By the discovery of cochineal, etc., we far surpass the colors of antiquity. Their royal purple had a strong smell, and a dark cast as deep as bull's blood - obscuritas rubens , (says Cassiodorus, Var. 1, 2,) nigredo saguinea . The president Goguet (Origine des Loix et des Arts, part ii. l. ii. c. 2, p. 184 - 215) will amuse and satisfy the reader. I doubt whether his book, especially in England, is as well known as it deserves to be.