Year: 1862







( Caius Cornelius Tacitns. a great Roman
historian and one of the most remarkable VIII
tiers of antiquity, is supposed to have been born
in the reign of Nero. The following specimen
of q translation of bis s. Annals will give some
notion of his unequalled consideration Of tho't.
and his power of vigorous narrative in the
fewest words ::


Nero now begins to shuo all private inter
views with bis mother whenever she withdrew
to her gardens or her villa at Tusculum, or the
neighborhood OF Autium, be would commend
her for seeking retirement At last, feeling
her existence a heavy burden on him wherever
she might be, he resolved to put her TO death.
the only matter of deliberation with him being
whether he would get rid of her by poisoa.
By the dagger or some other violent means
His first resolve was to take her off by poison.
But, if poison should be given to her at the
Emperor's table it could not be imputed to
accident, for Britannicus had already perished
by the same means to tamper with the at
tendants Of Agrippina appeared hazardous, for
her experience in crime had made her vigilant
against treachery, and she had fortified herself
against poisons by the habit of taking anti
dotes. If the dagger was employed, nobody
could suggest how tie murder could be con
cealed and Nero feared that, whoever was
selected to commit 50 great crime he might
refuse to obey the Emperor's commands.


Anicetus, a freedman offered the resources of
his invention. lie was the commander Of the
fleet at Misenum, and had been engaged in the
education of Nero, and he aud Agripinna hated
each other. He told Nero that a vessel might
be SO constructed, that part Of 1t could be de-
tached when the vessel was afoat, and Agrip-
pima thrown into the water before she was
aware of t. that nothing gave so many chanc-
es of accident as the sea and if Agrippina
should perish in the wreck who could be so
unreasonable as 10 impute to crime what was
the fault of the winds and the waves When
Agrippina was dead, the emperor could build
a temple and erect affairs to her memory. and
make other demonstrations of flial affection.
The device was approved aud it was favored
by the time, for Agrippina was in the habit of
attending the festival Of the Qlinquatrus at
BaiG. To that place Nero lured bis mother,
often declaring " that sous ought TO bear with
the angry passions OF their parents and try to
pacify them" in order that he might give rise
to reports of a reconciliation, ard that \ Grip
pima might believe It, for women are easily
disposed to credit anything that pleases t4em.
On her arrival he went 10 meet her on the
shore, for she came from Antium he took her
by the hand, embraced her, and conducted her
to Baui That was the name of vile, which
was situated between the promontory Misenum
and the lake of Bai;c, and washed by the
waves of the sea, which there forms kind of
BAY.


Among the rest of the vessels one more
highly ornamented than the others was lying
there as il this was also designed to do honor
sail in trireme and have body of rowers
belonging to the fleet. She was also Invited
to a banquet, that advantage might be taken
of the night to conceal the crime 1t is well
ascertained that some one betrayed the treach-
erous design of Nero and Agrippna being
informed of it, and doubtful whether to give
credit to it or not was carried to BaiR in q
litter The establishments OF her son removed
her fears She was kindly received, and had
place for her at the table assigned to her
above Nero. Sometimes adopting the ordina-
~ familiarity of youth, and then assuming d
more serious air, as if his purpose was to
mngle business and pleasure, Nero prolonged
the entertainment by varied conversation and
when Agrippina rose to go away, he accom-
panied her to the sea shore, keeping his eyes
steadily fixed upon her, and pressing her to his
bosom, either to fill up the measure of his sim
ulation, or may be that the last sight of
mother who was going to her death absorbed
all the thoughts of his mind, brutal though be
was


The gods had given a starlight night, and q
Tranquil sea, as if 10 furnish evidence of the
crime. The ship had not advanced far, with
two Of the intimate friends Of Agrippina who
accompanied her, Crepereius Gallus, who was
standing not far from the helm, and Acerronia,
who was lying at the feet Of her mistress, and
joyfuy speaking of the change in Nero's tenn
per, and his reconciliation with his mother,
when on a signal being given, the roof of the
place, which was loaded with lead, tumbled
down, and Crepercius was Immediately crushed
to death. Agrippina and Acerronia were pro-
tected by the sides of the chamber, which hap
pened to be strong enough to resist the weight
nor did the vessel fall in pieces. for most of the
men on board were in state of alarm and
those who were unacquainted with the design
and they were the greater part-impeded the
movement of those who were privy 10 It. The
rovers advised that the vessel should be