( 1 6 1 ) 
ftrate, and to put on the Purple was the fame thing as 
to alfume the Government. This Colour was fo ad- 
mired by the Poets, that they called every thing 
which was very bright and fine. Purple •, as Horace 
complements the Swan, which is never of any Colour 
but white, with 
Purpureis ales oloribus. 
We find even Snow honoured with the fame Epithet, 
whence fome have imagined that purpureus fignify’d 
white. 
The Children of the Emperors, and fuch as had a 
Profped of riling to the Throne, and their Guardians, 
fometimes wrote with Green ; Gold alfo was employ- 
ed for the like Purpofe. They that defire to fee more 
upon .this Subjed may have Racourfe to Mabillon 
De Re Diplomatica , and Monfaucon in his Paheo- 
graphia Gneca * 
III. Some Experiments concerning the poifonous 
"Quality of the Simple Water dijlilled from the 
L auro-cer asus, or common Laurel, 
made upon Dogs, at Toppingo- Hall in 
Effex, Auguft the 14th 1731. and others 
made before the Royal Society in their. 
(Repolitory* By Cromwell Mortimer, M. V. 
^ 5 . Secret. 
I Took a Peck of Laurel Leaves, and put them into 
an Aiembick with three Gallons of Water, which 
Y I 
