21. Amongst other things, it has of old been observ’d that the bay is ominous of some funest accident, if that be so accounted which Suetonius (in _Galba_) affirms to have happen’d before the death of the monster Nero, when these trees generally wither’d to the very roots in a very mild winter: And much later, that in the year 1629, when at Padoa, preceding a great pestilence, almost all the bay-trees about that famous University grew sick and perish’d: _Certo quasi praesagio_ (says my author) _Apollinem musaque subsequenti anno urbe illa bonarum literarum domicilio excessuras_. --But that this was extraordinary, we are told the emperor Claudius upon occasion of a raging pestilence, was by his physicians advis’d to remove his court to Laurentium, the aromatick emissions of that tree being in such reputation for clearing the air, and resisting contagion; upon which account I question not but Pliny (the nephew) was so frequently at his beloved Laurentium, so near the city. Besides, for their vertue against lightning, which Tiberius so exceedingly dreaded, that when it came with thunder, he would creep under his bed to avoid it, and shaded his head with the boughs. The story of the branch in the bill of the white-hen, let fall into the lap of Livia Drusilla, being planted, prosper’d so floridly, as made it reputed so sacred, as to use it for impaling the heads of the triumphing emperors, and to adorn the _limina_ of the temples and royal palace of the great Pontiff; and thence call’d _janitrices Caesarum_: _Cum tandem apposita velantur limina lauro, Cingit & Augustas arbor opaca fores! Num quia perpetuos meruerunt ista triumphos?_ As still at present in Rome and other cities, they use to trim up their churches and monastries on solemn festivals, when there is station and indulgences granted in honour of the saint or patron; as also on occasion of signal victories, and other joyful tidings; and those garlands made up with hobby-horse tinsel, make a glitterring show, and rattling noise when the air moves them.