I come now to that point of Precedency which is settled among the three Learned Professions, by the Wisdom of our Laws.  I need not here take Notice of the Rank which is allotted to every Doctor in each of these Professions, who are all of them, though not so high as Knights, yet a Degree above Squires; this last Order of Men being the illiterate Body of the Nation, are consequently thrown together into a Class below the three Learned Professions.  I mention this for the sake of several Rural ’Squires, whose Reading does not rise so high as to the Present State of England, and who are often apt to usurp that Precedency which by the Laws of their Country is not due to them.  Their Want of Learning, which has planted them in this Station, may in some measure extenuate their Misdemeanour; and our Professors ought to pardon them when they offend in this Particular, considering that they are in a State of Ignorance, or, as we usually say, do not know their Right Hand from their Left.

There is another Tribe of Persons who are Retainers to the Learned World, and who regulate themselves upon all Occasions by several Laws peculiar to their Body.  I mean the Players or Actors of both Sexes.  Among these it is a standing and uncontroverted Principle, that a Tragedian always takes place of a Comedian; and ’tis very well known the merry Drolls who make us laugh are always placed at the lower End of the Table, and in every Entertainment give way to the Dignity of the Buskin.  It is a Stage Maxim, Once a King, and always a King.  For this Reason it would be thought very absurd in Mr. Bullock, notwithstanding the Height and Gracefulness of his Person, to sit at the Right Hand of an Hero, tho’ he were but five Foot high.  The same Distinction is observed among the Ladies of the Theatre.  Queens and Heroines preserve their Rank in private Conversation, while those who are Waiting-Women and Maids of Honour upon the Stage, keep their Distance also behind the Scenes.

I shall only add, that by a Parity of Reason, all Writers of Tragedy look upon it as their due to be seated, served, or saluted before Comick Writers:  Those who deal in Tragi-Comedy usually taking their Seats between the Authors of either Side.  There has been a long Dispute for Precedency between the Tragick and Heroick Poets. Aristotle would have the latter yield the Pas to the former, but Mr. Dryden and many others would never submit to this Decision.  Burlesque Writers pay the same Deference to the Heroick, as Comick Writers to their Serious Brothers in the Drama.

By this short Table of Laws, Order is kept up, and Distinction preserved in the whole Republick of Letters.

O.

* * * * *

No. 530.  Friday, November 7, 1712.  Addison.

  ’Sic visum Veneri; cui placet impares
  Formas atque animos sub juga ahenea
  Saevo mittere cum joco.’