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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Trial of Mary Blandy, Edited by William
+Roughead
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Trial of Mary Blandy
+
+Editor: William Roughead
+
+Release Date: June 16, 2004  [eBook #12640]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRIAL OF MARY BLANDY***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Beth Trapaga and the Project Gutenberg Online
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+
+TRIAL OF MARY BLANDY
+
+Edited By
+
+WILLIAM ROUGHEAD
+
+Author of "Twelve Scots Trials," "The Riddle of the Ruthvens,"
+"Glengarry's Way," &c.
+
+ILLUSTRATED
+
+1914
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Miss Blandy in her cell in Oxford Castle.
+(_From an unpublished Sepia Drawing in the Collection of Mr. Horace
+Bleackley_.)]
+
+
+
+TO LORD DUNSANY
+
+THIS RECORD OF GRIM REALITY
+IN EXCHANGE FOR
+HIS BEAUTIFUL DREAMS
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+In undertaking to prepare an account of this celebrated trial, the
+Editor at the outset fondly trusted that the conviction of "the
+unfortunate Miss Blandy" might, upon due inquiry, be found to have
+been, as the phrase is, a miscarriage of justice. To the entertainment
+of this chivalrous if unlively hope he was moved as well by the youth,
+the sex, and the traditional charms of that lady, as by the doubts
+expressed by divers wiseacres concerning her guilt; but a more intimate
+knowledge of the facts upon which the adverse verdict rested, speedily
+disposed of his inconfident expectation.
+
+Though the evidence sheds but a partial light upon the hidden springs
+of the dark business in which she was engaged, and much that should be
+known in order perfectly to appreciate her symbolic value remains
+obscure, we can rest assured that Mary Blandy, whatever she may have
+been, was no victim of judicial error. We watch, perforce, the tragedy
+from the front; never, despite the excellence of the official "book,"
+do we get a glimpse of what is going on behind the scenes, nor see
+beneath the immobile and formal mask, the living face; but, when the
+spectacle of _The Fair Parricide_ is over, we at least are satisfied
+that justice, legal and poetic, has been done.
+
+Few cases in our criminal annals have occasioned a literature so
+extensive. The bibliography, compiled by Mr. Horace Bleackley in
+connection with his striking study, "The Love Philtre" (_Some
+Distinguished Victims of the Scaffold_, London, 1905),--which, by his
+courteous permission, is reprinted in the Appendix, enumerates no fewer
+than thirty contemporary tracts, while the references to the case by
+later writers would of themselves form a considerable list.
+
+To this substantial cairn a further stone or two are here contributed.
+There will be found in the Appendix copies of original MSS. in the
+British Museum and the Public Record Office, not hitherto published,
+relating to the case. These comprise the correspondence of Lord
+Chancellor Hardwicke, Mr. Secretary Newcastle, the Solicitor to the
+Treasury, and other Government officials, regarding the conduct of the
+prosecution and the steps taken for the apprehension of Miss Blandy's
+accomplice, the Hon. William Henry Cranstoun; a petition of "The
+Noblemen and Gentlemen in the Neighbourhood of Henley-upon-Thames" as
+to the issuing of a proclamation for his arrest, with the opinion
+thereon of the Attorney-General, Sir Dudley Ryder; and the deposition
+of the person by whose means Cranstoun's flight from justice was
+successfully effected. This deposition is important as disclosing the
+true story of his escape, of which the published accounts are, as
+appears, erroneous. Among other matter now printed for the first time
+may be mentioned a letter from the War Office to the Paymaster-General,
+directing Cranstoun's name to be struck off the half-pay list; and a
+letter from John Riddell, the Scots genealogist, to James Maidment,
+giving some account of the descendants of Cranstoun. For permission to
+publish these documents the Editor is indebted to the courtesy of Mr.
+A.M. Broadley and Mr. John A. Fairley, the respective owners.
+
+The iconography of Mary Blandy has been made a feature of the present
+volume, all the portraits of her known to the Editor being reproduced.
+A description of the curious satirical print, "The Scotch Triumvirate,"
+will be found in the Appendix.
+
+Of special interest is the facsimile of Miss Blandy's last letter to
+Captain Cranstoun, of which the interception, like that of Mrs.
+Maybrick's letter to Brierley, was fraught with such fateful
+consequences. The photograph is taken from the original letter in the
+Record Office, where the papers connected with the memorable Assizes in
+question have but recently been lodged.
+
+For the account of the case contained in the Introduction, the Editor
+has read practically all the contemporaneous pamphlets--a tedious and
+often fruitless task--and has consulted such other sources of
+information as are now available. He has, however, thought well
+(esteeming the comfort of his readers above his own reputation for
+research) to present the product as a plain narrative, unencumbered by
+the frequent footnotes which citation of so many authorities would
+otherwise require--the rather that any references not furnished by the
+bibliography are sufficiently indicated in the text.
+
+Finally, the Editor would express his gratitude to Mr. Horace Bleackley
+and Mr. A.M. Broadley for their kindness in affording him access to
+their collections of _Blandyana_, including rarities (to quote an old
+title-page) "nowhere to be found but in the Closets of the Curious,"
+greatly to the lightening of his labours and the enrichment of the
+result.
+
+W.R.
+
+8 OXFORD TERRACE,
+EDINBURGH, April, 1914.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+Introduction
+
+Table of Dates
+
+The Trial--
+    TUESDAY, 3RD MARCH, 1752.
+
+The Indictment
+
+Opening Speeches for the Prosecution.
+    Hon. Mr. Bathurst
+    Mr. Serjeant Hayward
+
+Evidence for the Prosecution.
+     1. Dr. Addington
+     2. Dr. Lewis
+     3. Dr. Addington (recalled)
+     4. Benjamin Norton
+     5. Mrs. Mary Mounteney
+     6. Susannah Gunnell
+     7. Elizabeth Binfield
+     8. Dr. Addington (recalled)
+     9. Alice Emmet
+    10. Robert Littleton
+    11. Robert Harmon
+    12. Richard Fisher
+    13. Mrs. Lane
+    14. Mr. Lane
+
+The Prisoner's Defence
+
+Evidence for the Defence.
+     1. Ann James
+     2. Elizabeth Binfield (recalled)
+     3. Mary Banks
+     4. Edward Herne
+     5. Thomas Cawley
+     6. Thomas Staverton
+     7. Mary Davis
+     8. Robert Stoke
+
+Motion by Mr. Ford to call another witness refused
+
+Hon. Mr. Bathurst's Closing Speech for the Prosecution
+
+Statement by the Prisoner
+
+Mr. Baron Legge's Charge to the Jury
+
+The Verdict
+
+The Sentence
+
+
+
+
+APPENDICES.
+
+   I. Proceedings before the Coroner relative to the Death of Mr.
+Francis Blandy
+
+  II. Copies of Original Letters in the British Museum and Public
+Record Office, relating to the Case of Mary Blandy
+
+ III. A Letter from a Clergyman to Miss Mary Blandy, now a prisoner
+in Oxford Castle, with her Answer thereto; as also Miss Blandy's own
+narrative of the crime for which she is condemned to die
+
+  IV. Miss Mary Blandy's own account of the affair between her and
+Mr. Cranstoun, from the commencement of their acquaintance in the
+year 1746 to the death of her father in August, 1751, with all
+the circumstances leading to that unhappy event
+
+   V. Letter from Miss Blandy to a Clergyman in Henley
+
+  VI. Contemporary Advertisement of a Love Philtre
+
+ VII. Contemporary Account of the Execution of Mary Blandy
+
+VIII. Letter from the War Office to the Paymaster-General, striking
+Cranstoun's name off the Half-Pay List
+
+  IX. The Confessions of Cranstoun--
+      1. Cranstoun's own version of the facts
+      2. Captain Cranstoun's account of the Poisoning of the late
+         Mr. Francis Blandy
+
+   X. Extract from a Letter from Dunkirk anent the death of
+Cranstoun
+
+  XI. Letter from John Biddell, the Scots genealogist, to James
+Maidment, regarding the descendants of Cranstoun
+
+ XII. Bibliography of the Blandy Case
+
+XIII. Description of the satirical print "The Scotch Triumvirate"
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+Miss Blandy in her Cell in Oxford Castle               Frontispiece
+  _From an unpublished Sepia Drawing in the Collection of Mr. Horace
+  Bleackley._
+
+Facsimile of the Intercepted Letter to Cranstoun written by Mary Blandy
+  _From the original MS. in the Public Record Office._
+
+Miss Blandy
+  _From a Mezzotint by T. Ryley, after L. Wilson, in the Collection
+  of Mr. A.M. Broadley._
+
+Miss Mary Blandy in Oxford Castle Gaol
+  _From an Engraving in the British Museum._
+
+Captain Cranstoun and Miss Blandy
+  _From an Engraving in the British Museum._
+
+Miss Mary Blandy
+  _From an Engraving by B. Cole, after a Drawing for which she sat in
+  Oxford Castle._
+
+Miss Molly Blandy, taken from the life in Oxford Castle
+  _From an Engraving in the Collection of Mr. A.M. Broadley._
+
+Miss Mary Blandy, with scene of her Execution
+  _From an Engraving by B. Cole, after an original Painting._
+
+Captain William Henry Cranstoun, with his pompous funeral procession
+in Flanders
+  _From an Engraving by B. Cole._
+
+The Scotch Triumvirate
+  _From a satirical Print in the Collection of Mr. Horace Bleackley._
+
+
+
+
+MARY BLANDY.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+In the earlier half of the eighteenth century there lived in the
+pleasant town of Henley-upon-Thames, in Oxfordshire, one Francis
+Blandy, gentleman, attorney-at-law. His wife, nee Mary Stevens,
+sister to Mr. Serjeant Stevens of Culham Court, Henley, and of
+Doctors' Commons, a lady described as "an emblem of chastity and
+virtue; graceful in person, in mind elevated," had, it was thought,
+transmitted these amiable qualities to the only child of the
+marriage, a daughter Mary, baptised in the parish church of Henley
+on 15th July, 1720. Mr. Blandy, as a man of old family and a busy
+and prosperous practitioner, had become a person of some importance
+in the county. His professional skill was much appreciated by a
+large circle of clients, he acted as steward for most of the
+neighbouring gentry, and he had held efficiently for many years the
+office of town-clerk.
+
+But above the public respect which his performance of these varied
+duties had secured him, Mr. Blandy prized his reputation as a man of
+wealth. The legend had grown with his practice and kept pace with
+his social advancement. The Blandys' door was open to all; their
+table, "whether filled with company or not, was every day
+plenteously supplied"; and a profuse if somewhat ostentatious
+hospitality was the "note" of the house, a comfortable mansion on
+the London road, close to Henley Bridge. Burn, in his _History of
+Henley_, describes it as "an old-fashioned house near the White
+Hart, represented in the view of the town facing the title-page" of
+his volume, and "now [1861] rebuilt." The White Hart still survives
+in Hart Street, with its courtyard and gallery, where of yore the
+town's folk were wont to watch the bear-baiting; one of those fine
+old country inns which one naturally associates with Pickwickian
+adventure.
+
+In such surroundings the little Mary, idolised by her parents and
+spoiled by their disinterested guests, passed her girlhood. She is
+said to have been a clever, intelligent child, and of ways so
+winning as to "rapture" all with whom she came in contact. She was
+educated at home by her mother, who "instructed her in the
+principles of religion and piety, according to the rites and
+ceremonies of the Church of England." To what extent she benefited
+by the good dame's teaching will appear later, but at any rate she
+was fond of reading--a taste sufficiently remarkable in a girl of
+her day. At fourteen, we learn, she was mistress of those
+accomplishments which others of like station and opportunities
+rarely achieve until they are twenty, "if at all"; but her
+biographers, while exhausting their superlatives on her moral
+beauties, are significantly silent regarding her physical
+attractions. Like many a contemporary "toast," she had suffered the
+indignity of the smallpox; yet her figure was fine, and her
+brilliant black eyes and abundant hair redeemed a face otherwise
+rather ordinary. When to such mental gifts and charm of manner was
+added the prospect of a dower of ten thousand pounds--such was the
+figure at which public opinion put it, and her father did not deny
+that gossip for once spoke true--little wonder that Mary was
+considered a "catch" as well by the "smarts" of the place as by the
+military gentlemen who at that time were the high ornaments of
+Henley society.
+
+Mr. Blandy, business-like in all things, wanted full value for his
+money; as none of Mary's local conquests appeared to promise him an
+adequate return, he reluctantly quitted the pen and, with his wife
+and daughter, spent a season at Bath, then the great market-place of
+matrimonial bargains. "As for Bath," Thackeray writes of this
+period, "all history went and bathed and drank there. George II. and
+his Queen, Prince Frederick and his Court, scarce a character one
+can mention of the early last century but was seen in that famous
+Pump Room, where Beau Nash presided, and his picture hung between
+the busts of Newton and Pope." Here was famous company indeed for an
+ambitious little country attorney to rub shoulders with in his hunt
+for a son-in-law. It is claimed for Miss Blandy by one of her
+biographers that her vivacity, wit, and good nature were such as to
+win for her an immediate social success; and she entered into all
+the gaieties of the season with a heart unburdened by the "business"
+which her father sought to combine with pleasures so expensive. She
+is even said to have had the honour of dancing with the Prince of
+Wales. Meanwhile, the old gentleman, appearing "genteel in dress"
+and keeping a plentiful table, lay in wait for such eligible
+visitors as should enter his parlour.
+
+The first to do so with matrimonial intent was a thriving young
+apothecary, but Mr. Blandy quickly made it plain that Mary and her
+L10,000 were not to be had by any drug-compounding knave who might
+make sheep's eyes at her, and the apothecary returned to his
+gallipots for healing of his bruised affections. His place was taken
+by Mr. H----, a gentleman grateful to the young lady and personally
+desirable, but of means too limited to satisfy her parents' views, a
+fact conveyed by them to the wooer "in a friendly and elegant
+manner," which must have gone far to assuage his disappointment. The
+next suitor for "this blooming virgin," as her biographer names her,
+had the recommendation of being a soldier. Mr. T----, too, found
+favour with the damsel. His fine address was much appreciated by her
+mamma, who, being a devotee of fashion, heartily espoused his cause;
+but again the course of true love was barred by the question of
+settlements as broached by the old lawyer, and the man of war
+"retired with some resentment." There was, however, no lack of
+candidates for Mary's hand and dower. Captain D---- at once stepped
+into the breach and gallantly laid siege to the fair fortress. At
+last, it seemed Cupid's troublesome business was done; the captain's
+suit was agreeable to all parties, and the couple became engaged.
+Mary's walks with her lover in the fields of Henley gave her, we
+read, such exquisite delight that she frequently thought herself in
+heaven. But, alas, the stern summons of duty broke in upon her
+temporary Eden: the captain was ordered abroad with his regiment on
+active service, and the unlucky girl could but sit at home with her
+parents and patiently abide the issue.
