Year: 1862

that the upper part Of the vessel had fallen in.
just as any construction on land might have
done considering TOO. the death of AcerFonia,
and casting her eyes on her own wound re
fecting that the only protection against treach-
cry was 20 effect not to see ii, she sent her
freedman, Agerinus. 10 tell her son that by the
blessings of the gods and her own good fortune
she had escaped greiyous accident; she en-
treated him, however alarmed be might be at
his mothers danger to defer the trouble Of
making her visit. In the meantime. assum,
ing an Appearance of being perfectly at ease.
she dressed her wound and used warm applica-
tion 10 her body. She ordered the testament
of Acerronia TO be sought for. and her goods
10 be sealed in this alone there was DO simu-
lation


Nero who was awaiting for the news Of the
completion Ct his crime, received Intelligence
that Agrippina had escaped with no farther
injury than q light blow she had Just been in
danger enough to leave 40 doubt il her mind
who had planned it.


Half dead with terror, and crying out that
bis mother might be expected every moment
eager for revenge; that she would either arm
the slaves or infame the soldiers, or make her
way to the senate and people, and urge against
him the wreck of the vessel, her wound and
the death of her friends what protection had
he against her, if Seneca and Burrus could not
devise something and he Immediately sent
for them 1t is doubtful whether they were
already acquainted with his designs. Both
were silent for some time, either because they
thought it useless to attempt to dissuade Nero.
or they believed that things had come to that
pass, that Nero must perish i: Agrippina was
not removed out Of The way. Seneca at last
so far took the lead as to look to Burrus aud
ask whether the soldiers should receive orders
to kill Agrippua Barrus replied the Prnto-
rians were devoted to all the family of the
Caesars; that they cherished the memory Of
Germanicus, and they would not venture on
any extreme measures against his children ;
Anicetus, he said would perform his promise.
Without any hesitation Anicetus asked 10 be
allowed to complete bis crime. Upon hearing
these words, Nero declared that on that day
the empire was really conferred on him. and TO
a freedman he owed the gift be bade him 20
quick and take the readiest men with him TO
execute bis commands Nero himself, hearing
that Agerinus had come to him with message
from Agrippina, adopted theatrical contri
vance TO make him look Ike a criminal while
Agerinus was delivering lis message, be threw
down a dagger at his feet He then com
mauded him to be put in chains, as if he had
been detected in an assassination, in order that
he might invent false story of his mother
having plotted the destruction Of the Emperor,
and then through shame at her crime being
detected, having committed suicide.


In the meantime the danger of Agrippina
was noised abroad, but only as an accident
and the people, as they heard it, hurried to the
shore. Some got upon the mole, Others into
the nearest boats some waded into the sea as
far as they could and some stretched out their
hands-the whole coast was filed with the
cries, the prayers and the shouts of the people
asking various questions or giving uncertain
answers. \ great multitude crowded thither
with lights, and when it was generally known
that Agrippina was safe. they were dispersed
by the threats of a body of armed men.


Anicetus posted men about Agrppina's
villa, and, bursting open the door, be seized
the slaves, whom be met before be reached the
door OF the chamber A few slaves were
standing there the rest had been frightened
away by the soldiers breaking in. In the
chamber there was a feeble light and single
female slave. Agrppina was evidently grow
ing more and more uneasy that 10 messenger
came from her son ; that even Agerinus did
not return. The face of the shore was now
changed there were solitude and sudden nos
eS and the indications OF some extreme calami-
ty. As her slave was going, Agrippina cried
out, Do you, too, leave me?" and seeing Ami
cetus, accompanied by Hercules, captain Of
u iTlTGilt, duu O4oIldlue, CeuluFldu III tne
feet, she said, " if he had come to see her, be
must tell Nero that she was recovered if he
had come to commit q crime, she would not
believe that her son was privy to it; be would
not command the murder of his mother" The
assassins surrounded the bed, and the command
er of the trierme was the first to strike her on
the head with club. As the centurian was
drawing bis sword to kill her, she presented
her breast and said, Strike here; and she
was despatched with many wounds. So far all
agree. As to Nero coming to see the body of
his mother and praising the beauty of her per
son. there are some authorities that have so
stated and there are some that deny it, She
was burnt the same night, on banquetng
couch, aud with the meanest ceremonial nor,
so long as Nero was in possession of power,
was the earth piled up or covered over.


By the care Of her domestlcs slight tumu-