Female Quackery.-(From an Irish Paper.)A Coroner's inquest was held on Thursday, at Skinner's-alley, by Leonard M'Nally, Esq., on the body of a well-conducted female, of the name of Esther Hanlon, who, it was supposed, had died by the administration of poison. The following circumstances appeared in evidence:-That she had been for many months in a feeble and declining state, owing to a complaint in her stomach; that at chapel, a few days ago, she met with a female doctress, who proffered to cure her, for a small sum, to which she assented; that witness attended her to the doctress, who appointed to meet her in Montagu-street, where she administered some green leaves, infused in a glass of spirits, (of which preparation she kept a bottle in her pocket,) with an injunction to attend daily for nine days, at the same place, to repeat the dose; that witness attended with her on the second morning, when she complained to the doctress that she apprehended the medicine was too strong, as it had affected her violently, and caused much retching to vomit; that the doctress, nevertheless, administered a second dose, which again produced the same effects, and increased her weakness to such a degree, as to make it indispensable to take a car to convey her to her lodgings, and as soon as she attained her room, she died without a struggle. Dr. Bible was called in, and gave the following testimony on oath: Having examined the body of Esther Hanlon, inquired into the circumstances connected

with her death, and heard the evidence, I am of opinion, that she did not die, as supposed, by the use of any acute or narcotic poison; but that, in a state of extreme debility, she died by the injudicious administration of an over-dose of medicine, disproportioned to her weakness."

Venezuela.-Captain Brown, late of the Venezuelan Brigade of Light Artillery, has published an account of the expedition which sailed from England in 1817, to assist the Independents in the war against Morillo. The book is written in a desultory style, but it contains important information respecting the leaders of the Independents, and the severe disappointments and privations which fall to the lot of the British auxiliaries. Suffering from ill health, and disgusted with the treatment he had received, the author solicited his discharge, and a passport for the island of St. Thomas, which having with difficulty obtained, he returned to England in June last. We extract part of his account of the passage up the Oronoco, in which some interesting occurrences are detailed, and facts are stated, which leave no doubt of the wretched state of the country, and of the difficulties the hostile parties, but particularly the foreign enemy, must experience in drawing from it any resources for the prosecution of the contest:

"Our remaining small stock of bread and rum was on board the large boat, which we called the

head-quarters; and it was agreed that we should halt at stated periods, in order to take our frugal meals. Our portion of beef, which had been killed before distribution, we had on board our own boat; it was cut into long pieces about three pounds weight and a yard long, according to the 'custom of the Indians. Thus prepared, it is hung up in different parts of the boat exposed to the sun, where it shortly putrifies, and in a few days becomes quite dry. Salt was an article at that time too valuable and scarce to be given to us. The first day we kept up with the larger boats, being favoured with a smart breeze, and went alongside the head-quarters to dinner, where we received a biscuit each, which was all we could expect until the next day; we were likewise advised to be careful, as there was remaining only sufficient for three days, and to make it last that time would require great economy. The soldiers received their whole allowance at the rate of a biscuit and a half per day, with a fair division of rum. In the same boat with me was an officer of Col. P-'s, who had the charge of the baggage of that corps, with a small detachment of men: his company was a source of great consolation during a voyage of unprecedented suffering up that tremendous river; for from the time of our embarking on board the gun-boats do I date the commencement of our hardships, which have occasioned the death of many, and considerably impaired my constitution. Unfortunately for us, the wind began to die

away, and the other boats, from having a greater number of sweepers,* were now considerably before us, and towards evening we entirely lost sight of them; as we knew that they must halt during the night in case they had no wind, we hoped to come up with them by continuing to row to a late hour. Our efforts were unavailing; for they had got so far a-head since the wind fell, that there was now no hope of coming up with them. Our situation during the night was very unpleasant; for, it being impossible to bring up the boat in the rapidity of the stream, we were obliged to run her in among the trees and make her fast to them, while the rowers took their repose. For us to sleep was impossible, as we were pestered with millions of musquitoes, that prevented our opening either eyes or mouth, and stung us so severely through our apparel, that we were almost maddened with torture. The Indians were greatly amused to observe the decided preference manifested by these venomous insects to Europeans and new-comers: but our distress was considerably increased, when the tigers and alligators gave us notice that they were at no great distance from us; the former animals roaring in the most dreadful manner in the woods,

* A name given to the Indians, who, with a small paddle about four feet long, propel the boat. They hold this paddle perpendicularly in their hands, immersing it constantly in the water, on which it acts as an oar.

and the latter blowing and splashing round our boat, which was not higher than ten inches above the surface of the water. This was a situation so novel to all of us, that it excited in us the greatest apprehensions for our safety. The tiger of South America is rather small, but, if possible, more ferocious than the royal tiger; and if prompted by long fasting, will frequently attack the alligator when it meets it on shore, and the only means the latter has of escaping, is by making a precipitate retreat to its watery abode with its antagonist, who having once fastened on its throat or belly, (the only penetrable place), will not let go its hold. Thus the tiger in turn becomes the prey of this terrible amphibious animal, who after a short struggle drowns him. The Indians, when alone in their canoes, are very much on their guard against the alligator, who will frequently attack a boat, on observing a probable advantage; and in order to secure its victim, will raise itself cautiously out of the water and place its fore feet on the canoe, which is instantly overset, and the poor Indian quickly meets a most horrible death in the voracious jaws that are open to receive him.

"It may be supposed we could not pass a very agreeable night, from our momentary dread of being sprung upon by a tiger from the bank, or taken out of the boat on the other side by an alligator. Never was a reprieve more welcome to a poor wretch at the gallows, than the return of day to us; although we had the gloomy prospect