+
+Among Mr. Blandy's grand acquaintances was General Lord Mark Kerr,
+uncle of Lady Jane Douglas, the famous heroine of the great Douglas
+Cause. His lordship had taken at Henley a place named "The
+Paradise," probably through the agency of the obsequious attorney,
+whose family appear to have had the _entree_ to that patrician
+abode. Dining with her parents at Lord Mark's house in the summer of
+1746, Mary Blandy encountered her fate. That fate from the first
+bore but a sinister aspect. Among the guests was one Captain the
+Hon. William Henry Cranstoun, a soldier and a Scot, whose
+appearance, according to a diurnal writer, was unprepossessing. "In
+his person he is remarkably ordinary, his stature is low, his face
+freckled and pitted with the smallpox, his eyes small and weak, his
+eyebrows sandy, and his shape no ways genteel; his legs are clumsy,
+and he has nothing in the least elegant in his manner." The moral
+attributes of this ugly little fellow were only less attractive than
+his physical imperfections. "He has a turn for gallantry, but Nature
+has denied him the proper gifts; he is fond of play, but his cunning
+always renders him suspected." He was at this time thirty-two years
+of age, and, as the phrase goes, a man of pleasure, but his militant
+prowess had hitherto been more conspicuous in the courts of Venus
+than in the field of Mars. The man was typical of his day and
+generation: should you desire his closer acquaintance you will find
+a lively sketch of him in _Joseph Andrews_, under the name of Beau
+Didapper.
+
+If Mary was the Eve of this Henley "Paradise," the captain clearly
+possessed many characteristics of the serpent. As First-Lieutenant
+of Sir Andrew Agnew's regiment of marines, he had been "out"--on the
+wrong side, for a Scot--in the '45, and the butcher Cumberland
+having finally killed the cause at Culloden on 16th April, this
+warrior was now in Henley beating up recruits to fill the vacancies
+in the Hanoverian lines caused by the valour of the "rebels." Such a
+figure was a commonplace of the time, and Mr. Blandy would not have
+looked twice at him but for the fact that it appeared Lord Mark was
+his grand-uncle. The old lawyer, following up this aristocratic
+scent, found to his surprise and joy that the little lieutenant,
+with his courtesy style of captain, was no less a person than the
+fifth son of a Scots peer, William, fifth Lord Cranstoun, and his
+wife, Lady Jane Kerr, eldest daughter of William, second Marquis of
+Lothian. True, he learned the noble union had been blessed with
+seven sons and five daughters; my Lord Cranstoun had died in 1727,
+and his eldest son, James, reigned in his stead. The captain, a very
+much "younger" son, probably had little more than his pay and a fine
+assortment of debts; still, one cannot have everything. The rights
+of absent Captain D---- were forgotten, now that there was a chance
+to marry his daughter to a man who called the daughter of an Earl
+grandmother, and could claim kinship with half the aristocracy of
+Scotland; and Mr. Blandy frowned as he called to mind the
+presumption of the Bath apothecary.
+
+How far matters went at this time we do not know, for Cranstoun left
+Henley in the autumn and did not revisit "The Paradise" till the
+following summer. Meanwhile Captain D---- returned from abroad, but
+unaccountably failed to communicate with the girl he had the year
+before so reluctantly left behind him. Mary's uncles, "desirous of
+renewing a courtship which they thought would turn much to the
+honour and benefit of their niece," intervened; but Captain D----,
+though "polite and candid," declined to renew his pretensions, and
+the affair fell through. Whether or not he had heard anything of the
+Cranstoun business does not appear.
+
+According to Miss Blandy's _Own Account_, it was not until their
+second meeting at Lord Mark Kerr's in the summer of 1747 that the
+patrician but unattractive Cranstoun declared his passion. She also
+states that in doing so he referred to an illicit entanglement with
+a Scottish lady, falsely claiming to be his wedded wife, and that
+she (Mary) accepted him provisionally, "till the invalidity of the
+pretended marriage appeared to the whole world." But here, as we
+shall presently see, the fair authoress rather antedates the fact.
+Next day Cranstoun, formally proposing to the old folks for their
+daughter's hand, was received by them literally with open arms,
+henceforth to be treated as a son; and when, after a six weeks'
+visit to Bath in company with his gouty kinsman, the captain
+returned to Henley, it was as the guest of his future father-in-law,
+of whose "pious fraud" in the matter of the L10,000 dowry; despite
+his shrewdness, he was unaware. Though the sycophantic attorney
+would probably as lief have housed a monkey of lineage so
+distinguished, old Mrs. Blandy seems really to have adored the foxy
+little captain for his _beaux yeux_. Doubtless he fooled the dame to
+the top of her bent. For a time things went pleasantly enough in the
+old house by the bridge. The town-clerk boasted of his noble quarry,
+the mother enjoyed for the first time the company and conversation
+of a man of fashion, and Mary renewed amid the Henley meadows those
+paradisiacal experiences which formerly she had shared with
+faithless Captain D----. But once more her happiness received an
+unexpected check. Lord Mark Kerr, a soldier and a gentleman,
+becoming aware of the footing upon which his graceless grand-nephew
+was enjoying the Blandys' hospitality, wrote to the attorney the
+amazing news that his daughter's lover already had a wife and child
+living in Scotland.
+
+The facts, so far as we know them, were these. On 22nd May, 1744,
+William Henry Cranstoun was privately married at Edinburgh to Anne,
+daughter of David Murray, merchant in Leith, a son of the late Sir
+David Murray of Stanhope, Baronet. As the lady and her family were
+Jacobite and Roman Catholic, the fact of the marriage was not
+published at the time for fear of prejudicing the gallant
+bridegroom's chances of promotion. The couple lived together "in a
+private manner" for some months, and in November the bride returned
+to her family, while the captain went to London to resume his
+regimental duties. They corresponded regularly by letter. Cranstoun
+wrote to his own and the lady's relatives, acknowledging that she
+had been his wife since May, but insisting that the marriage should
+still be kept secret; and on learning that he was likely to become a
+father, he communicated this fact to my Lord, his brother. Lady
+Cranstoun invited her daughter-in-law to Nether Crailing, the family
+seat in Roxburghshire, there to await the interesting event, but the
+young wife, fearing that Presbyterian influences would be brought to
+bear upon her, unfortunately declined, which gave offence to Lady
+Cranstoun and aroused some suspicion regarding the fact of the
+marriage. At Edinburgh, on 19th February, 1745, Mrs. Cranstoun gave
+birth to a daughter, who was baptised by a minister of the kirk in
+Newbattle, according to one account, in presence of members of both
+parents' families; and, by the father's request, one of his brothers
+held her during the ceremony. In view of these facts it must have
+required no common effrontery on the part of Cranstoun to disown his
+wife and child, as he did in the following year. The country being
+then in the throes of the last Jacobite rising, and his wife's
+family having cast in their lot with Prince Charlie, our gallant
+captain perceived in these circumstances a unique opportunity for
+ridding himself of his marital ties. The lady was a niece of John
+Murray of Broughton, the Prince's secretary who served the cause so
+ill; her brother, the reigning baronet, was taken prisoner at
+Culloden, tried at Carlisle, and sentenced to death, but owing to
+his youth, was reprieved and transported instead; so Cranstoun
+thought the course comparatively clear. His position was that Miss
+Murray had been his mistress, and that although he had promised to
+marry her if she would change her religion for his own purer
+Presbyterian faith, and as the lady refused to do so, he was
+entirely freed from his engagement. With cynical impudence he
+explained his previous admission of the marriage as due to a desire
+to "amuse" her relatives and save her honour. In October, 1746, his
+wife, by the advice of her friends and in accordance with Scots
+practice, raised in the Commissary Court at Edinburgh an action of
+declarator of marriage against her perfidious spouse, and the case
+was still pending before the Commissaries when Lord Mark Kerr, as we
+have seen, "gave away" his grand-nephew to the Blandys.
+
+The old attorney was justly incensed at the unworthy trick of which
+he had been the victim. He had designed, indeed, on his own account,
+a little surprise for his son-in-law in the matter of the mythical
+dower, but that was another matter; so, in all the majesty of
+outraged fatherhood, he sought an interview with his treacherous
+guest. That gentleman, whose acquaintance with "tight corners" was,
+doubtless, like Mr. Waller's knowledge of London, extensive and
+peculiar, rose gallantly to the occasion. A firm believer in the
+L10,000 _dot_, he could not, of course, fully appreciate the moral
+beauty of Mr. Blandy's insistence on the unprofitableness of deceit;
+but, taxed with being a married man, "As I have a soul to be saved,"
+swore he, "I am not, nor ever was!" The lady had wilfully
+misrepresented their equivocal relations, and the proceedings in the
+Scottish Courts meant, vulgarly, blackmail. Both families knew the
+true facts, and Lord Mark's interference was the result of an old
+quarrel between them, long since by him buried in oblivion, but on
+account of which his lordship, as appeared, still bore him a grudge.
+The action would certainly be decided in his favour, when nothing
+more would be heard of Miss Murray and her fraudulent claims. The
+affair was, no doubt, annoying, but such incidents were not viewed
+too seriously by people of fashion--here the captain would
+delicately take a pinch, and offer his snuff-box (with the Cranstoun
+arms: _gules_, three cranes _argent_) to the baffled attorney.
+
+On the receipt of Lord Mark's letter, Mrs. Blandy, womanlike,
+believed the worst: "her poor Polly was ruined." But her sympathies
+were so far enlisted on behalf of the fascinating intended that she
+eagerly clutched at any explanation, however lame, which would put
+things upon the old footing. She proved a powerful advocate; and, in
+the end, Mr. Blandy, accepting his guest's word, allowed the
+engagement to continue in the meantime, until the result of the
+legal proceedings should be known. He was as loath to forego the
+chance of such an aristocratic connection as was his wife to part
+from so "genteel" a friend; while Mary Blandy--well, the damsels of
+her day were not morbidly nice in such matters, more than once had
+the nuptial cup eluded her expectant lips, _enfin_, she was nearing
+her thirtieth year: such an opportunity, as Mr. Bunthorne has it,
+might not occur again. With the proverbial blindness of those
+unwilling to see, the old man did nothing further in regard to Lord
+Mark Kerr's communication; that nobleman, annoyed at the
+indifference with which his well-meant warning had been received,
+forbade his kinsman the house, and the Blandys were thus deprived of
+their only means of knowledge as to the doings of their ambiguous
+guest.
+
+For the movements of that gentleman from this time until the first
+"date" in the case, August, 1750, we must rely mainly upon the
+narrative given by his fair fiancee in her _Own Account_, and,
+unfortunately, after the manner of her sex, she is somewhat careless
+of dates. This first visit of Cranstoun lasted "five or six
+months"--from the autumn of 1747 till the spring of 1748--when he
+went to London on the footing that Mary, with her father's
+permission, should "stay for him" till the "unhappy affair" with his
+_soi-disant_ spouse was legally determined. Pending this desired
+result, the lovers maintained a vigorous correspondence.
+
+Sometime after his departure, Mrs. Blandy and her daughter went on a
+visit to Turville Court, the house of a friend named Mrs. Pocock, of
+whom we shall hear again. While there, the old lady became suddenly,
+and as was at first feared fatally, ill. Her constant cry, according
+to Mary, was, "Let Cranstoun be sent for," and no sooner had that
+insignificant warrior posted from Southampton to the sick-room than
+the patient began to mend. She declared, now that he had come, she
+would soon be well, and refused to take her medicines from any hand
+but his. Mr. Blandy, also summoned in haste, was much out of humour
+at "the great expense" incurred, and proposed forthwith to take his
+wife home, where "neither the physician's fees nor the apothecary's
+journeys could be so expensive"; and whenever the invalid was able
+to travel, the whole party, including the indispensable captain,
+returned to Henley. On the strength of the old lady's continued
+illness, Cranstoun contrived to "put in" another six months' free
+board and lodging under the Blandys' hospitable roof, until his
+regiment was "broke" at Southampton, when he set out for London.
+During this visit, says Mary, her father was sometimes "very rude"
+to his guest, which, in the circumstances, is not surprising.
+
+Meanwhile, on 1st March, 1748, the Commissary Court had decreed
+William Henry Cranstoun and Anne Murray to be man and wife and the
+child of the marriage to be their lawful issue, and had decerned the
+captain to pay the lady an annuity of L40 sterling for her own
+aliment and L10 for their daughter's, so long as she should be
+maintained by her mother, and further had found him liable in
+expenses, amounting to L100. The proceedings disclose a very ugly
+incident. Shortly after leaving his wife, as before narrated,
+Cranstoun wrote to her that his sole chance of promotion in the Army
+depended on his appearing unmarried, and with much persuasion he at
+length prevailed upon her to copy a letter, framed by him, to the
+effect that she had never been his wife. Once possessed of this
+document in her handwriting, the little scoundrel sent copies of it
+to his own and his wife's relatives in Scotland, whereby she
+suffered much obloquy and neglect, and when that unhappy lady raised
+her action of declarator, with peculiar baseness he lodged the
+letter in process. Fortunately, she had preserved the original
+draft, together with her faithless husband's letters thereanent.
+This judgment was, for the gallant defender, now on half-pay, a
+veritable _debacle_, and we may be sure that the confiding Blandys
+would have heard no word of it from him; but Mrs. Cranstoun, having
+learned something of the game her spouse was playing at Henley,
+herself wrote to Mr. Blandy, announcing the decision of the
+Commissaries and sending for his information a copy of the decree in
+her favour. This, surely, should have opened the eyes even of a
+provincial attorney, but Cranstoun, while admitting the fact,
+induced him to believe, the wish being father to the thought, that
+the Court of first instance, as was not unprecedented, had erred,
+and that he was advised, with good hope of success, to appeal
+against the judgment to the Court of Session. Finally to dispose of
+the captain's legal business, it may now be said that the appeal was
+in due course of time dismissed, and the decision of the
+Commissaries affirmed. Thus the marriage was as valid as Scots law
+could make it. True, as is pointed out by one of his biographers, he
+might have appealed to the House of Lords, "but did not, as it
+seldom happens that they reverse a decree of the Lords of Session!"
+Nowadays, we may assume, Cranstoun would have taken the risk. The
+result of this protracted litigation was never known to Mr. Blandy.
+
+In the spring of 1749, "a few months" after Cranstoun's departure,
+Miss Blandy and her mother went to London for the purpose of taking
+medical advice as to the old lady's health, which was still
+unsatisfactory. They lived while in town with Mrs. Blandy's brother,
+Henry Stevens, the Serjeant, in Doctors' Commons. Cranstoun, with
+whom Mary had been in constant correspondence, waited upon the
+ladies the morning after their arrival, and came daily during their
+visit. On one occasion, Mary states, he brought his elder brother,
+the reigning baron, to call upon them. This gentleman was James,
+sixth Lord Cranstoun, who had succeeded to the title on the death of
+his father in 1727. What was his lordship's attitude regarding the
+"perplexing affair" in Scotland she does not inform us; but Mr.
+Serjeant Stevens refused to countenance the attentions of the
+entangled captain. Mrs. Blandy wept because her brother would not
+invite Cranstoun to dinner, and it was arranged that, to avoid
+"affronts," she should receive the captain's visits in her own room.
+But her friend Mrs. Pocock of Turville Court had a house in St.
+James's Square. "Hither Mr. Cranstoun perpetually came," says Mary,
+"when he understood that I was there;" so they were able to dispense
+with the Serjeant's hospitality. One day she and her mother were
+bidden to dine at Mrs. Pocock's, to meet my Lord Garnock (the future
+Lord Crauford). Cranstoun and their hostess called for them in a
+coach, and in the Strand whom should the party encounter but Mr.
