POETS LAUREAT. LONG HAIR. 
483 
and its powers produced not only new and exquisite sensations in judges 
and lovers of the art, but were felt by those who never received plea- 
sure from music beTore. The effect ran the risk of being doubted by 
all who heard the report ; and the present description will probably 
be pronounced fabulous, if it should survive the present generation.” 
Poets Laureat. 
The custom of crowning poets is as ancient as poetry itself ; it has 
indeed frequently varied ; it existed, however, as late as the reign of 
Theodosius, when it was abolished as a relic of paganism. 
When the barbarians overspread Europe, few appeared to merit 
this honour, and fewer who could have read their works. It was 
about the time of Petrarch that poetry resumed its ancient lustre ; he 
was publicly honoured with the laurel crown. It was in this century 
(the thirteenth) that the establishment of Bachelor and Doctor was 
fixed in the universities. Those who were found worthy of the honour 
obtained the laurel of Bachelor , or the laurel of Doctor ; Laurea Bac- 
calaureatus ; Laurea Doctoratus. At their reception they not only 
assunied this title, but they also had a crown of laurel placed on their 
heads. 
To this ceremony the ingenious writer attributes the revival of the 
custom. The poets were not slow in putting in their claims to what 
they had most a right ; and their patrons sought to encourage them 
by these honourable distinctions. 
In Italy these honours did not long flourish ; although Tasso digni- 
fied the laurel crown by his acceptance of it. 
In Germany the laureat honours flourished under the reign of Maxi- 
milian the First. He founded in 1504 a poetical college at Vienna; 
reserving to himself and the regent the power of bestowing the laurel. 
But the institution, notwithstanding this well-concerted scheme, fell 
into disrepute, ovi^ing to a crowd of claimants who were fired with the 
rage of versifying, and who, though destitute of poetic talents, had 
the laurel bestowed on them. 
The French never had a Poet Laureat, though they had Regal 
Poets; for none were ever solemnly crowned. The Spanish nation, 
always desirous of titles of honour, seem to have known the Laureat ; 
but little information concerning it can be gathered from their authors. 
Respecting our own country, little can be said but what is mentioned 
by Selden. John Kay, who dedicated a History of Rhodes to Edward 
the Fourth, takes the title of his humble Poet Laureat. Gower and 
Chaucer were Laureats ; so was likewise the rhyming Skelton to 
Henry the Eighth. In the Acts of Rymer, there is a charter of Henry 
the Seventh, with the title of Pro Poetu Laureato. 
It does not appear that our poets were ever solemnly crowned as 
in other countries. 
Clerical Zeal against wearing Long Hair. 
Pope Anicetus is said to have been the first who forbade the 
clergy to wear long hair : but the prohibition is of an older date in the 
