TYRIAN PUEPLE. 119 



her ancestors. The caps and mantles of the chiefs were 

 ahnost wholly composed of feathers, riclily coloured, and de- 

 corated with the most beautiful shells. Of these a conside- 

 rable number were the native productions of the country ; 

 others derived their lustre from the juices of herbs and flowers. 

 The high antiquity of the Tyrian pui'ple is confirmed by 

 Homer, who ascribes the wearing of purple ornaments and 

 robes to the heroes of Greece and Eome, and assigns the 

 preparing of them to. queens and princesses : in reference 

 to which custom, this great poet and accurate observer 

 thus describes the occupation of treacherous Helen, at 

 the court of Polypus : — 



" O^^tiose sovereign sway 

 The wealthy tribes of Pharian Thebes obey.) 

 Alcandra, consort of his high command, 

 A golden distaff gave to Helen's hand. 

 And that rich vase, with living sculpture wrought, 

 Which, heap'd with wool, the beauteous Philo brought ; 

 The silken fleece impurpled for the loom, 

 Rivall'd the hyacinth in vernal bloom." 



Odyssey, Book iv. 175. 



This beautiful colour was held in such esteem by the 

 ancients, that it was, at one period, especially consecrated to 

 the service of the Deity. Moses used purple stufl's for the 