+Blandy, come to town on business. "For God's sake, Mrs. Pocock, what
+do you with this rubbish?" cried the attorney, stopping the coach.
+"Rubbish!" quoth the lady, "Your wife, your daughter, and one who
+may be your son?" "Ay," replied the old man, "They are very well
+matched; 'tis a pity they should ever be asunder!" "God grant they
+never may," simpered the ugly lover; "don't you say amen, papa?" But
+amen, as appears, stuck in Mr. Blandy's throat: he declined Mrs.
+Pocock's invitation to join them, and shortly thereafter returned to
+Henley.
+
+During this visit to town Mary Blandy states that Cranstoun proposed
+a secret marriage "according to the usage of the Church of
+England"--apparently with the view of testing the relative strength
+of the nuptial knot as tied by their respective Churches. Mary, with
+hereditary caution, refused to make the experiment unless an opinion
+of counsel were first obtained, and Cranstoun undertook to submit
+the point to Mr. Murray, the Solicitor-General for Scotland.
+Whatever view, if any, that learned authority expressed regarding so
+remarkable an expedient, Mary heard no more of the matter; but in
+Cranstoun's _Account_ the marriage is said to have taken place at
+her own request, "lest he should prove ungrateful to her after so
+material an intimacy." How "material" in fact was the intimacy
+between them at this time we can only conjecture.
+
+Mrs. Blandy seems to have made the most of her visit to the
+metropolis, for, according to her daughter, she had contracted debts
+amounting to forty pounds, and as she "durst not" inform Mr. Blandy,
+she borrowed that sum from her obliging future son-in-law. By what
+means the captain, in the then state of his finances, came by the
+money Mary fails to explain. Being thus, in a pecuniary sense, once
+more afloat, the ladies, taking grateful leave of Cranstoun, went
+home to Henley.
+
+We hear nothing further of their doings until some six months after
+their return, when on Thursday, 28th September 1749, Mrs. Blandy
+became seriously ill. Mr. Norton, the Henley apothecary who attended
+the family, was sent for, and her brother, the Rev. John Stevens, of
+Fawley, who, "with other country gentlemen meeting to bowl at the
+Bell Inn," chanced then to be in the town, was also summoned. It was
+at first hoped that the old lady would rally as on the former
+occasion but she gradually grew worse, notwithstanding the
+attentions of the eminent Dr. Addington, brought from Reading to
+consult upon the case. Her husband, her daughter, and her two
+brothers were with her until the end, which came on Saturday, 30th
+September. To the last the dying woman clung to her belief in the
+good faith of her noble captain: "Mary has set her heart upon
+Cranstoun; when I am gone, let no one set you against the match,"
+were her last words to her husband. He replied that they must wait
+till the "unhappy affair in Scotland" was decided. The complaint of
+which Mrs. Blandy died was, as appears, intestinal inflammation,
+but, as we shall see later, her daughter was popularly believed to
+have poisoned her. However wicked Mary Blandy may have been, she
+well knew that by her mother's death she and Cranstoun lost their
+best friend. An old acquaintance and neighbour of Mrs. Blandy, one
+Mrs. Mounteney, of whom we shall hear again, came upon a visit to
+the bereaved family. Mrs. Blandy, on her deathbed, had commended
+this lady to her husband, in case he should "discover an inclination
+to marry her"--she already was Mary's godmother; but Mrs. Mounteney
+was destined to play another part in the subsequent drama.
+
+Miss Blandy broke the sad news by letter to her lover in London, and
+pressed him to come immediately to Henley; but the gallant officer
+replied that he was confined to the house for fear of the bailiffs,
+and suggested the propriety of a remittance from the mistress of his
+heart. Mary promptly borrowed forty pounds from Mrs. Mounteney,
+fifteen of which she forwarded for the enlargement of the captain,
+who, on regaining his freedom, came to Henley, where he remained
+some weeks. Francis Blandy was much affected by the loss of his
+wife. At first he seems to have raised no objection to Cranstoun's
+visit, but soon Mary had to complain of the "unkind things" which
+her father said both to her lover and herself. There was still no
+word from Scotland, except a "very civil" letter of condolence from
+my Lady Cranstoun, accompanied by a present of kippered
+salmon--apparently intended as an antidote to grief; but though the
+old man was gratified by such polite attentions, his mind was far
+from easy. He was fast losing all faith in the vision of that
+splendid alliance by which he had been so long deluded, and did not
+care to conceal his disappointment from the person mainly
+responsible.
+
+On this visit mention was first made by Cranstoun of the fatal
+powder of which we shall hear so much. Miss Blandy states that,
+_apropos_ to her father's unpropitious attitude, her lover
+"acquainted her of the great skill of the famous Mrs. Morgan," a
+cunning woman known to him in Scotland, from whom he had received a
+certain powder, "which she called love-powders"--being, as appears,
+the Scottish equivalent to the _poculum amatorium_ or love philtre
+of the Romans. Mary said she had no faith in such things, but
+Cranstoun assured her of its efficacy, having once taken some
+himself, and immediately forgiven a friend to whom he had intended
+never to speak again. "If I had any of these powders," said he, "I
+would put them into something Mr. Blandy should drink." Such is
+Mary's account of the inception of the design upon her father's
+love--or life. There for the time matters rested.
+
+"Before he left Henley for the last time," writes Lady Russell, to
+whose interesting account we shall later refer, "Captain Cranstoun
+made an assignation with Miss Blandy to meet her in the grounds of
+Park Place, which had long been their trysting-place; and here it
+was that in a walk which still goes by the name of 'Blandy's Walk,'
+he first broached his diabolical plan." Park Place, according to the
+same authority, had shortly before been purchased by General Conway
+and Lady Ailesbury from Mr. Blandy, as "trustee" of the property.
+
+A "dunning" letter following the impecunious captain to his peaceful
+retreat alarmed the lovers, for the appearance of a bailiff in the
+respectable house in Hart Street would, for Mr. Blandy, have been,
+as the phrase goes, the last straw. Fortunately, Mary had retained
+against such a contingency the balance of Mrs. Mounteney's loan; and
+with another fifteen pounds of that lady's in his pocket, the
+captain left for London to liquidate his debt.
+
+From that time till August, 1750, the shadow of his sinister guest
+did not darken the attorney's door. On the first of that month
+Cranstoun wrote that he proposed to wait upon him. "He must come, I
+suppose," sighed the old man, and allowed Mary to write that the
+visitor would be received. Doubtless, he faintly hoped that the
+Scottish difficulty was at last removed. But the captain, when he
+came, brought nothing better than the old empty assurances, and his
+host did not conceal how little weight he now attached to such
+professions. The visit was an unpleasant one for all parties, and
+the situation was rapidly becoming impossible. Mary "seldom rose
+from the table without tears." Her father spent his evenings at "the
+coffee-house," that he might see as little as possible of the
+unwelcome guest.
+
+One morning, Mary states, Cranstoun put some of the magic powder in
+the old gentleman's tea, when, _mirabile dictu_, Mr. Blandy, who at
+breakfast had been very cross, appeared at dinner in the best of
+humours, and continued so "all the time Mr. Cranstoun stayed with
+him"! After this, who could doubt the beneficent efficacy of the
+wise woman's drug?
+
+During one of their daily walks this singular lover informed his
+betrothed that he had a secret to communicate, to wit, that over and
+above the Scottish complication, "he had a daughter by one Miss
+Capel" a year before he met the present object of his desires. Miss
+Blandy, with much philosophy, replied that she hoped he now saw his
+follies and would not repeat them. "If I do," said Cranstoun, "I
+must be a villain; you alone can make me happy in this world; and by
+following your example, I hope I shall be happy in the next." A day
+or two afterwards, when Cranstoun was abroad, Mary, so far
+anticipating her wifely duties, entered his room in order to look
+out his things for the wash. She found more "dirty linen" than she
+expected. In an unlocked trunk was a letter of recent date,
+addressed to the gallant captain by a lady then enjoying his
+protection in town. Even Miss Blandy's robust affection was not, for
+the moment, able to overlook a treachery so base. She locked the
+trunk, put the key in her pocket, and at the first opportunity
+handed it to Cranstoun, with the remark that he should in future be
+more careful of his private correspondence. A disgusting scene
+ensued. For two hours the wretched little captain wept and raved,
+imploring her forgiveness. On his knees, clinging to the skirts of
+her gown, he swore he would not live till night unless she pardoned
+his offence. Mary asked him to leave Henley at once; she would not
+expose him, and their engagement "might seem to go off by degrees."
+But the miserable creature conjured her by her mother's dying words
+not to give him up, vowing never to repeat "the same provocations."
+In the end Mary foolishly yielded; one wonders at the strength of
+that abnormal passion by which she was driven to accept a position
+so impossible for a decent and intelligent girl.
+
+Soon after this incident Cranstoun was summoned to Scotland, where
+his mother, Lady Cranstoun, was "extremely ill." "Good God!" cried
+this admirable son, "what shall I do? I have no money to carry me
+thither, and all my fortune is seized on but my half-pay!" For the
+third time Miss Blandy came to the rescue, even giving him back a
+miniature of his ugly countenance with which he had formerly
+presented her. At six o'clock next morning he set out for the North
+in a post-chaise. The old attorney rose early with good heart to
+speed the parting guest, and furnished him with a half-pint bottle
+of rum for the journey. Mary says they "all shed tears"; if so, hers
+were the only genuine tokens of regret. As she waved good-bye to her
+lover and watched the departing chaise till it was lost to view
+along the London road, she little thought that, although his
+sinister influence would remain with her to the end, his graceless
+person had passed from her sight for ever.
+
+It was the month of November, 1750, when Cranstoun took final leave
+of Henley. In October, a year after Mrs. Blandy's death, divers
+curious phenomena had been observed in the old house by the bridge.
+Cranstoun professed that he could get no sleep o' nights, in his
+room "over the great parlour," by reason of unearthly music sounding
+through the chamber after midnight, for two hours at a time. On his
+informing his host of the circumstance, Mr. Blandy caustically
+observed, "It was Scotch music, I suppose?" from which Miss Blandy
+inferred that he was not in a good humour--though the inference
+seems somewhat strained. This manifestation was varied by rappings,
+rustlings, banging of doors, footfalls on the stairs, and other
+eerie sounds, "which greatly terrified Mr. Cranstoun." The old man
+was plainly annoyed by these stories, though he merely expressed the
+opinion that his guest was "light-headed." But when Cranstoun one
+morning announced that he had been visited in the night, as the
+clock struck two, by the old gentleman's wraith, "with his white
+stockings, his coat on, and a cap on his head," Mr. Blandy "did not
+seem pleased with the discourse," and the subject was dropped. But
+Mary, mentioning these strange matters to the maids, expressed the
+fear that such happenings boded no good to her father, and told how
+Mr. Cranstoun had learned from a cunning woman in Scotland that they
+were the messengers of death, and that her father would die within
+the year.
+
+Whatever weight might attach to these gloomy prognostications of the
+mysterious Mrs. Morgan, it became obvious that from about that date
+Francis Blandy's health began to fail. He was in the sixty-second
+year of his age, and he suffered the combined assault of gout,
+gravel, and heartburn. The state of irritation and suspense
+consequent upon his daughter's relations with her lover must greatly
+have aggravated his troubles. It was assumed by the prosecution, on
+the ground of Mr. Blandy losing his teeth through decay, that he had
+begun to manifest the effects of poison soon after Cranstoun left
+Henley in November, 1750, but from the evidence given at the trial
+it seems improbable that anything injurious was administered to him
+until the receipt in the following April of that deadly present from
+Scotland, "The powder to clean the pebbles with." Mr. Norton, the
+medical man who attended him for several years, stated that the last
+illness Mr. Blandy had before the fatal one of August, 1751, was in
+July, 1750. The stuff that Cranstoun had put into the old
+gentleman's tea in August could, therefore, have no reference to the
+illness of the previous month, and certainly was not the genuine
+preparation of Mrs. Morgan. If Mary Blandy were not in fact his
+accomplice later, it may have been sifted sugar or something equally
+simple, to induce her to believe the magic powder harmless.
+
+Having at length got his would-be son-in-law out of the house, Mr.
+Blandy determined to be fooled no further; he ordered Mary to write
+to Cranstoun telling him on no account to show his face again at
+Henley until his matrimonial difficulties were "quite decided."
+Tears and entreaties were of no avail; like all weak characters, Mr.
+Blandy, having for once put down his foot, was obdurate. This
+ultimatum she duly communicated to her lover in the North; if we
+could know in what terms and how replied to by him, we should solve
+the riddle. Hitherto they seem to have trusted to time and the old
+man's continued credulity to effect their respective ends, but now,
+if Miss Blandy were to secure a "husband" and Cranstoun lay hands
+upon her L10,000, some definite step must be taken. Both knew, what
+was as yet unknown to Mr. Blandy, that the appeal had long since
+been dismissed, and that while his wife lived Cranstoun could never
+marry Mary. At any moment her father might learn the truth and
+alter, by the stroke of a pen, the disposition of his fortune. That
+they openly agreed to remove by murder the obstacle to their mutual
+desires is unlikely. Cranstoun, as appears from all the
+circumstances, was the instigator, as he continued throughout the
+guiding spirit, of the plot; probably nothing more definite was said
+between them than that the "love powder" would counteract the old
+man's opposition; but from her subsequent conduct, as proved by the
+evidence, it is incredible that Mary acted in ignorance of the true
+purpose of the wise woman's prescription.
+
+In April, or the beginning of May, 1751, by Miss Blandy's statement,
+she received from her lover a letter informing her that he had seen
+his old friend Mrs. Morgan, who was to oblige him with a fresh
+supply of her proprietary article, which he would send along with
+some "Scotch pebbles" for his betrothed's acceptance. "Ornaments of
+Scotch pebbles," says Lady Russell, "were the extreme of fashion in
+the year 1750." According to the opening speech for the Crown, both
+powder and pebbles arrived at Henley in April; Mary says they did
+not reach her hands till June. Susan Gunnell, one of the
+maidservants, stated at the trial that there were two consignments
+of pebbles from Scotland; one "in a large box of table linen," which
+came "early in the spring," and another in "a small box," some three
+months before her master's death. Cranstoun's instructions were "to
+mix the powder in tea." While professing to doubt "such efficacy
+could be lodged in any powder whatsoever," and expressing the fear
+"lest it should impair her father's health," Mary consented to give
+the love philtre a fair trial. "This some mornings after I did," she
+says in her _Own Account_.
+
+Of the earlier phases of Francis Blandy's fatal illness, which began
+in this month of June, the evidence tells us nothing more definite
+than that he suffered much internal pain and frequently was sick; but
+two incidents occurring at that time throw some light upon the cause
+of his complaint. It was the habit of the old man to have his tea
+served "in a different dish from the rest of the family." One morning
+Susan Gunnell, finding that her master had left his tea untasted,
+drank it; for three days she was violently sick and continued unwell
+for a week. On another occasion Mr. Blandy's tea being again untouched
+by him, it was given to an old charwoman named Ann Emmet, often
+employed about the house. She shortly was seized with sickness so
+severe as to endanger her life. That Mary knew of both these
+mysterious attacks is proved; she was much concerned at the illness
+of the charwoman, who was a favourite of hers, and she sent white
+wine, whey, and broth for the invalid's use.
