EPIGRAMS.
The two epigrams which follow were communicated to me many years ago by the Rev. George Loggin, M.A., of Hertford College, long one of the masters of Rugby School. He died July 15, 1824, at the age of forty; and this reminiscence of their old tutor's name will be welcomed by many a Rugbæan. They were represented to have proceeded from the pen of Thomas Dunbar of Brasenose, who, from 1815 to 1822, was keeper of the Ashmolean Museum. I have never seen them in print, or even in writing. They were recited memoriter, and from memory I write them down; and hence, no doubt, there will be some deviations from the true text. But they seem too good to be lost; and I am not
without hope that a correct copy may eventually be elicited from some of your correspondents.
With regard to the first, whether the lines were really made on the occasion stated, or the occasion was invented (as I am inclined to suspect) to suit the lines, is perhaps not very material:
"Reply to Miss Charlotte Ness, who inquired the meaning
of the logical terms Abstract and Concrete.
"'Say what is Abstract, what Concrete?
Their difference define.'
'They both in one fair person meet,
And that, dear maid, is thine.'
'How so? The riddle pray undo.'
'I thus your wish express;
For when I lovely Charlotte view,
I then view loveli-Ness.'"
On a certain D.D. (who, from a peculiarity in his walk, had acquired the sobriquet of Dr. Toe) being jilted by Miss H——, who eloped with her father's footman:
"'Twixt Footman Sam and Doctor Toe
A controversy fell,
Which should prevail against his foe,
And bear away the belle.
The lady chose the footman's heart.
Say, who can wonder? no man:
The whole prevail'd above the part,
'Twas Foot-man versus Toe-man."
I should like to ascertain the author of the following:
The Parson versus Physician.
"How D.D. swaggers—M.D. rolls!
I dub them both a brace of noddies:—
Old D.D. takes the cure of souls,
And M.D. takes the care of bodies.
Between them both what treatment rare
Our souls and bodies must endure!
One takes the cure without the care,
T'other the care without the cure."
Balliolensis.