The acclamations in the senate, though more so lemn, were evidently borrowed from the theatres, being made, not at the pleasure of any individual, but, as in the choruses, by the direction of a person appointed for the purpose. They do not seem to have been intro duced till about the time of Trajan ; and were so much abused, and so inconsistent IA ith the dignity of the court. that Claudian procured their abolition. But flattery be ing always pleasing to tyrants, the custom was soon re sumed ; the emperors receiving not only at their first election, but whenever they entered the senate, that in cense of adulation which is offered to the rank, oftener than to the merit, of princes. The same may be said respecting the acclamations of the populace, which were as liberally conferred on the stupid Vitellius, and the sanguinary Nero, as on Trajan, who so truly deserved the title of Optimus. When the emperors gave largesses of money or provisions to the people, the form of accla mation commonly was, "De nostris annis tibi Jupiter augeat annos." (Tumuli. Apol. c. 35.) The Greek emperors were afterwards greeted with acclamations, taken from those of the 'Romans, the peo ple chanting out, ?oAAcz 675, " Many years." Nay, Plu
tarch mentions an acclamation so laud, on the occasion of Flaminius restoring liberty to Greece, that the birds fell from the sky at the shout. The Turks still observe a similar ceremony at the sight of their emperors and grand viziers ; and the custom of saluting kings, con querors, and distinguished persons, vs ith some forms of acclamation, is very general and prevalent.
At first confined to amusements and political subjects, acclamations were at length practised in ecclesiastical assemblies. Sermons were applauded with the hands and feet, the people most extravagantly and absurdly interrupting the preacher, by calling out, " Orthodox ! Third Apostle !" Ste. whilst they shook their loose gar ments, and waved their handkerchiefs, in token of their approbation. This practice was condemned by Chry sos tom, yet tolerated by Augustine ; but good sense, and religious decorum, at last succeeded in banishing it from the solemn services of Christian worship. Pitisci Lex. .int. Rom. Potter's .drclixol.Grtc. Suidas in EAeA. B ing ham's Orig. Eccl. xiv. 4. Lardner's Works, vol. iii. 8 I . (d)