+
+It is singular that such experiences failed to shake Miss Blandy's
+faith in the harmless nature of Mrs. Morgan's nostrum, but they at
+least made her realise that tea was an unsuitable vehicle for its
+exhibition, and she communicated the fact to Cranstoun. Her
+bloodthirsty adviser, however, was able to meet the difficulty. On
+18th July he wrote to her, "in an allegorical manner," as
+follows:--"I am sorry there are such occasions to clean your
+pebbles; you must make use of the powder to them by putting it in
+anything of substance wherein it will not swim a-top of the water,
+of which I wrote to you in one of my last. I am afraid it will be
+too weak to take off their rust, or at least it will take too long a
+time." As a further inducement to her to hasten the work in hand, he
+described the beauties of Scotland, and mentioned that his mother,
+Lady Cranstoun, was having an apartment specially fitted up at
+Lennel House for Mary's use. The text of this letter was quoted by
+Bathurst in his opening speech for the Crown, but the report of the
+trial does not bear that the document itself was produced, or that
+it was proved to be in Cranstoun's handwriting. The letter is quoted
+in the _Secret History_ and referred to in other contemporary
+tracts, and the fact of its existence appears to have been well
+known at the time. Further, Miss Blandy in her _Own Account_
+distinctly alludes to its receipt, and no objection was taken by her
+or her counsel to the reading of it at the trial. The point is of
+importance for two reasons. Firstly, this letter, if written by
+Cranstoun and received by Mary affords the strongest presumptive
+proof of their mutual guilt. Had their design been, as she asserted,
+innocent, what need to adopt in a private letter this "allegorical"
+and guarded language? Secondly, Mary, as we shall see, found means
+before her arrest to destroy the half of the Cranstoun correspondence
+in her keeping, and it would have been more satisfactory if the
+prosecution had shown how this particular letter escaped to fall into
+their hands. That she herself fabricated it in order to inculpate her
+accomplice is highly improbable; had she done so, as Mr. Bleackley has
+pointed out, its contents would have been more consistent with her
+defence.
+
+On the evening of Sunday, 4th August, Susan Gunnell, by order of her
+mistress, made in a pan a quantity of water gruel for her master's
+use. On Monday, the 5th, Miss Blandy was seen by the maids at
+mid-day stirring the gruel with a spoon in the pantry. She remarked
+that she had been eating the oatmeal from the bottom of the pan,
+"and taking some up in the spoon, put it between her fingers and
+rubbed it." That night some of the gruel was sent up in a half-pint
+mug by Mary for her father's supper. When doing so, she repeated her
+curious action of the morning, taking a little in a spoon and
+rubbing it. On Tuesday, the 6th, the whole house was in confusion:
+Mr. Blandy had become seriously ill in the night, with symptoms of
+violent pain, vomiting, and purging. Mr. Norton, the Henley
+apothecary who attended the family, was summoned--at whose instance
+does not appear--and on arriving at the house he found the patient
+suffering, as he thought, from "a fit of colic." He asked him if he
+had eaten anything that could have disagreed with him; and Mary, who
+was in the bedroom, replied "that her papa had had nothing that she
+knew of, except some peas on the Saturday night before." Not a word
+was said about the gruel; and Mr. Norton had no reason to suspect
+poison. He prescribed, and himself brought certain remedies,
+promising to call next day. In the afternoon Miss Blandy, in the
+kitchen, asked Elizabeth Binfield, the cook, this strange question:
+"Betty, if one thing should happen, will you go with me to
+Scotland?" to which Betty cautiously replied, "If I should go there
+and not like it, it would be expensive travelling back again." That
+evening Susan was told to warm some of the gruel for her master's
+supper; she did so, and Mary herself carried it to him in the
+parlour. On going upstairs to bed, he was repeatedly sick, and
+called to Susan to bring him a basin.
+
+Next morning, Wednesday, the 7th, Betty Binfield brought down from
+the bedroom the remains of Mr. Blandy's supper. Old Ann Emmet, the
+charwoman, chanced, unhappily for herself, to be in the kitchen.
+Susan told her she might eat what had been left, which she did, with
+the result that she too became violently ill, with symptoms similar
+to those of Mr. Blandy, and even by the following spring had not
+sufficiently recovered to be able to attend the trial of her
+benefactress. When Susan, at nine o'clock, went up to dress her
+mistress and informed her of her protegee's seizure, Miss Blandy
+feelingly remarked that she was glad she had not been downstairs, as
+it would have shocked her to see "her poor dame" so ill. The doctor
+called in the forenoon and found his patient easier. Later in the
+day Mary said to Susan that as her master had taken physic, he would
+require more gruel, but as there was still some left, she need not
+make it fresh "as she was ironing." Susan replied that the gruel was
+stale, being then four days old, and, further, that having herself
+tasted it, she felt very ill, upon which facts Mary made no comment.
+She thoughtfully warned the cook, however, that if Susan ate more of
+the gruel "she might do for herself--a person of her age," from
+which we must infer that Susan was much her master's senior; how,
+otherwise, was the old man to take it daily with impunity?
+
+The strange circumstances attending this gruel aroused the maids'
+suspicions. They examined the remanent contents of the pan--the aged
+but adventurous Susan again tasting the fatal mixture was sick for
+many days--and found a white, gritty "settlement" at the bottom.
+They prudently put the pan in a locked closet overnight. Next day,
+Thursday, the 8th, Susan carried it to their neighbour, Mrs.
+Mounteney, who sent for Mr. Norton, the apothecary, by whom the
+contents were removed for subsequent examination, the result of
+which will in due course appear.
+
+Meanwhile, Mary's uncle, the Rev. Mr. Stevens, of Fawley, having
+heard of his brother-in-law's illness, arrived on Friday, the 9th.
+To him Susan communicated the suspicious circumstances already
+mentioned, and he advised her to tell her master what she knew.
+Accordingly, at seven o'clock the following morning (Saturday, the
+10th), Susan entered her master's bedroom, and broke to him the
+fearful news that his illness was suspected to be due to poison,
+administered to him by his own daughter. So soon as he had recovered
+from the first shock of this terrible intelligence, the old attorney
+asked her where Mary could have obtained the poison--he does not
+seem to have questioned the fact of its administration--and Susan
+could suggest no other source than Cranstoun. "Oh, that villain!"
+cried the sick man, realising in a flash the horrid plot of which he
+was the victim, "that ever he came to my house! I remember he
+mentioned a particular poison that they had in their country." Susan
+told him that Mr. Norton advised that Miss Blandy's papers be seized
+forthwith, but to this Mr. Blandy would not agree. "I never in all
+my life read a letter that came to my daughter," said the scrupulous
+old man; but he asked Susan to secure any of the powder she could
+find.
+
+Determined at once to satisfy himself of the truth, Mr. Blandy rose
+and went downstairs to breakfast. There was present at that meal,
+besides himself and Mary, one Robert Littleton, his clerk, who had
+returned the night before from a holiday in Warwickshire. The old
+man appeared to him "in great agony, and complained very much." Mary
+handed her father his tea in his "particular dish." He tasted it,
+and, fixing his eyes upon her, remarked that it had a bad, gritty
+taste, and asked if she had put anything into it. The girl trembled
+and changed countenance, muttering that it was made as usual; to
+hide her confusion she hurried from the room. Mr. Blandy poured his
+tea into "the cat's basin" and sent for a fresh supply. After
+breakfast, Mary asked Littleton what had become of the tea, and,
+being told, seemed to him much upset by the occurrence. When the old
+man had finished his meal, he went into the kitchen to shave. While
+there he observed to his daughter, in presence of Betty Binfield, "I
+had like to have been poisoned once," referring to an occasion when
+he and two friends drank something hurtful at the coffee house. "One
+of these gentlemen died immediately, the other is dead now," said
+he; "I have survived them both, and it is my fortune to be poisoned
+at last," and, looking "very hard" at her, he turned away.
+
+Miss Blandy must have been blind indeed had she failed to see the
+significance of these incidents. Anything but obtuse, she at once
+decided to take instant measures for her own protection. She went up
+to her room, and collecting Cranstoun's correspondence and what
+remained of the fatal powder, she returned to the kitchen; standing
+before the fire on pretence of drying the superscription of a
+letter, she threw the whole bundle into the grate and "stirred it
+down with a stick." The cook at the moment, whether by chance or
+design, put on some coals, which preserved the papers from flaming
+up, and as soon as their mistress had left the kitchen, the maids,
+now thoroughly on the alert, took off the coal. The letters were
+consumed, but they drew out almost uninjured a folded paper packet,
+bearing in Cranstoun's hand the suggestive words, "The powder to
+clean the pebbles with," and still containing a small quantity of
+white powder, which they delivered to Mr. Norton when he called
+later in the day. The apothecary found his patient worse, and stated
+his opinion to Mary, who asked him to bring from Reading the great
+Dr. Anthony Addington (father of Lord Sidmouth). Did she at the
+eleventh hour, pausing upon her dreadful path, seek yet to save her
+father's life, or was this merely a move to show her "innocence," as
+Dr. Pritchard, in similar circumstances, invited an eminent
+colleague to visit his dying victims? Both in her _Narrative_ and
+her _Own Account_ Mary takes full credit for calling in Dr.
+Addington, but she is unable to allude to the episodes of the
+parlour and the kitchen.
+
+Dr. Addington arrived at midnight. From the condition of the
+patient, coupled with what he learned from him and Mr. Norton, the
+doctor had no doubt Mr. Blandy was suffering from the effects of
+poison. He at once informed the daughter, and inquired if her father
+had any enemies. "It is impossible!" she replied. "He is at peace
+with all the world and all the world is at peace with him." She
+added that her father had long suffered from colic and heartburn, to
+which his present indisposition was doubtless due. Dr. Addington
+remained in the sick-room until Sunday morning (the 11th), when he
+left, promising to return next day. He took with him the sediment
+from the pan and the packet rescued from the fire, both of which
+were delivered to him by Mr. Norton. At this time neither physician
+nor apothecary knew the precise nature of the powder. Before he
+quitted the house, Dr. Addington warned Mary that if her father died
+she would inevitably be ruined.
+
+Her position was now, one would think, sufficiently precarious; but
+the infatuated woman took a further fatal step. Her "love" for her
+murderous little gallant moved her to warn him of their common
+danger. She wrote to him at Lennel House, Coldstream, and asked
+Littleton, who had been in the habit of directing her letters to
+Cranstoun, to seal, address, and post the missive as usual. But
+Littleton, aware of the dark cloud of suspicion that had settled
+upon his master's daughter, opened it and read as follows:--"Dear
+Willy,--My father is so bad that I have only time to tell you that
+if you do not hear from me soon again, don't be frightened. I am
+better myself. Lest any accident should happen to your letters, take
+care what you write. My sincere compliments. I am ever yours."
+Littleton at once showed the letter to Mr. Norton, and afterwards
+read it to Mr. Blandy: "He said very little. He smiled and said,
+'Poor love-sick girl! What won't a girl do for a man she loves?'"
+
+There was then in the house Mary's uncle, Mr. Blandy, of Kingston,
+who had come to see his brother, and it was prudently decided, in
+view of all the circumstances, to refuse her access to the
+sick-room. But on the following morning (Monday, the 12th) Mr.
+Blandy sent by Susan Gunnell a message to his daughter "that he was
+ready to forgive her if she would but endeavour to bring that
+villain to justice." In accordance with the dying man's request,
+Mary was admitted to his room in presence of Susan and Mr. Norton.
+Unaware of the recovery of the powder and the interception of her
+letter, "she thanked God that she was much better, and said her mind
+was more at ease than it had been"; but, being informed of these
+damning discoveries, she fell on her knees by her father's bed and
+implored his forgiveness, vowing that she would never see or write
+to Cranstoun again. "I forgive thee, my dear," said the old man,
+"and I hope God will forgive thee; but thou shouldst have considered
+better than to have attempted anything against thy father." To which
+she answered, "Sir, as for your illness, I am entirely innocent."
+She admitted having put the powder into the gruel, "but," said she,
+"it was given me with another intent." Her father, "turning himself
+in his bed," exclaimed, "Oh, such a villain! To come to my house,
+eat and drink of the best my house could afford, and then to take
+away my life and ruin my daughter! Oh, my dear, thou must hate that
+man, must hate the ground he treads on, thou canst not help it!"
+"Sir," said Mary, "your tenderness towards me is like a sword
+piercing my heart--much worse than if you were ever so angry. I must
+down on my knees and beg you will not curse me." "I curse thee, my
+daughter," he rejoined, "how canst thou think I could curse thee?
+Nay, I bless thee, and hope God will bless thee also and amend thy
+life. Do, my dear, go out of my room and say no more, lest thou
+shouldst say anything to thine own prejudice"; whereupon, says
+Susan, who reports what passed, "she went directly out." Thus Mary
+and her father parted for the last time. It appears from this
+pathetic interview that the old man purposely treated her as
+Cranstoun's innocent dupe, to shield her, if possible, from the
+consequences of her guilt, of which, in the circumstances, he could
+have entertained no doubt.
+
+[Illustration: Facsimile of the Intercepted Letter to Cranstoun
+written by Mary Blandy
+(_From the original MS. in the Public Record Office_.)]
+
+Meanwhile Dr. Addington had applied to the mysterious powder the
+tests prescribed by the scientific knowledge of the time, which, if
+less delicate and reliable than the processes of Reinsch and
+Marsh--a red-hot poker was the principal agent--yielded results then
+deemed sufficiently conclusive. Judged by these experiments, Mrs.
+Morgan's mystic philtre was composed of nothing more recondite than
+white arsenic. When Dr. Addington called on Monday he found the
+patient much worse, and sent for Dr. Lewis, of Oxford, as he
+"apprehended Mr. Blandy to be in the utmost danger, and that this
+affair might come before a Court of judicature." He asked the dying
+man whether he himself knew if he had "taken poison often." Mr.
+Blandy said he believed he had, and in reply to the further
+question, whom he suspected to be the giver of the poison? "the
+tears stood in his eyes, yet he forced a smile, and said, 'A poor
+love-sick girl--I forgive her. I always thought there was mischief
+in those cursed Scotch pebbles.'" Dr. Lewis came, and confirmed Dr.
+Addington's diagnosis; by their orders Mary was that evening
+confined to her chamber, a guard was placed over her, and her keys,
+papers, "and all instruments wherewith she could hurt either herself
+or any other person" were taken from her. Dr. Addington graphically
+describes the scene when the guilty woman realised that all was
+lost. She protested that from the first she had been basely deceived
+by Cranstoun, that she had never put powder in anything her father
+swallowed, excepting the gruel drunk by him on the Monday and
+Tuesday nights, that she believed it "would make him kind to him
+[Cranstoun] and her," and that she did not know it to be poison
+"_till she had seen its effects_." She declined to assist in
+bringing her lover to justice--she considered him as her husband,
+"though the ceremony had not passed between them." In reply to
+further pertinent questions, e.g., whether she really pretended to
+believe in the childish business of the "love philtre"? why
+Cranstoun described it, if innoxious, as "powder to clean the
+pebbles with"? why, in view of her father's grave condition, she
+failed sooner to call in medical aid? and why she had concealed from
+him (Addington) what she knew to be the true cause of the illness?
