It matters little whether we sons of _Alma Mater_ sprung from the loins of Pythagoras, Cantaber, or the kings Brute and Alfred. They were all respectable in their way, so that we need not blush, "proh pudor," to own their paternity. But let us hear what the _cutting_ writer of _Terræ Filius_ has to say on the subject. "Grievous and terrible has been the squabble, amongst our chronologers and genealogists concerning THE PRECEDENCE OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. What deluges of Christian ink have been shed on both sides in this weighty controversy, to prove which is the elder of the two learned and most ingenious ladies? It is wonderful to see that they should always be making themselves older than they really are; so contrary to most of their sex, who love to conceal their wrinkles and gray hairs as much as they can; whereas these two aged matrons are always quarrelling for seniority, and employing counsel to plead their causes for 'em. These are Old _Nick Cantalupe_ and _Caius_ on one side, and _Bryan Twynne_ and _Tony Wood_ on the other, who, with equal learning, deep penetration, and acuteness, have traced their ages back, God knows how far: one was born just after the siege of _Troy_, and the other several hundred years before Christ; since which time they have gone by as many names as the pretty little _bantling_ at _Rome_, or the woman that was hanged t'other day in _England_, for having twenty-three husbands. _Oxford_, say they, was the daughter of _Mempricius_, an old _British_ King, who called her from his own name, _Caer Memprick_, alias _Greeklade_, alias _Leechlade_, alias _Rhidycen_, alias _Bellositum_, alias _Oxenforde_, alias _Oxford_, as all great men's children have several names. So was _Cambridge_, say others, the daughter of one _Cantaber_, a _Spanish_ rebel and fugitive, who called her _Caergrant_, alias _Cantabridge_, alias _Cambridge_. But, that I may not affront either of these old ladies," adds this facetious but sarcastic writer, "I will not take it upon me to decide which of the two hath most wrinkles * * * *. Who knows but they may be twins." Another authority, the author of the History of Cambridge, published by Ackermann, in 1815, says that THIS CELEBRATED CONTROVERSY