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former, though but known to modern times, lias been 
believed by the ignorant to be the tree so veneiated by 
“ the mighty dead,” the classic bay; the mistake may 
have originated in the latter being called laurel and its 
fruit being named bayes. Various writers have, how¬ 
ever, come forward to assert its just rights, and restore to 
it its “local habitation and its name;” and the Laurus 
nobilis at last occupies that station in botanical works 
which, from its “ old renown,” it may fairly demand. 
It was commonly believed by the ancients that the 
bay was instrumental in 'quickening the fancy, and 
exciting poetic inspiration; on which account the vo¬ 
taries of the muse were wont to sleep on the leaves of 
this tree. 
The bay being held sacred to Apollo, the poet onlv 
seems to have a right to claim it as his owm; but we 
have the authority of the ancients for extending the 
privilege to other aspirants after fame, as in early times 
it was seen by turns encircling die brows of the prince 
and warrior, as well as die poet. The Abbe Resnel 
considers the custom of crowning poets to be coeval 
with poetry itself; but other writers fix it at a much 
later date, even so late as the reign of Domitian, before 
which period, they affirm, no authentic account can be 