+her answers were not such, says Dr. Addington, as gave him any
+satisfaction. She made, however, the highly damaging admission that,
+about six weeks before, she had put some of the powder into her
+father's tea, which Susan Gunnell drank and was ill for a week
+after. This was said in presence of Betty Binfield. Thus, it will be
+observed, Mary Blandy, on her own showing knew, long before she
+operated upon, the gruel at all, the baneful effects of the powder.
+Her statement that the motive for administering it was to make her
+father "kind" both to _herself_ and Cranstoun should also be, in
+view of her subsequent defence, remembered.
+
+On Tuesday, the 13th, the doctors found their patient delirious and
+"excessively weak." He grew worse throughout the day; but next
+morning he regained consciousness for an hour, and spoke of making
+his will in a day or two--a characteristic touch. He soon relapsed,
+however, and rapidly sinking, died at two o'clock in the afternoon
+of Wednesday, 14th August, 1751. So the end for which, trampling
+upon the common instincts of her kind and hardening her heart
+against the cry of Nature, she had so persistently and horribly
+striven, was at last attained--with what contentment to "The Fair
+Parricide," in her guarded chamber, may be left to the speculation
+of the curious. The servants had access to their mistress's room.
+That afternoon Miss Blandy asked Robert Harman, the footman, to go
+away with her immediately--to France, says one account--and offered
+him L500 if he would do so. He refused. At night, by her request,
+the cook, Betty Binfield, sat up with her. "Betty, will you go away
+with me?" she cried, so soon as they were alone. "If you will go to
+the Lion or the Bell and hire a post-chaise, I will give you fifteen
+guineas when you get into it, and ten guineas more when we come to
+London!" "Where will you go--into the North?" inquired the cautious
+cook; "Shall you go by sea?" and learning that the proposed
+excursion would include a voyage, Betty, being, as appears, a bad
+sailor, declined the offer. Her mistress then "burst into laughter,"
+and said she was only joking! In the _Narrative_, written after her
+condemnation, Mary boldly denies that these significant incidents
+occurred; in her more elaborate _Account_ she makes no reference to
+the subject. Those who saw her at this time testify to her extreme
+anxiety regarding her own situation, but say she showed no sign of
+sorrow, compassion, or remorse for her father's death.
+
+The person charged with the duty of warding Mary in her chamber was
+Edward Herne, parish clerk of Henley, who some twelve years before
+had been employed in Mr. Blandy's office, and had since remained on
+intimate terms with the family. It would appear, from an allusion in
+a contemporary tract, that Herne was that "Mr. H----" whose
+pretensions to the hand of the attorney's daughter had once been
+politely rejected. If so, probably he still preserved sufficient of
+his former feeling to sympathise with her position and wink at her
+escape. Be the fact as it may, at ten o'clock next morning,
+Thursday, 15th August, Ned Herne, as Mary names him, leaving his
+fair charge unguarded, went off to dig a grave for his old master.
+So soon as the coast was clear, Mary, with "nothing on but a
+half-sack and petticoat without a hoop," ran out of the house into
+the street and over Henley bridge, in a last wild attempt to cheat
+her fate. Her distraught air and strange array attracted instant
+notice. She was quickly recognised and surrounded by an angry
+crowd--for the circumstances of Mr. Blandy's death were now common
+knowledge, and the Coroner's jury was to sit that day. Alarmed by
+her hostile reception, she sought refuge at the sign of the Angel,
+on the other side of the bridge, and Mrs. Davis, the landlady, shut
+the door upon the mob. There chanced then to be in the alehouse one
+Mr. Lane, who, with his wife, were interested spectators of these
+unwonted proceedings. Miss Blandy, having "called for a pint of wine
+and a toast," thus addressed the stranger--"Sir, you look like a
+gentleman; what do you think they will do to me?" Mr. Lane told her
+that she would be committed to the county gaol for trial at the
+Assizes, when, if her innocence appeared, she would be acquitted; if
+not, she would suffer accordingly. On receiving this cold comfort
+Mary "stamped her foot upon the ground," and cried, "Oh, that damned
+villain! But why should I blame him? I am more to blame than he, for
+I gave it him [her father] and knew the consequence." On
+cross-examination at a later stage, the witnesses were unable to
+swear whether the word she used was "knew" or "know." The
+distinction is obvious; but looking to the other evidence on the
+point, it is not of much importance. Mr. Alderman Fisher, a friend
+of Mr. Blandy and one of the jury summoned upon the inquest, came to
+the Angel and persuaded the fugitive to return. Though the distance
+was inconsiderable, Mr. Fisher had to convey her in a "close"
+post-chaise "to preserve her from the resentment of the populace."
+Welcomed home by the sergeant and mace-bearer sent by the
+Corporation of Henley to take her in charge, Mary asked Mr. Fisher
+how it would go with her. He told her, "very hard," unless she could
+support her story by the production of Cranstoun's letters. "Dear
+Mr. Fisher," said she, "I am afraid I have burnt some that would
+have brought him to justice. My honour to him will prove my ruin."
+If the letters afforded sufficient proof of Cranstoun's criminous
+intent, it hardly appears how the fact rhymes to Mary's innocence.
+
+That day a post-mortem examination of Mr. Blandy's remains was made
+by Dr. Addington and others, and in the afternoon "at the house of
+John Gale, Richard Miles, Gent., Mayor and Coroner of the said
+town," opened his inquiry into the cause of death. An account of the
+proceedings at the inquest is printed in the Appendix. The medical
+witnesses examined were Drs. Addington and Lewis; Mr. Nicholson,
+surgeon in Henley; and the apothecary, Mr. Norton, who severally
+spoke to the symptoms exhibited by the deceased during life, the
+appearances presented by his body, and the result of the analysis of
+the powder. They were of opinion that Mr. Blandy died of poison, and
+that the powder was a poison capable of causing his death. The
+maids, Gunnell and Binfield, Harman the footman, and Mary's old
+flame, Ned Herne, were the other witnesses whose depositions were
+taken. Having heard the evidence, the jury found that Francis Blandy
+was poisoned, and that Mary Blandy "did poison and murder" him; and
+on Friday, 16th August, the mayor and coroner issued to the
+constables his warrant to convey the prisoner to the county gaol of
+Oxford, there to be detained until discharged by due course of law.
+That night Mr. Blandy's body was buried in the parish church at
+Henley. None of his relatives were present, Norton, his apothecary;
+Littleton, his clerk; and Harman, his footman, being the only
+mourners.
+
+Miss Blandy was not removed to Oxford Castle till the following day,
+to enable her to make the arrangements necessary for a lengthy
+visit. By her request, one Mrs. Dean, a former servant of the
+family, accompanied her as her maid. Her tea caddy--"the cannisters
+were all most full of fine Hyson"--was not forgotten. At four
+o'clock on Saturday morning the ladies, attended by two constables,
+set out "very privately" in a landau and four, and, eluding the
+attention of the mob, reached Oxford about eleven. Mary's first
+question on arriving at the gaol was, "Am I to be fettered?" and,
+learning that she would not be put in irons so long as she behaved
+well, she remarked, "I have wore them all this morning in my mind in
+the coach." At first, we are told, "her imprisonment was indeed
+rather like a retirement from the world than the confinement of a
+criminal." She had her maid to attend her, the best, apartments in
+the keeper's house were placed at her disposal, she drank tea--her
+favourite Hyson--twice a day, walked at her pleasure in the keeper's
+garden, and of an evening enjoyed her game of cards. Her privacy was
+strictly respected; no one was allowed to "see her without her
+consent," though very extraordinary sums were daily offered for that
+purpose. What treatment more considerate could a sensitive
+gentlewoman desire? But the rude breath of the outer world was not
+so easily excluded. One day the interesting prisoner learned from a
+visitor the startling news that her father's fortune, of which, as
+he had left no will, she was sole heiress, had been found to amount
+to less than four thousand pounds! With what feelings would she
+recall the old attorney's boastful references to her L10,000 dower,
+the fame of which had first attracted her "lover," Cranstoun, and so
+led to results already sufficiently regrettable, the end of which
+she shuddered to foresee. How passionately the fierce woman must
+have cursed the irony of her fate! But to this mental torment were
+soon to be added physical discomfort and indignity. A rumour reached
+the authorities in London that a scheme was afoot to effect her
+rescue. On Friday, 25th October, the Secretary of State having
+instructed the Sheriff of the county "to take more particular care
+of her," the felon's fetters she had before feared were riveted upon
+her slender ankles; and there was an end to the daily walks amid the
+pleasant alleys of the keeper's garden. This broad hint as to her
+real position induced a different state of mind. The chapel
+services, hitherto somewhat neglected, were substituted for the
+mundane pastimes of tea-drinkings and cards, and the prison
+chaplain, the Rev. John Swinton, became her only visitor. To the
+pious attentions of that gentleman she may now be left while we see
+what happened beyond the narrow circuit of her cell.
+
+We are enabled to throw some fresh light upon the doings of the
+powers in whose high hands lay the prisoner's life from certain
+correspondence, hitherto unpublished, relating to her case. These
+documents, here printed for the first time from the original MSS. in
+the British Museum and Public Record Office, will be found in the
+Appendix. On 27th September, 1751, Lord Chancellor Hardwicke wrote
+to the Duke of Newcastle, Secretary of State, advising that, if upon
+the examinations there appeared to be sufficient grounds to proceed
+against Mary Blandy for her father's murder, the prosecution should
+be carried on at the expense of the Crown, an unusual but not
+unprecedented practice; and that Mr. Sharpe, Solicitor to the
+Treasury, be ordered to take the necessary steps, under direction of
+the Attorney-General; otherwise it would be a reproach to the King's
+justice should so flagrant a crime escape punishment, as might, if
+the prosecution were left in the hands of the prisoner's own
+relatives, occur. As it was thought that Susan Gunnell and the old
+charwoman, Ann Emmet, material witnesses, "could not long survive
+the effects of the poison they partook of," and might "dye" before
+the trial, which in ordinary course would not be held until the Lent
+Assizes, his lordship suggested that a special commission be sent
+into Berkshire to find a bill of indictment there, so that the trial
+could be had at the King's Bench Bar within the next term. It
+appears from the correspondence that one Richard Lowe, the Mayor of
+Henley's messenger, had, shortly after Miss Blandy's committal, been
+despatched to Scotland with the view of apprehending the Hon.
+William Henry Cranstoun as accessory to the murder. From the address
+on Mary's intercepted letter, Cranstoun was believed to be in
+Berwick, and Lowe applied to Mr. Carre, the Sheriff-Depute of
+Berwickshire, who seems to have made some difficulty in granting a
+warrant in terms of the application, though ultimately he did so. By
+that time, however, the bird had flown; and Lowe and Carre each
+blamed the other for the failure to effect the fugitive's arrest.
+His lordship accordingly recommended that the Lord Justice-Clerk of
+Scotland be requested to hold an inquiry into the facts. Lord
+Hardwicke, in a private letter to the Duke of the same date,
+commented on the "extraordinary method" taken to apprehend
+Cranstoun, pointing out that a messenger ought to have been sent
+with the Secretary of State's warrant, "which runs equally over the
+whole kingdom"; _that_ might have been executed with secrecy,
+whereas by the course adopted "so many persons must be apprized of
+it, that he could hardly fail of getting notice." On receipt of
+these letters, Newcastle wrote to Sir Dudley Ryder, the
+Attorney-General, that His Majesty would be pleased to give orders
+for the prosecution of Mary Blandy, and instructing him to take the
+requisite steps for that purpose. The result of the Justice-Clerk's
+inquiry, as appears from the further correspondence, was completely
+to exonerate Mr. Carre from the charges of negligence and delay made
+against him by the Mayor's messenger.
+
+On 4th October the Chancellor wrote to the Secretary regarding a
+petition by the "Noblemen and Gentlemen in the Neighbourhood of
+Henley-upon-Thames, and the Mayor and principal Magistrates of that
+Town, to the Duke of Newcastle," thanking his grace for King
+George's "Paternal Goodness" in directing that the prisoner should
+be prosecuted at "His Majesty's Expence," stating that no endeavour
+would be wanting on their part to render that prosecution
+successful, and praying that, in order to bring to justice "the
+Wicked Contriver and Instigator of this Villainous Scheme," His
+Majesty might be pleased to offer by proclamation a reward for
+Cranstoun's apprehension. The signatories included the Mayor and
+Rector of Henley, divers county magnates, and also the local
+magistrates, Lords Macclesfield and Cadogan, whose "indefatigable
+diligence" in getting up the Crown case was specially commended by
+Bathurst at the trial. By Lord Hardwicke's instructions the Duke
+submitted the petition to the Attorney-General, with the query,
+whether it would be advisable to issue such a proclamation? And Sir
+Dudley Ryder, while of opinion that the matter was one "of mere
+discretion in His Majesty" and generally approving the measure,
+thought it probable that the person in question might even then "be
+gone beyond sea." Mr. Attorney's conjecture was, as we shall find,
+correct.
+
+There is an interesting letter from one Mr. Wise to Mr. Sharpe,
+Solicitor to the Treasury, giving us a glimpse of Miss Blandy in
+prison. The writer describes a visit paid by him to Oxford Castle
+and the condition in which he found her, tells how he impressed upon
+the keeper and Mrs. Dean the dire results to themselves of allowing
+her to escape, and mentions the annoyance of Parson Swinton, "a
+great favourite of Miss Blandy's," at the "freedom" taken with his
+name by some anonymous scribbler. This was not the first time that
+reverend gentleman had to complain of the "liberty" of the Press, as
+we learn from certain curious pamphlets of 1739, from which it would
+seem that his reputation had no very sweet savour in contemporary
+nostrils. Mr. Sharpe, writing to Mr. Wise on 6th December, alludes
+to a threatening letter sent to Betty Binfield, purporting to be
+written by Cranstoun, from which it was inferred that the fugitive
+was lying concealed "either here in London or in the North." A
+similar "menacing letter" signed W.H.C. had been received by Dr.
+Lewis on 23rd November, which, like the other, was probably a hoax.
+Cranstoun, being then safe in France, would not so commit himself.
+
+The last document of the series, "The Examination of Francis
+Gropptty," dated 3rd February, 1752, tells for the first time the
+story of the fugitive's escape. This was the man employed by the
+Cranstoun family to get their disreputable relative quietly out of
+England. The delicate negotiation was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Home,
+brother of Lord Home, and a certain Captain Alexander Hamilton. It was
+represented to Gropptty, who had "lived with Lord Home several years"
+and then "did business for him," that such a service would "very much,
+oblige Lord Cranstoun, Lord Home, and all the Family," and that, as
+there were no orders to stop Cranstoun at Dover, by complying with
+their request he, personally, ran no risk; accordingly he consented
+to see the interesting exile as far as Calais. On 2nd September
+Captain Hamilton produced Cranstoun at Gropptty's house in Mount
+Street. Our old acquaintance characteristically explained that he was
+without funds for the journey, having been "rob'd" of his money and
+portmanteau on his way to town. Gropptty was induced to purchase for
+the traveller "such, necessaries as he wanted," and Captain Hamilton
+went to solicit from Lord Ancrum a loan of twenty pounds for expenses.
+His lordship having unaccountably refused the advance, the guileless
+Gropptty agreed to lend ten guineas upon Captain Hamilton's note
+of hand, which, as he in his examination complained, was still
+"unsatisfied." He and Cranstoun then set out in a post-chaise for
+Dover, where they arrived next morning at nine o'clock. On 4th
+September they embarked in the packet for Calais, paying a guinea for
+their passage; and Gropptty, having seen his charge safely bestowed in
+lodgings "at the Rate of Fifty Livres a Month," returned to London.
