RICHARD C. RAMER Special List 161 MEDICINE

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richard c. ramer
during the long dictatorship of Pombal (1750-77), the manuscript surely dates from
after his return. From the author’s praise in the dedication of the Duke’s “sabia errecção
de huma Accademia nova,” one may assume that the work was written just before the
Academia Real das Ciencias was chartered by D. Maria I in 1779. This theory is supported
by the author’s omission from the title-page of any mention of the Academy, or of any
rank attained by the Duke of Lafões after 1779.
The second Duke of Lafões, D. João Carlos de Bragança Sousa Ligne Tavares
Mascarenhas da Silva (1719-1806), was of the closest possible affinity to the royal house:
his father was the legitimized son of D. Pedro II. A nobleman of great talent and public
spirit, he led the aristocratic opposition to Pombal, living outside Portugal during most of
Pombal’s reign. In the quarter-century after Pombal’s fall he became one of the dominant
public figures. He was appointed Counselor of War in 1780, Counselor of State in 1796,
and Marshall-General of the Portuguese armies. A man of great culture and scientific
appreciation and a witty and generous patron, the Duke assisted both Gluck and Mozart
during his absence from Portugal. Immediately upon his return he formed the Academy