594 [ Proc - B.N.F.C. 



That now adornest conquering chiefs, and now, 

 Clippest the brows of overruling kings, 

 From victory to victory ; 



Thus climbing on through all the heights of story, 

 From worth to worth, and glory unto glory. 1 ' 

 The Greeks gave a wreath of Laurel to the victor in the 

 Pythian games, but the victor in the Olympic games had a 

 wreath of wild Olives. In the Nemean games the victor 

 received a wreath of wild parsley, and the victor in the 

 Isthmian games a wreath of dry parsley or green pine leaves. 

 St. Paul refers to these honorary crowns of victory in the 

 games of the Greeks, as striving after a corruptable crown, in 

 contradistinction to the " incorrnptable crown' 1 ' 1 of the gospel 

 he preached. 



The Triumphal Crown [coronce inumphales) originally 

 formed of laurel or bay leaves, was given to the general who 

 obtained a triumph. Of all the honours decreed to Caesar by 

 the Senate he is said to have valued most the privilege of 

 wearing a laurel crown ; we see it frequently represented 

 adorning the head on antique busts, coins &c, modern art 

 repeats the same distinction on the heads of kings and heroes. 

 A head so decorated is said to be laureated. Aesculapius wears 

 a laurel crown, because that tree is powerful in curing many 

 diseases. St. Gudale in christian art carries a laurel crown. 



"The triumphal crown " among the Romans designated the 

 distinguished merit and bravery. Thus it was the custom of 

 the allies of the Roman Republic, who ascribed their safety or 

 deliverance to the success of the Roman arms, and even the 

 cities of Italy who admired their victorious general, to adorn 

 the splendour. of his triumph by their voluntary gifts of crowns 

 of gold, which, after the ceremony,* were consecrated in the 

 temple of Jupiter, to remain a lasting memorial of his glory to 

 future ages. Thus the triumph of Caesar was enriched with 

 2,822 votive crowns, whose weight amounted to 20,414 lbs. of 

 gold, this treasure was however melted down by the prudent 

 Dictator, as more serviceable to the soldiers than to the gods, 