+Informed of the successful issue of the adventure, the Rev. Mr. Home
+evinced a holy joy, and, in the name of his noble kinsman and of Lord
+Cranstoun, promised Gropptty a handsome reward for his trouble. That
+gentleman, however, said he had acted solely out of gratitude to Lord
+Home, and wanted nothing but his outlays; so he made out an "Acct. of
+the Expences he had been at," amounting, with the sum advanced by him,
+to eighteen pounds, for which Captain Hamilton obligingly gave him a
+bill upon my Lord Cranstoun. By a singular coincidence this document
+of debt also remained "unsatisfied"; his lordship, after keeping it
+for six weeks, "returned it unpaid, and the Examt. has not yet recd.
+the money"! Thus, in common with all who had any dealings with the
+Hon. William Henry Cranstoun, Gropptty in the end got the worse of the
+bargain.
+
+While her gallant accomplice, having successfully stolen a march
+upon the hangman, was breathing the free air of the French seaport,
+Miss Blandy, in her cell in Oxford Castle, was preparing for her
+trial. She had at first entrusted her defence to one Mr. Newell, an
+attorney of Henley, who had succeeded her late father in the office
+of town-clerk; but the lawyer, at one of their consultations,
+untactfully expressing astonishment that she should have got herself
+into trouble over such "a mean-looking little ugly fellow" as
+Cranstoun, his client took umbrage at this observation as reflecting
+upon her taste in lovers, dispensed with his further services, and
+employed in his stead one Mr. Rivers of Woodstock. From the day of
+her arrest all sorts of rumours had been rife regarding so
+sensational a case. She had poisoned her mother; she had poisoned
+her friend Mrs. Pocock--how and when that lady in fact died we do
+not know; she was still in correspondence with Cranstoun; she was
+secretly married to the keeper's son, a step to which the
+circumstances of their acquaintance left her no alternative; her
+fortune was being employed to bribe the authorities; the principal
+witnesses against her had been got out of the way; she had
+(repeatedly and in divers ways) escaped; finally, as she herself,
+with reference to these reports, complained--"It has been said that
+I am a wretched drunkard, a prophane swearer, that I never went to
+chapel, contemned all holy ordinances, and in short gave myself up
+to all kinds of immorality." The depositions of the witnesses before
+the coroner were published "by some of the Friends and Relations of
+the Family, in order to prevent the Publick from being any longer
+imposed on with fictitious Stories," but both Miss Blandy and Mr.
+Ford, her counsel, took great exception to this at the trial.
+Pamphlets, as we shall presently see, poured from the press, and
+even before she appeared at the bar the first instalments of a
+formidable library of _Blandyana_, had come into being.
+
+On Monday, 2nd March, 1752, the grand jury for the county of Oxford
+found a true bill against Mary Blandy. The Town Hall, where the
+Assizes were usually held, was "then rebuilding," and as the
+University authorities had refused the use of the Sheldonian
+Theatre, the trial was appointed to take place next morning in the
+beautiful hall of the Divinity School. Owing to the insertion
+overnight--by a mischievous undergraduate or other sympathiser with
+the day's heroine--of some obstacle in the keyhole, the door could
+not be opened, and the lock had to be forced, which delayed the
+proceedings for an hour. The judges meanwhile returned to their
+lodgings. This initial difficulty surmounted, at eight o'clock on
+Tuesday, 3rd March, Mary Blandy was placed at the bar to answer the
+grave charges made against her. There appeared for the Crown the
+Hon. Mr. Bathurst and Mr. Serjeant Hayward, assisted by the Hon. Mr.
+Barrington and Messrs. Hayes, Nares, and Ambler. The prisoner was
+defended by Mr. Ford, with whom were Messrs. Morton and Aston. The
+judges were the Hon. Heneage Legge and Sir Sidney Stafford Smythe,
+two of the Barons of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer.
+
+As the following pages contain a verbatim reprint of the official
+report of the trial, published by permission of the judges, it is
+only necessary here briefly to refer to the proceedings. The trial
+lasted thirteen hours. It is, says Mr. Ainsworth Mitchell, in his
+_Science and the Criminal_, "remarkable as being the first one of
+which there is any detailed record, in which convincing scientific
+proof of poisoning was given." The indictment charged the prisoner
+with the wilful murder of Francis Blandy by administering to him
+white arsenic at divers times (1) between 10th November, 1750, and
+5th August, 1751, in tea, and (2) between 5th and 14th August, 1751,
+in water gruel. The prisoner pleaded not guilty, a jury was duly
+sworn, and the indictment having been opened by Mr. Barrington,
+Bathurst began his address for the Crown. Though promoted later to
+the highest judicial office, he has been described as "the least
+efficient Lord Chancellor of the eighteenth century." Lord Campbell,
+in his _Lives of the Chancellors_, says that Bathurst's address was
+much praised for its eloquence, and "as it certainly contains proof
+of good feeling, if not of high talent and refined taste," his
+lordship transcribes for the benefit of his readers certain of its
+purpler passages. It was deemed worthy, at the time, of publication
+in separate form, with highly eulogistic notes, wherein we read that
+by its eloquent appeal both judges and counsel "were moved to mourn,
+nay, to weep like tenderest infants." The prisoner, however, heard
+it dry-eyed, nor will its effect be more melting for the modern
+reader. At the outset the learned counsel observed, with reference
+to the heinous nature of the crime, that he was not surprised "at
+this vast concourse of people collected together," from which it
+appears there were few vacant seats that morning in the Divinity
+School. Space will not permit us to accompany the future Lord
+Chancellor through his "most affecting oration," which presents the
+case for the Crown with moderation and fairness, and concludes with
+a tribute to the "indefatigable diligence" of the Earl of
+Macclesfield and Lord Cadogan "in inquiring into this hidden work of
+darkness." He was followed by Serjeant Hayward, who, employing a
+more rhetorical and florid style, was probably better appreciated by
+the audience, but added little to the jury's knowledge of the facts.
+In an "improving" passage he besought "the young gentlemen of this
+University," who seem to have been well represented, to guard
+against the first insidious approaches of vice. "See here," said he,
+"the dreadful consequences of disobedience to a parent."
+
+We need not examine in detail the evidence led for the prosecution;
+from the foregoing narrative the reader already knows its main
+outlines and may study it at large in the following report. The
+Crown case opened with the medical witnesses, Drs. Addington and
+Lewis, and Mr. Norton, who clearly established the fact that arsenic
+was the cause of Mr. Blandy's death, that arsenic was present in the
+remains of his gruel, and that arsenic was the powder which the
+prisoner had attempted to destroy. The appearance of Mrs. Mounteney
+in the witness-box occasioned the only display of feeling exhibited
+by the accused throughout the whole trial. This lady was her
+godmother, and as she left the Court after giving her evidence, she
+clasped her god-child by the hand, exclaiming "God bless you!" For
+the moment Mary's brilliant black eyes filled with tears, but after
+drinking a glass of wine and water, she resumed her air of stoical
+indifference.
+
+Susan Gunnell, "wore down to a Skelliton" by the effects of her
+curiosity, but sufficiently recovered to come into Court, was the
+principal witness for the prosecution. In addition to the material
+facts which we have before narrated, Susan deposed that the prisoner
+often spoke of her father as "an old villain," and wished for his
+death, and had complained that she was "very awkward," for, if he
+were dead, "she would go to Scotland and live with Lady Cranstoun."
+Susan gave her evidence with perfect fairness, and showed no animus
+against her former mistress. Equal in importance was the testimony
+of Betty Binfield, which, perhaps, is more open to Miss Blandy's
+objection as being "inspired with vindictive sentiments." When
+communicating to the maids Mrs. Morgan's prophecy regarding the
+duration of their master's life, the prisoner, said witness,
+expressed herself glad, "for that then she would soon be released
+from all her fatigues, and be happy." She was wont to curse her
+father, calling him "rascal and villain," and on one occasion had
+remarked, "Who would grudge to send an old father to hell for
+L10,000?" "Exactly them words," added the scrupulous cook, though in
+this instance her zeal had probably got the better of her memory. In
+cross-examination Betty was asked whether she had any ill-will
+against her mistress. "I always told her I wished her very well,"
+was the diplomatic reply. "Did you," continued the prisoner's
+counsel, "ever say, 'Damn her for a black bitch! I should be glad to
+see her go up the ladder and be hanged'"? but Betty indignantly
+denied the utterance of any such ungenteel expressions.
+
+The account given by this witness of the admissions made by her
+mistress to Dr. Addington in her presence led to the recall of that
+gentleman, who, in his former evidence, had not referred to the
+matter. The prisoner's counsel invited Dr. Addington to say that
+Miss Blandy's anxiety proceeded solely from concern for her father;
+the doctor excused himself from expressing any opinion, but, being
+indiscreetly pressed to do so, said that her agitation struck him as
+due entirely to fears for herself: he saw no tokens of grief for her
+father. On re-examination, it appeared that the doctor had attended
+professionally both Susan Gunnell and Ann Emmet; their symptoms, in
+his opinion, were those of arsenical poisoning. Alice Emmet was next
+called to speak to her mother's illness, the old charwoman herself
+being in no condition to come to Court. Littleton, old Blandy's
+clerk, gave his evidence with manifest regret, but had to admit that
+he frequently heard Miss Blandy curse her parent by the unfilial
+names of rogue, villain, and "toothless old dog." Harman, the
+footman, to whom Mary had offered the L500 bribe, and Mr. Fisher and
+Mr. and Mrs. Lane, who spoke to the incidents at the Angel Inn on
+the day of her attempted flight, were the other witnesses examined;
+the intercepted letter to Cranstoun was put in, and the Crown case
+closed.
+
+According to the practice of the time, the prisoner's counsel, while
+allowed to examine their own, and cross-examine the prosecutor's
+witnesses, were not permitted to address the jury. Mary Blandy
+therefore now rose to make the speech in her own defence. Probably
+prepared for her beforehand, it merely enumerates the various
+injustices and misrepresentations of which she considered herself
+the victim. She made little attempt to refute the damning evidence
+against her, and concluded by protesting her innocence of her
+father's death; that she thought the powder "an inoffensive thing,"
+and gave it to procure his love. In this she was well advised, for
+she was shrewd enough to see that upon the question of her knowledge
+of the quality and effect of the powder the verdict would turn.
+
+[Illustration: Miss Blandy
+(_From a Mezzotint by T. Ryley after L. Wilson, in the Collection of
+Mr. A.M. Broadley_.)]
+
+Eight witnesses were called for the defence. Ann James, who washed
+for the family, stated that before Mr. Blandy's illness there was "a
+difference between Elizabeth Binfield and Miss Blandy, and Binfield
+was to go away." After Mary's removal to Oxford gaol (Saturday, 17th
+August), the witness heard Betty one day in the kitchen make use of
+the unparliamentary language already quoted. Mary Banks deposed that
+she was present at the time, and heard the words spoken. "It was the
+night Mr. Blandy was opened" (Thursday, 15th August); she was sure
+of that; Miss Blandy was then in the house. Betty Binfield, recalled
+and confronted with this evidence, persisted in her denial, but
+admitted the existence of "a little quarrel" with her mistress.
+Edward Herne, Mary's old admirer, gave her a high character as an
+affectionate, dutiful daughter. He was in the house as often as four
+times a week and never heard her swear an oath or speak a
+disrespectful word of her father. In cross-examination the witness
+admitted that in August, 1750, Miss Blandy told him that Cranstoun
+had put powder in her father's tea. He had visited her in prison,
+and on one occasion, a report having reached her that "the Captain
+was taken," she wrung her hands and said, "I hope in God it is true,
+that he may be brought to justice as well as I, and that he may
+suffer the punishment due to his crime, as I shall do for mine."
+Here for the first time the prisoner intervened. Her questions were
+directed to bring out that she had told Herne on the occasion
+mentioned that no "damage" resulted upon Cranstoun's use of the
+powder, from which fact she inferred its effects harmless, and that
+the "suffering" spoken of by her had reference to her imprisonment,
+though guiltless. For the rest, Thomas Cawley and Thomas Staverton,
+friends of Mr. Blandy for upwards of twenty years, spoke to the
+happy relations which to their knowledge subsisted between father
+and daughter. On her last visit to Staverton's house, Mary had
+remarked that, although her father "had many wives laid out for
+him," he would not marry till she was "settled." Mrs. Davis, the
+landlady of the Angel, and Robert Stoke, the officer who took the
+prisoner into custody, said that Miss Blandy did not then appear to
+them to be attempting night. This concluded the exculpatory
+evidence. For the defence, Mr. Ford protested against the
+"unjustifiable and illegal methods" used to prejudice his client,
+such as the publication of the proceedings at the inquest, and,
+particularly, the "very scandalous reports" concerning her,
+circulated since her commitment, to refute which he proposed to call
+"the reverend gentleman who had attended her," Parson Swinton. The
+Court, however, held that there was no need to do so, as the jury
+would entirely disregard anything not deposed to in Court. Mr.
+Bathurst replying for the Crown, maintained that it was proved to
+demonstration that Francis Blandy died of poison, put in his gruel
+upon the 5th of August by the prisoner's hand, as appeared not only
+from her own confession, but from all the evidence adduced. "Examine
+then, gentlemen," said the learned counsel, "whether it is possible
+she could do it ignorantly." In view of the great affection with
+which it was proved the dying man behaved to her, the prisoner's
+assertion that she gave him the powder "to make him love her" was
+incredible. She knew what effects the poisoned gruel produced upon
+him on the Monday and Tuesday, yet she would have given him more of
+it on the Wednesday. Having pointed out that, when she must have
+known the nature of the powder, she endeavoured to destroy it,
+instead of telling the physicians what she had given her father,
+which might have been the means of saving his life, counsel
+commented on the terms of the intercepted letter to Cranstoun as
+wholly inconsistent with her innocence. Further, he remarked on the
+contradiction as to dates in the evidence of the witnesses who
+reported Betty Binfield's forcible phrase, which, he contended, was
+in fact never uttered by her. Finally, he endorsed the censure of
+the prisoner's counsel upon the spreaders of the scandalous reports,
+which he asked the jury totally to disregard. On the conclusion of
+Bathurst's reply, the prisoner made the following statement:--"It is
+said I gave it [the powder] my father to make him fond of me: there
+was no occasion for that--but to make him fond of Cranstoun."
+
+Mr. Baron Legge then proceeded to charge the jury. The manner in
+which his lordship reviewed the evidence and his exposition of its
+import and effect, indeed his whole conduct of the trial, have been
+well described as affording a favourable impression of his ability,
+impartiality, and humanity. He proceeded in the good old fashion,
+going carefully over the whole ground of the evidence, of which his
+notes appear to have been excellent; and after some general remarks
+upon the atrocity of the crime charged, and the nature and weight of
+circumstantial evidence--"more convincing and satisfactory than any
+other kind of evidence, because facts cannot lie"--observed that it
+was undeniable that Mr. Blandy died by poison administered to him by
+the prisoner at the bar: "What you are to try is reduced to this
+single question, whether the prisoner, at the time she gave it to
+her father, knew that it was poison, and what effect it would have?"
