Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-09-15
Hew Nero Killed bis Moiher.
By DE QUINCY.

HeW Nero Killed bis Mother.
By DE QUINCY.
For certain asons Of STATE, as Nero at
tented to persuade himself, but in reality
because no other crime had the same attrac
tons of unnatural horror about it, heresolv
ed to murder his mother Agrippina. This
being settled, the next thing was TO arrange
the mode and the tools. Naturally enoiug b
according to the custom then prevalent in
Rome, he first attemted the thing by poi.
son. The poison failed for Agrippina, an,
ticipating tricks Of this kind, had armed her
constitution against them. like Mitbridates
and daily took potent antidoes and prophy-
lastics. Or else (Which is more preba bleI
the eniPeror's as sent in such purposes, fearing
his sudden repentance and remorse on first
hearing of his mothers death, or possibly
even witnessing her agonies, had composed
poison ct inferior strength. This had GER
tainly occurred in the case of Britannicus,
who had thrown off with ease the first dose
administered to him by Nero. Upon which
| he had summoned to his presence the wo-
man employed in the affair, and compelling
her by threats to mingle more powerful
portion in his own presence had tried it
successfully upon different animals, until he
was satisfied with its effect 8; after which,
Immediately inviting Britannicus to ban
quet, he had finally dispatched him.
On ,Agsippina, however, no changes in the
poison whether of kind or strength, had any
effect; SO that, after various trials, this mode
Of murder was abandoned, and the empe-
ror addressed himself 10 other plans. The
first of these was some curious mechanical
device, by which false ceiling was to have
been suspended by bolts above her bed, and
in the middle Of the night, the bolt being
suddenly withdrawn. a vast weight would
have descended with rninous destruction
to all below. This scheme, however, tax
ing air from the indiscretion Of some a.
mongst the aceomplices, reached the ears
Of Agrippina upon which the old lady look
ed about htr too sharply to leave much hepe
in that scheme; so that also was abandoned.
Next, he conceived the idea of an artif.
eial ship, whish, at the touch of a few
springs, might fall to pieces in deep water.
Such ship was prepared, and stationed at
a suitable point. But the main difficulty
remained, which was to persuade the old
lady to 60 on board. Not that she knew
in this who had been the ship builder. for
that would have ruined all, but il seems that
she took it ill to be haunted in this mur-
derpus spirit, and was out of humor with
her son; besides that any proposal coming
from him, though previously Indifferent to
her, would have instantly been suspected.
To meet this difficulty a sort of reconcilia-
ton was proposed, and very afectionate
message sent, which had the effect of throw-
ing Ageippina off her guard, and seduced
her to Baias for the purpose Of joining the
emperor party at a great banquet held in
commemoration of solemn festival.-She
came by water in sort Of light frigate,
and was to return in the same way. Nero
tampered with the commander of her ves-.
sci, and prevailed upon him to wreck it.
What was to be done! The great lady was
anxious to return to Rome, and no proper
conveyance was at hand. Suddenly it
was suggested, as if by chance that ship
of the emperor's, new and properlyequipped.
was moored at neighboring station. This
was readily accepted by Agrid pima; the
emperos accompanied her to the place Of
embarkation,t took most tender leave of her
and saw her set sail. 1t was necessary
that the vessel should get into deep water
before the experiment eould be made; and
with the utmost agitation this pious son a.
waited news of the result 4
Suddenly messenger rushed breathless
into his presence, and Mortified him by the
joyful information that his august mother
had met with an alarming accident; but,
BY the blessing of Heaven, had escaped safe
and sound, and was now on her road to
mingle NEGOTIATIONS with her affection
ate son. The ship, it seems had done its
office, the mechanism had played admirably,
but who can provide for everything
cid lady, it turned out, could swim like a
duck and the whole result had been to re-
fresh her with little sea bathing. Here
was worshipful Intelligence. Could any
mans temper be expected to stand such con-
tinued sieges? Money and trouble, and in
finite contrivance, wasted upon one old wo-
man, who would not, upon any terms, be
| murdered. Provoking it certainly was, and
Of a man Ike Nero it could not be.expected
| that he should any longer dissemble his di-
gest, or pat up with SUCH repeated affronts.
He rushed upon his simple eongratulating
| friend, and swore that he bad come to mur-
I der him; and as nobody could have suborn-
ed him bat Agrippina, he ordered her off to
\ instant execution. ,a..s .s
| It's singular, and shocking at the same
4 time, to mention that, for this atrocity
] Nero did absolutely..receive solemn eongrat
| ulations from all orders of mon.