385 



poison was still lo be considered : if quick and sudden in its ope- 

 ration, the treachery would be manifest. A slow corrosive would 

 bring on a lingering death. In that case, the danger was, that 

 the conspiracy might, in the interval, be detected; or, in the weak- 

 ness and decay of nature, the affections of a father might return, 

 and plead in favour of Britannicus. She resolved to try a com- 

 pound of new and exquisite ingredients, such as would make 

 directly to the brain*, yet not bring on an immediate dissolution. 

 A person of well known skill in the trade of poisoning was chosen 

 for the business. This was the famous Locusta; a woman lately 

 condemned as a dealer in clandestine practices, bnt reserved among 

 the instruments of state to serve the purposes of dark ambition. 

 By this tool of iniquity the mixture was prepared. The hand 

 to administer it was that of Halotus, the eunuch, whose business 

 it was to serve the emperor's table, and taste the viands for his 

 master." Claudius swallowed the poison in a savoury dish of 

 mushrooms; and was shortly afterwards seized with sickness. 

 Zenophon, the physician, corrupted by Agrippina, searched the 

 emperor's throat by means of a feather tinged with the most 

 subtle poison; thus accelerating the wishes of his cruel empress, 

 and preventing a lingering stale of imbecility and wrelchedr 



ness. ' ;..,;.'': 



Such are the ancient and modern effects of poison, equally 

 well attested. A choice of them was in agitation against me, 

 among the Gracias, for having protected, the helpless villages 

 intrusted to my care, from their cruel depredations. My author 

 rity for this assertion was not derived from .common report; Mr. 



VOL. III. 3 d 