+If they believed that she did know, they must find her guilty; if,
+in view of her general character, the evidence led for the defence,
+and what she herself had said, they were not satisfied that she
+knew, then they would acquit her. The jury, without retiring,
+consulted for five minutes and returned a verdict of guilty. Mr.
+Baron Legge, having in dignified and moving terms exhorted the
+unhappy woman to repentance, then pronounced the inevitable sentence
+of the law--"That you are to be carried to the place of execution
+and there hanged by the neck until you are dead; and may God, of His
+infinite mercy, receive your soul."
+
+It was nine o'clock at night; for thirteen mortal hours Mary Blandy
+had watched unflinchingly the "interesting game played by counsel
+with her life for stakes"; the "game" was over, and hers was the
+losing side; yet no sign of fear or agitation was manifested by that
+strange woman as she rose for the last time to address her judge.
+"My lord," said she, "as your lordship has been so good to show so
+much candour and impartiality in the course of my trial, I have one
+favour more to beg; which is, that your lordship would please to
+allow me a little time till I can settle my affairs and make my
+peace with God"; to which Mr. Baron Legge feelingly replied, "To be
+sure, you shall have a proper time allowed you." So, amid the tense
+stillness of the crowded "house," the curtain fell upon the great
+fourth act of the tragedy of "The Fair Parricide."
+
+On leaving the hall to be taken back to prison, Mary Blandy, we
+read, "stepped into the Coach with as little Concern as if she had
+been going to a Ball"--the eighteenth century reporter anticipating
+by a hundred years his journalistic successor's phrase as to the
+demeanour of Madeleine Smith in similar trying circumstances. The
+result of the trial had preceded her to Oxford Castle, where she
+found the keeper's family "in some Disorder, the Children being all
+in Tears" at the fatal news. "Don't mind it," said their indomitable
+guest, "What does it signify? I am very hungry; pray, let me have
+something for supper as speedily as possible"; and our reporter
+proceeds to spoil his admirable picture by condescending upon
+"Mutton Chops and an Apple Pye."
+
+The six weeks allowed her to prepare for death were all too short for
+the correspondence and literary labours in which she presently became
+involved. On 7th March "a Reverend Divine of Henley-upon-Thames,"
+probably, from other evidence, the Rev. William Stockwood, rector of
+the parish, addressed to her a letter, exhorting her to confession and
+repentance. To this Miss Blandy replied on the 9th, maintaining that
+she had acted innocently. "There is an Account," she tells him, "as
+well as I was able to write, which I sent to my Uncle in London, that
+I here send you." Copies of these letters, and of the narrative
+referred to, are printed in the Appendix. She sends her "tenderest
+wishes" to her god-mother, Mrs. Mounteney, and trusts that she will be
+able to "serve" her with the Bishop of Winchester, apparently in the
+matter of a reprieve, of which Mary is said to have had good hope, by
+reason that she had once the honour of dancing with the late Prince of
+Wales--"Fred, who was alive and is dead." "Pray comfort poor Ned
+Herne," she writes, "and tell him I have the same friendship for him
+as ever." She asks that her letter and its enclosure be returned, as,
+being in her own handwriting, they may be of service to her character
+after her death. The object of this request was speedily apparent; on
+20th March the whole documents were published under the title of _A
+Letter from a Clergyman, to Miss Mary Blandy, &c._, with a note by the
+publisher intimating that, for the satisfaction of the public, the
+original MS. was left with him. The fair authoress having thus fired
+the first shot, a fusilade of pamphlets began--the spent bullets are
+collected in the Bibliography--which, for volume and verbosity, is
+entitled to honourable mention in the annals of tractarian strife. _An
+Answer to Miss Blandy's Narrative_ quickly followed upon the other
+side, in which, it is claimed, "all the Arguments she has advanc'd in
+Justification of her Innocence are fully refuted, and her Guilt
+clearly and undeniably prov'd." This was promptly met by _The Case of
+Miss Blandy considered, as a Daughter, as a Gentlewoman, and as a
+Christian_, with particular reference to her own _Narrative_, the
+author of which is better versed in classical analogies than in the
+facts of the case. Mary herself mentions a pamphlet, which she cites
+as _The Life of Miss Mary Blandy_, and attributes to "a French usher."
+This may have been one of the 1751 tracts containing accounts "of that
+most horrid Parricide," the title of which she deemed too indelicate
+for exact citation, or, perhaps, an earlier edition of _A Genuine and
+Impartial Account of the Life of Miss Mary Blandy_, &c., the copy of
+which in the Editor's possession, including an account of the
+execution, was published on 9th April, three days after the completion
+of that ceremony.
+
+The last literary effort of Mary Blandy was an expansion of her
+_Narrative_, re-written in more detail and at much greater length,
+the revised version appearing on 18th April under the title of _Miss
+Mary Blandy's Own Account of the Affair between her and Mr.
+Cranstoun_, "from the commencement of their Acquaintance in the year
+1746 to the Death of her Father in August, 1751, with all the
+Circumstances leading to that unhappy Event." This ingenious, rather
+than ingenuous, compilation was, it is said, prepared with the
+assistance of Parson Swinton, who had some previous experience of
+pamphleteering on his own account in 1739. Mr. Horace Bleackley has
+happily described it as "The most famous apologia in criminal
+literature," and as such it is reprinted in the present volume. Even
+this _tour de force_ failed to convince a sceptical world, and on
+15th April was published _A Candid Appeal to the Publick_ concerning
+her case, by "a Gentleman of Oxford," wherein "All the ridiculous
+and false Assertions" contained in Miss Blandy's _Own Account_ "are
+exploded, and the Whole of that Mysterious Affair set in a True
+Light." But by this time the fair disputant was beyond the reach of
+controversy, and the Oxford gentleman had it all his own way; though
+the pamphleteers kept the discussion alive a year longer than its
+subject.
+
+An instructive feature of Mary's literary activities during her last
+days is her correspondence with Elizabeth Jeffries. "That unsavoury
+person" was, with her paramour, John Swan, convicted at Chelmsford
+Assizes on 12th March, 1752, of the murder at Walthamstow, on 3rd
+July, of one Joseph Jeffries, respectively uncle and master to his
+slayers. Elizabeth induced John to kill the old gentleman, who,
+aware of their intrigue, had threatened, as the Crown counsel neatly
+phrased it, "to alter his will, if she did not alter her conduct."
+This unpleasant case, as was, perhaps, in the circumstances,
+natural, attracted the attention of Miss Blandy. She read with much
+interest the report of the trial. "It is barbarous," was her
+comment--for, in truth, the murder was a sordid business, and sadly
+lacking in "style"--"but I am sorry for her, and hope she will have
+a good divine to attend her in her last moments, if possible a
+second Swinton, for, poor unhappy girl, I pity her." These
+sentiments shocked a lady visitor then present, who, expressing the
+opinion that all such inhuman wretches should suffer as they
+deserved, withdrew in dudgeon. Mary smilingly remarked, "I can't
+bear with these over-virtuous women. I believe if ever the devil
+picks a bone, it is one of theirs!" But the murderess of Walthamstow
+had somehow struck her fancy, and she wrote to her fellow-convict to
+express her sympathy. That young lady suitably replied, and the
+ensuing correspondence (7th January-19th March, 1752), published
+under the title of _Genuine Letters between Miss Blandy and Miss
+Jeffries_, if we may believe the description, is highly remarkable.
+At first Elizabeth asserted her innocence as stoutly as did Mary
+herself, but afterwards she acknowledged her guilt. Whereupon Mary,
+more in sorrow than in anger, wrote to her on 16th March for the
+last time. "Your deceiving of me was a small crime; it was deceiving
+yourself: for no retreat, tho' ever so pleasant, no diversions, no
+company, no, not Heaven itself, could have made you happy with those
+crimes unrepented of in your breast." So, with the promise to be "a
+suitor for her at the Throne of Mercy," Miss Blandy intimated that
+the correspondence must close; and on the 28th Miss Jeffries duly
+paid the penalty of her crime.
+
+In _A Book of Scoundrels_, that improving and delightful work, Mr.
+Charles Whibley has, well observed: "A stern test of artistry is the
+gallows. Perfect behaviour at an enforced and public scrutiny may
+properly be esteemed an effect of talent--an effect which has not
+too often been rehearsed." This high standard, the hall-mark of the
+artist in crime, Mary Blandy admittedly attained. The execution,
+originally fixed for Saturday, 4th April, was postponed until
+Monday, the 6th, by request of the University authorities, who
+represented that to conduct such a ceremony during Holy Week "would
+be improper and unprecedented." The night before her end the doomed
+woman asked to see the scene of the morrow's tragedy, and looked out
+from one of the upper windows upon the gibbet, "opposite the door of
+the gaol, and made by laying a poll across upon the arms of two
+trees"--in her case "the fatal tree" had a new and very real
+significance; then she turned away, remarking only that it was "very
+high." At nine o'clock on Monday morning, attended by Parson
+Swinton, and "dress'd in a black crape sack, with her arms and hands
+ty'd with black paduasoy ribbons," Mary Blandy was led out to her
+death. About the two trees with, their ominous "poll" a crowd of
+silent spectators was assembled on the Castle Green, to whom, in
+accordance with the etiquette of the day, she made her "dying
+declaration"--to wit, that she was guiltless of her father's blood,
+though the innocent cause of his death, and that she did not "in the
+least contribute" to that of her mother or of Mrs. Pocock. This she
+swore upon her salvation; which only shows, says Lord Campbell, who
+was convinced of her guilt, "the worthlessness of the dying
+declarations of criminals, and the absurdity of the practice of
+trying to induce them to confess." We shall not dwell upon the
+shocking spectacle--the curious will find a contemporary account in
+the Appendix--but one characteristic detail may be mentioned. As she
+was climbing the fatal ladder, covered, for the occasion, with black
+cloth, she stopped, and addressing the celebrants of that grim
+ritual, "Gentlemen," said she, "do not hang me high, for the sake of
+decency."
+
+Mary Blandy was but just in time to make so "genteel" an end. That
+very year (1752), owing to the alarming increase of murders, an Act
+was passed (25 Geo. II. c. 37) "for better preventing the Horrid
+Crime of Murder," whereby persons condemned therefor should be
+executed on the next day but one after sentence, and their bodies be
+given to the Surgeons' Company at their Hall with a view to
+dissection, and also, in the discretion of the judge, be hanged in
+chains. The first person to benefit by the provisions of the new Act
+did so on 1st July. But although Mary Blandy's body escaped these
+legal indignities, as neither coffin nor hearse had been prepared
+for its reception, it was carried through the crowd on the shoulders
+of one of the Sheriff's men, and deposited for some hours in his
+house. There suitable arrangements were made, and at one o'clock in
+the morning of Tuesday, 7th April, 1752, the body, by her own
+request, was buried in the chancel of Henley Parish Church, between
+those of her father and mother, when, notwithstanding the untimely
+hour, "there was assembled the greatest concourse of people ever
+known upon such an occasion." Henley Church has been "restored"
+since Mary's day, and there is now no indication of the grave,
+which, as the present rector courteously informs the Editor, is
+believed to be beneath the organ, in the north choir aisle.
+
+_Apropos_ to Mary Blandy's death, "Elia" has a quaint anecdote of
+Samuel Salt, one of the "Old Benchers of the Inner Temple." This
+gentleman, notable for his maladroit remarks, was bidden to dine
+with a relative of hers (doubtless Mr. Serjeant Stevens) on the day
+of the execution--not, one would think, a suitable occasion for
+festivity. Salt was warned beforehand by his valet to avoid all
+allusion to the subject, and promised to be specially careful.
+During the pause preliminary to the announcing of dinner, however,
+"he got up, looked out of window, and pulling down his ruffles--an
+ordinary motion with him--observed, 'it was a gloomy day,' and
+added, 'I suppose Miss Blandy must be hanged by this time.'"
+
+The reader may care to know what became of Cranstoun. That "unspeakable
+Scot," it has regretfully to be recorded, was never made amenable to
+earthly justice. He was, indeed, the subject of at least four
+biographies, but human retribution followed him no further. Extracts
+from one of these "Lives" are, for what they are worth, printed in the
+Appendix, together with his posthumous _Account of the Poisoning of
+the late Mr. Francis Blandy_, a counterblast to Mary's masterpiece.
+This tract includes the text of three letters, alleged to have been
+written by her to her lover, and dated respectively 30th June, 16th
+July, and 1st August, 1751; but as, after his death, all his papers
+were, by order of Lord Cranstoun, sealed up and sent to his lordship
+in Scotland, who, in the circumstances, was little likely to part with
+them, it does not appear how these particular manuscripts came into
+the "editor's" possession. But, in that age of literary marvels,
+nothing need surprise us: a publisher actually issued as genuine the
+_Original Letters to and from Miss Blandy and C---- C----_, though the
+fact that Cranstoun's half of the correspondence had been destroyed by
+Mary Blandy was then a matter of common knowledge. In all these
+pamphlets, Cranstoun, while admitting his complicity in her crime,
+with, characteristic gallantry casts most of the blame upon his dead
+mistress. For the rest, he seems to have passed the brief remainder of
+his days in cheating as many of his fellow-sinners as, in the short
+time at his disposal, could reasonably be expected.
+
+A hitherto unpublished letter from Henry Fox at the War Office, to
+Mr. Pitt, then Paymaster General, dated 14th March, 1752, is, by
+kind permission of Mr. A.M. Broadley, printed in the Appendix.
+After referring to Mary's conviction, the writer intimates that
+Cranstoun, "a reduc'd first Lieut. of Sir Andrew Agnew's late Regt.
+of Marines, now on the British Establishment of Half-Pay, was
+charged with contriving the manner of sd. Miss Blandy's Poisoning
+her Father and being an Abettor therein; and he having absconded
+from the time of her being comitted for the above Fact, I am
+commanded to signify to you it is His Majesty's Pleasure that the
+sd. Lieutenant Wm. Henry Cranstoune be struck off the sd.
+Establishment of Half-Pay, and that you do not issue any Moneys
+remaining in your Hands due to the sd. Lieut. Cranstoune." This
+shows the view taken by the Government of the part played by
+Cranstoun in the tragedy of Henley.
+
+There will also be found in the Appendix an extract from, a letter
+from Dunkirk, published in the _London Magazine_ for February, 1753,
+containing what appears to be a reliable account of the last days of
+Mary Blandy's lover; the particulars given are in general agreement
+with those contained in the various "Lives" above mentioned. Obliged
+to fly from France, where he had been harboured by one Mrs. Ross,
+his kinswoman, whose maiden name of Dunbar he had prudently assumed,
+he sought refuge in Flanders. Furnes, "a town belonging to the Queen
+of Hungary," had the dubious distinction of being selected by him as
+an asylum. There, on 2nd December, 1752, "at the sign of the
+Burgundy Cross," after a short illness, accompanied, it is
+satisfactory to note, with "great agonies," the Hon. William Henry
+Cranstoun finally ceased from troubling in the thirty-ninth year of
+his age. His personal belongings, "consisting chiefly of Laced and
+Embroidered Waistcoats," were sold to pay his debts. On his deathbed
+he was received into the Roman Catholic Church. The occasion of so
+notable a conversion was fittingly marked by the magnificence of his
+obsequies. "He was buried," we read, "in great solemnity, the
+Corporation attending the funeral; and a grand Mass was said over
+the corpse in the Cathedral Church, which, was finely illuminated."
