesom controver∣sie between the Princes and Doctors, he referred it to the Tribunal of the sage Grandees of the Liberal Sciences, who upon hearing of the fact, were to determin it: Before whom when the Dukes and Doctors appeared, after two hours dispute, those Judges gave sentence, that though the Ti∣tle of Excellency which was used by Doctors, and given to Princes, was of the same matter, quality and substance, yet it was the goods of For∣tune which was honoured in Princes with the Title of Excellency, and in Doctors, those of the mind. The Dukes thought then that the sentence was favorable on their behalf; wherefore with a scornful smile they said to the Doctors, These Judges have cleared the question once for ever. At the hearing whereof, the Doctors, who smiled inwardly at the simpli∣city of these Titolati, not to give themselves any further trouble, answer∣ed nothing. But when the Princes had conferred with their Learned Councel, who told them that the sentence made for the Doctors, they prest his Majestie that they might be suffered to appeal: Apollo troubled at the Princes pressures, bad them be quiet; for they vilified the Title of Excellency, who bought it with their monies; not they who had won by their labour and study: And that if the Dukes, and other T•…•…tolati would purchase infinite honor to themselves, they should open their purses, and by rewarding the Professers of Learning acquire unto them∣selves the Title of Liberal; which with men of sound judgement, and perfect understanding, was thought to be much above that of Excellency, Highness, nay even that of Cesars sacred Imperial Majesty.