ession of the
country. And even then it was but partially received: for though mention is
made of the coast of Phoenice, yet we find the natives called Sidonians,
Tyrians, and [2]Canaanites, as late as the days of the Apostles. It was an
honorary term, compounded of Anac with the Egyptian prefix; and rendered at
times both Phoinic and Poinic. It signified a lord or prince: and was
particularly assumed by the sons of Chus and Canaan. The Mysians seem to
have kept nearest to the original pronunciation, who gave this title to the
God Dionusus, and called him Ph'anac.

[3]Ogygia me Bacchum vocat,
Osirin AEgyptus putat,
Mysi Phanacem.

It was also conferred upon many things, which were esteemed princely and
noble. Hence the red, or scarlet, a colour appropriated to great and
honourable personages, was styled Phoinic. The palm was also styled
Phoinic, [Greek: Phoinix]: and the antients always speak of it as a stately
and noble tree. It was esteemed an emblem of honour; and made use of as a
reward of victory. Plurimarum palmarum homo, was a proverbial expression
among the Romans, for a soldier of merit. Pliny speaks of the various
species of palms; and of the great repute in which they were held by the
Babylonians. He says, that the noblest of them were styled the royal Palms;
and supposes that they were so called from their being set apart for the
king's use. But they were very early an emblem of royalty: and it is a
circumstance included in their original name. We find from Apuleius, that
Mercury, the [4]Hermes of Egypt, was represented with a palm branch in his
hand: and his priests at Hermopolis used to have them stuck in their
[5]sandals, on the outside. The Goddess [6]Isis was thus represented: and
we may infer that Hermes had the like ornaments; which the Greeks mistook
for feathers, and have in consequence of it added wings to his feet. The
Jews used to carry boughs of the same tree at some of their festivals; and
particularly at the celebration of their nuptials: and it was thought to
have an influence at the birth. Euripides alludes to this in his Ion; where
he makes Latona recline herself against a Palm tree, when she is going to
produce Apollo and Diana.

[7][Greek: Phoinika Par' habrokoman]
[Greek: Entha locheumata semn' elocheusato]
[Greek: Lato.]

In how great estimation this tree was held of old, we may learn from many
passages in the sacred writings. Solomon says to his espoused, [8]_how f