Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1895-10-23

with loose hair flying about their heads
rushed to the Tiber, torch in hand.
The burning torch still famed on COM
ing out of the water, symbol of the
universal life of the Bacchanals. The
result of the operations of this terrible
society is we'll known. Rome, prey
to terror for more .thsn-a month, with
guards patroling the city to prevent its
being set on fire and watching the gates
to arrest all fugitiyes, the tribunals
closed, and all public affairs inter-
rupted. Half the offenders perished
under the axe, and the women, given
up to domestic justice, were strangled
upon their hearths. The inquiry ex-
tended throughout Italy, and among
the various punishments two thousand
poisoners-of both sexes-were cen
demned to death. 1t was found that
in one year 40 women had poisoned
their husbands to make room for
Others
About three hundred years ago an
old woman of iniquitous celebrity
named Tofania-invented a famous
liquid. which was called in her honor
aqua tofana. She confessed she had
used the liquid in poisoning six hun
dred persons, and not only was she
careful in its preparation. but also in
its administration. She observed
that giving the water of divorce" in
minute doses instead of goodly
draught produced. instead of violent
and therefore suspicious and sudden
death, lingering illness, causing the
victim to complain of langour. nausea
and Indigestion, while he gradually
declined in health. The old bag found
young wives her most eager customers.
The aqua tofano was only discovered
by the curious fact that SO many mar
ried men died, anG the epidemic was
Investigated after the arrest of fifty
or more suspected widows.
It is unnecessary to repeat the crimes
of the famous Borgias and Medicis,
who. with their courtly followers, got
rid of friends and enemies by poisoned
rings, poisoned gifts. poisoned foods,
flowers and perfumes. Their knowl-
edge of drugs was exhaustive, and their
crimes by means of them subtle and
numerous Catherine de Medici car
ried her accomplishments in this art to
France wien she became the Queen of
Henri IL. She introduced host of
Italian hairdressers and officers of the
toilet, astrologers, fortune-tellers and
faithful attendants. One Florentine
perfumer was instituted in shop on
the Pont au Change, where he kept the
latest novelties in scents, drugs and
poisons. As every garment was per-
fumed and tiny cavities made in rings
and necklaces to contain sweet powders
and spices, it was easy to convey
poisons in delicate mixture. A little
poisoned perfume mingled in the snuff
box or sprinkled upon handkerchief,
fan or any article of clothing was a
certain way of disposing of undesired
lives. By the gift of poisoned gloves
she murdered Jeanne d'Albret, the
mother of Henri w.
But the French had not needed any
instruction, for in the fourteeth CEN
fury we find inquiries were made about
the number of people who languished
(les languiers). The fear of poisoning
was universal. Princes, lords and
dukes compelled their maitres d'hotel
to test every dish, and in many houses
a cup made of rhinoceros-horn, said to
be of unicorn, detected the presence
of poison by changing its color, just as
the Venetia glass shattered when dead
ly poisoned wine was poured into its
delicate texture.
Unbridled RIGHTEOUSNESS and avarice
produced the horrible poisons, which
in 1676-1680 struck terror in the
French court and filled all Europe
with horror. Chief of all was Madam
de Brinvilliers who poisoned father,
husband. child and brothers, besides
many other persons. She used to make
pigeon-pies containing deadly drugs,
made experiments with poisoned goose
berries and ham upon her maid, Fran
coise Roussel. Horrible mysteries were
revealed when st. Croix, her accom-
plice. met his death by the dropping off
of hisiglass-mask when he was mixing
some poisons. the fumes of which
meant instant death when inhaled. A
casket was found in his possession con-
tanning many horrible drugs and
papers, which confirmed the guilt of
Madame de Brinvilliers. She confessed
all of her crimes, said she had attempted
her sisters life, and tried ten times to
murder her father. During his illness,
caused by her poison, she watched by
his bedside, smoothed his pillows.
tended him with apparent dutiful care.
and fed him with delicacies favored
with her subtle powders. Her gay
manner at her trial was the source of
much comment. Never" says Ma
dame de Sevigne, "were so many crimes
punished with such levity. This
female monster was merely beheaded;
her body was burned and her ashes
scattered to the winds. She was
spared the torture both ordinary and