Note: The true author is not known. The first edition of Swift's Works (1735) attributes this to Nicholas Rowe (1674-1718). In the later Hawksworth edition, it is attributed to Thomas Yalen (1670-1736). William Congreve (1670-1729) has also been suggested as a possible author. It is generally agreed that the piece was not actually written by John Partridge as the defense in the essay is more satirical than actual.