TYPtlAX PUKPLE. 121 



even with gold itself. Ancient writers mention several dif- 

 ferent shades of purple; one of which appears to have 

 been a kind of dark violet, inclining towards a reddish hue ; 

 another,, less esteemed, resembled crimson; but the most 

 valued of all was a deep red purple, similar in colour to 

 coagulated blood. A fourth kind, of a whitish cast, has 

 been discovered in modern times. 



The wearing of purple robes was, in Italy, originally con- 

 fined to the first officers of Eome ; but, as luxury increased 

 in the capital of the world, they were gradually adopted by 

 the lower ranks of patrician society, till every one who had 

 wealth sufficient to purchase them appeared in the Circus 

 and at the theatre arrayed in these costly habiliments. 

 But the Emperors could not endure that plebeians should 

 thus appropriate a style of dress which had hitherto de- 

 signated the highest officers of the state. A law was 

 therefore passed, to render it a distinguishing mark of im- 

 perial dignity, as well as a symbol of inauguration ; and 

 hence, to assume the purple, was a phrase synonymous with 

 that of ascending the throne. At length came one of 

 prouder character than any that had preceded liim, and he 

 not only appointed officers to superintend the manufacturing 

 of this imperial dye, but even denounced the punishment of 



