Physic July 7, 1691[1].

In 1696 Dr. Garth zealously promoted the erecting the Dispensary, being
an apartment, in the college for the relief of the sick poor, by giving
them advice gratis, and dispensing medicines to them at low rates. This
work of charity having exposed him, and many other of the most eminent
Physicians to the envy and resentment of several persons of the same
faculty, as well as Apothecaries, he ridiculed them with peculiar
spirit, and vivacity, in his poem called the Dispensary in 6 Cantos;
which, though it first stole into the world a little hastily, and
incorrect, in the year 1669, yet bore in a few months three impressions,
and was afterwards printed several times, with a dedication to Anthony
Henley, esquire. This poem, gained our author great reputation; it is
of the burlesque species, and executed with a degree of humour, hardly
equal'd, unless in the Rape of the Lock.

Our author's poetical character, joined with his skill in his
profession, his agreeable conversation, and unaffected good nature,
procured him vast practice, introduced him to the acquaintance, and
established him in the esteem of most of the nobility and gentry. Much
about the same time he gave a distinguishing instance of his profound
knowledge in his profession, his perfect acquaintance with antiquity,
and correct taste in Roman eloquence by a Latin oration, pronounced
before the Faculty in Warwick-Lane, September 17, 1697, to the great
satisfaction of the audience, and the raising his own reputation, as the
college register testifies. Pieces of this kind are often composed with
peculiar attention to the phrase, the sound of the periods in speaking,
and their effect upon the ear; these advantages were by no means
neglected in Dr. Garth's performance, but the sentiments, the spirit,
and stile appeared to still greater advantage in the reading; and the
applause with which it was received by its hearers, was echoed by those
who perused it; this instance is the more singular, as few have been
distinguished both as orators and poets.

Cicero, who was not heard by his cotemporaries with greater applause,
than his works are now read with admiration, attempted poetry without
success; reputation in that kind of writing the Roman orator much
desired, but never could compose a line to please himself, or any of his
friends.

Upon the death of Dryden in May 1701, by a very strange accident his
burial[2] came to depend on the piety of