+The impressive ceremonial would have gratified vainglorious Mr.
+Blandy had circumstances permitted his presence.
+
+Some account of the descendants of Cranstoun is given in a letter by
+John Riddell, the Scots genealogist, hitherto unpublished, which is
+printed in the Appendix. George Cranstoun, Lord Corehouse,
+Cranstoun's nephew, was afterwards an eminent Scottish judge.
+
+A word as to the guilt of Mary Blandy and her accomplice, which, in
+the opinion of some writers, is not beyond dispute. The question of
+motive in such cases is generally a puzzling one, and in the
+commission of many murders the end to be gained, always inadequate,
+often remains obscure. Barely does the motive--unlike the punishment
+which it was the sublime object of Mr. Gilbert's "Mikado" equitably
+to adjust--"fit the crime." Mary was well aware that she could not
+be Cranstoun's lawful wife, but hers was not a nature to shrink from
+the less regular union. Her passion for him was irresistible; she
+had ample proof of his chronic infidelity, but, in her blind
+infatuation, such "spots" upon the sun of her affection, were
+disregarded. She knew that, but for the L10,000 bait, her crafty
+lover would surely play her false; her father was sick of the whole
+affair, and if she went off with the captain, would doubtless
+disinherit her. As for that "honourable" gentleman himself, the
+inducement to get possession of her L10,000, the beginning and end
+of his connection with the Blandys, sufficiently explains his
+purpose. Was not the spirit of his family motto, "Thou shalt want
+ere I want," ever his guiding light and principle, and would such a
+man so circumstanced hesitate to resort to a crime which he could
+induce another to commit and, if necessary, suffer for, while he
+himself reaped the benefit in safety? Had he succeeded in securing
+both his mistress and her fortune, Mary's last state would, not
+improbably, have been worse than her first.
+
+So much for the "motive," which presents little difficulty. Then,
+with regard to the question whether, on the assumption of his guilt,
+Mary Blandy was the intelligent agent of Cranstoun or his innocent
+dupe, no one who has studied the evidence against her can entertain
+a reasonable doubt. Apart from the threatening and abusive language
+which she applied to her father, her whole attitude towards his last
+illness shows how false were her subsequent professions of
+affection. She herself has disposed of the suggestion that she
+really believed in the love-compelling properties of the magic
+powder, though such a belief was not inconceivable, as appears from
+the contemporary advertisement of a "Love Philtre," of which a copy
+is printed in the Appendix. She told her dying father that if he
+were injured by the powder, she was not to blame, as "it was given
+her with another intent." What that "intent" was she did not then
+explain, but later she informed Dr. Addington that it was to "make
+him [her father] kind" to Cranstoun and herself. In the speech which
+she delivered in her own defence she said, "I gave it to procure his
+love"; and again, on the conclusion of Bathurst's reply, "It is said
+I gave it my father to make him fond of me: there was no occasion
+for that--but to make him fond of Cranstoun." In her _Narrative_ she
+repeats this statement; but in her _Own Account_, written and
+revised by herself, she says, "I gave it to my poor father innocent
+of the effects it afterwards produced, God knows; _not so stupid as
+to believe it would have that desired, to make him kind to us_; but
+in obedience to Mr. Cranstoun, who ever seemed superstitious to the
+last degree." Here we have an entirely fresh (if no less false)
+reason assigned for the exhibition of the wise woman's drug; only,
+of course, another lie, but one which, disposes of her previous
+defence. Of the true qualities of the powder she had ample proof;
+she warned the maid that the gruel "might do for her," she saw its
+virulent effects upon Gunnell and Emmet, as well as on her father
+from its first administration, while her concealment of its use from
+the physician, and her destruction of the remanent portion, are
+equally incompatible with belief either in its innocence or her own.
+Finally, her burning of Cranstoun's letters, which, if her story was
+true, were her only means of confirming it, her attempts to bribe
+the servants, and her statements to Fisher and the Lanes at the
+Angel, afford, in Mr. Baron Legge's phrase, "a violent presumption"
+of her guilt.
+
+Cranstoun, even at the time, did not lack apologists, who held that
+Miss Blandy, herself the solo criminal, cunningly sought to involve
+her guileless lover in order to lessen her own guilt. This view has
+been endorsed by later authorities. Anderson, in his _Scottish
+Nation_, remarks, "There does not appear to have been any grounds
+for supposing that the captain was in any way accessory to the
+murder"; and Mr. T.F. Henderson, in his article on Cranstoun in the
+_Dictionary of National Biography_, observes, "Apart from her [Mary
+Blandy's] statement there was nothing to connect him with the
+murder." These writers seem to have overlooked the following
+important facts:--The letter written by Cranstoun to Mary, read by
+Bathurst in his opening speech, the terms of which plainly prove the
+writer's complicity; and the packet rescued from the fire, bearing
+in his autograph the words, "The powder to clean the pebbles with,"
+which, when we remember the nature of its contents, leaves small
+doubt of the sender's guilt. "A supposition," says Mr. Bleackley,
+"that does not explain [these] two damning circumstances must be
+baseless." The nocturnal manifestations experienced by Cranstoun,
+and interpreted by his friend Mrs. Morgan as presaging Mr. Blandy's
+death, must also be explained. Further, it would be interesting to
+know how the defenders of Cranstoun account for the warning given
+him by Mary in the intercepted letter--"Lest any accident should
+happen to your letters, _take care what you write_." That this was
+part of a subtle scheme to inculpate her lover will, in the
+circumstances, hardly be maintained. As Mr. Andrew Lang once
+remarked of a hypothesis equally untenable, "That cock won't fight."
+Would Cranstoun have fled as he did from justice, and gone into
+voluntary exile for life, when, if innocent, he had only to produce
+Mary's letters to him in proof of the blameless character of their
+correspondence? and why, when on his death those letters passed into
+Lord Cranstoun's custody, did not that nobleman publish them in
+vindication of his brother's honour, as he was directly challenged
+to do by a pamphleteer of the day? The Crown authorities, at any
+rate, as we have seen, did not share the opinion expressed by the
+writers above cited; and from what was said by Mr. Justice Buller,
+in the case of _George Barrington_ (Mich. 30 Geo. III., reported
+Term Rep. 499), it appears that Cranstoun, for his concern in the
+murder of Mr. Blandy, was prosecuted to outlawry, the learned judge
+observing with reference to the form adopted on that occasion, "It
+was natural to suppose groat care had been taken in settling it,
+because some of the most eminent gentlemen in the profession were
+employed in it."
+
+  "Alas! the record of her page will tell
+  That one thus madden'd, lov'd, and guilty fell.
+  Who hath not heard of Blandy's fatal fame,
+  Deplor'd her fate, and sorrow'd o'er her shame?"
+
+Thus the author of _Henley_: A Poem (Hickman & Stapledon, 1827);
+and, indeed, the frequent references to the case in the "literary
+remains" of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries bear witness to
+the justice of that poetic observation.
+
+The inimitable _Letters_ of Horace Walpole contain, as might be
+expected, more than one mention of this _cause celebre_. Writing on
+23rd March, 1752, to Horace Mann, he says, "There are two wretched
+women that just now are as much talked of [as the two Miss
+Gunnings], a Miss Jefferies and a Miss Blandy; the one condemned for
+murdering her uncle, the other her father. Both their stories have
+horrid circumstances; the first having been debauched by her uncle;
+the other had so tender a parent, that his whole concern while he
+was expiring, and knew her for his murderess, was to save her life.
+It is shocking to think what shambles this country is grown!
+Seventeen were executed this morning, after having murdered the
+turnkey on Friday night, and almost forced open Newgate. One is
+forced to travel, even at noon, as if one was going to battle." And
+again, on 13th May, "Miss Blandy died with a coolness of courage
+that is astonishing, and denying the fact, which has made a kind of
+party in her favour; as if a woman who would not stick at parricide
+would scruple a lie! We have made a law for immediate execution on
+conviction of murder: it will appear extraordinary to me if it has
+any effect; for I can't help believing that the terrible part of
+death must be the preparation for it." The "law" regarding summary
+executions to which Walpole refers is the Act already mentioned. To
+Henry Seymour Conway, on 23rd June, he writes, "Since the two Misses
+[Blandy and Jefferies] were hanged, and the two Misses [the
+beautiful Gunnings] were married, there is nothing at all talked
+of." On 28th August he writes to George Montague, "I have since been
+with Mr. Conway at Park Place, where I saw the individual Mr.
+Cooper, a banker, and lord of the manor of Henley, who had those two
+extraordinary forfeitures from the executions of the Misses Blandy
+and Jefferies, two fields from the former, and a malthouse from the
+latter. I had scarce credited the story, and was pleased to hear it
+confirmed by the very person: though it was not quite so remarkable
+as it was reported, for both forfeitures were in the same manor."
+This circumstance is noted in the _Annual Register_ for 1768, in
+connection with the death of Mr. Cooper, at the age of eighty. From
+the following references it would appear that the empty old house in
+Hart Street had acquired a sinister reputation. On 8th November
+Walpole writes to Conway, "Have the Coopers seen Miss Blandy's
+ghost, or have they made Mr. Cranston poison a dozen or two more
+private gentlewomen?"--the allusion being to the deaths of Mrs.
+Blandy and Mrs. Pocock; and again, on 4th August, 1753, to John
+Chute. "The town of Henley has been extremely disturbed with an
+engagement between the ghosts of Miss Blandy and her father, which
+continued so violent, that some bold persons, to prevent further
+bloodshed broke in, and found it was two jackasses which had got
+into the kitchen."
+
+[Illustration: Miss Mary Blandy in Oxford Castle Gaol
+(_From an Engraving in the British Museum_.)]
+
+Walpole barely exaggerates the wholesale legal butcheries by which
+the streets of London were then disgraced. "Many cartloads of our
+fellow-creatures are once in six weeks carried to slaughter," says
+Henry Fielding, in his _Enquiry_ (1751); and well has Mr. Whibley
+described the period as "Newgate's golden age." As for Tyburn Tree,
+we read in its _Annals_, for example, "1752. July 13. Eleven
+executed at Tyburn."
+
+We can only glance at one or two further instances of the diffusion
+of "Blandy's fatal fame." None of the varied forms of the _Newgate
+Calendar_--that criminous _Who's Who?_--fails to accord her suitable
+if inaccurate notice. With other letter-writers of the time than the
+genial Horace the case forms a topical subject. James Granger
+reports to a reverend correspondent that "the principal subject of
+conversation in these parts is the tragical affair transacted at
+Henley.... It is supposed, as there is no direct and absolute proof
+that she was guilty, and her friends are rich and have great
+interest, that she will escape punishment." To Mrs. Delany, writing
+the day after the execution, the popular heroine "appeared very
+guilty by her trial," but we learn that Lady Huntingdon had written
+a letter to Miss Blandy after her conviction. On 22nd April, 1752,
+Miss Talbot writes to Mrs. Carter, who thought Mary had been "too
+severely judged," that "her hardiness in guilt" was shocking to
+think of. "Let me tell you one fact that young Goosetree, the
+lawyer, told to the Bishop of Gloucester," she writes, with
+reference to Miss Blandy's repeated statement that she never
+believed her father a rich man. "This Goosetree visited her in jail
+as an old acquaintance. She expressed to him great amazement at her
+father's being no richer, and said she had no notion but he must
+have been worth L10,000. Mr. Goosetree prudently told her the less
+she said about that the better, and she never said it afterwards,
+but the contrary." Miss Talbot adds that certain letters in Lord
+Macclesfield's hands "falsify others of her affirmations." By 5th
+May, 1753, Mrs. Delany writes, "We are now very full of talk about
+Eliza Canning."
+
+As time goes on the tragedy of Henley, though gradually becoming a
+tradition, is still susceptible of current allusion. John Wilkes,
+writing from Bath to his daughter on 3rd January, 1779, regarding a
+lady of their acquaintance who proposed to keep house for a certain
+doctor, remarks "that he is sure it could not have lasted long, for
+she would have poisoned him, as Miss Blandy did her father, and
+forged a will in her own favour"; but Tate Wilkinson, in his
+_Memoirs_, observes, "Elizabeth Canning, Mary Squires, the gipsy,
+and Miss Blandy were such universal topics in 1752 that you would
+have supposed it the business of mankind to talk only of them; yet
+now, in 1790, ask a young man of twenty-five or thirty a question
+relative to these extraordinary personages, and he will be puzzled
+to answer, and will say, 'What mean you by enquiring? I do not
+understand you,'" So quickly had the "smarts" of the new generation
+forgotten the "fair Blandy" of their fathers' toasts. To make an end
+of such quotations, which might indefinitely be multiplied, we shall
+only refer the reader to Lady Russell's _Three Generations of
+Fascinating Women_ (London: 1901), for good reading _passim_, and
+with special reference to her account of the interest taken in the
+case by Lady Ailesbury of Park Place, who "was related to the
+instigator of the crime," and, believing in Mary's innocence, used
+all her influence to obtain a pardon. To Mr. Horace Bleackley's
+brilliant study of the case we have already in the Preface referred.
+
+It may, in closing, be worth while to remind the student of such
+matters that the year with which we have had so much concern was in
+other respects an important one in the annals of crime. On 14th May,
+1752, the "Red Fox," Glenure, fell by an assassin's bullet in the
+wood of Lettermore, which fact resulted in the hanging of a
+guiltless gentleman and, in after years, more happily inspired an
+immortal tale; while on 1st January, 1753, occurred the
+disappearance of Elizabeth Canning, that bewildering damsel whose
+mission it was to baffle her contemporaries and to set at nought the
+skill of subsequent inquirers.
+
+Well, we have learned all that history and tradition has to tell us
+about Mary Blandy; but what do we really know of that sombre soul
+that sinned and suffered and passed to its appointed place so long
+ago? A few "facts," some "circumstances"--which, if we may believe
+the dictum of Mr. Baron Legge, cannot lie; and yet she remains for
+us dark and inscrutable as in her portrait, where she sits calmly in
+her cell, preparing her false _Account_ for the misleading of future
+generations. Like her French "parallel," Marie-Madeleine de
+Brinvilliers, like that other Madeleine of Scottish fame, she leaves
+us but a catalogue of ambiguous acts; her secret is still her own.
+If only she had been the creature of some great novelist's fancy,
+how intimately should we then have known all that is hidden from us
+now; imagine her made visible for us through the exquisite medium of
+Mr. Henry James's incomparable art--the subtle individual threads
+all cunningly combined, the pattern wondrously wrought, the colours
+delicately and exactly shaded, until, in the rich texture of the
+finished tapestry, the figure of the woman as she lived stood
+perfectly revealed.
+
+
+
+
+Leading Dates In the Blandy Case.
+
+
+1744.
+
+  22 May--Marriage of Cranstoun and Anne Murray.
+
+1745.
+
+  19 February--Birth of their daughter.
+
+1746.
+
+  August--Cranstoun meets Mary Blandy at Lord Mark Kerr's.
+
+  October--Mrs. Cranstoun takes proceedings in Commissary Court.
+
+1747.
+
+  August--Second meeting of Cranstoun and Mary. Cranstoun visits the
+      Blandys and stays six months.
+
+1748.
+
+  January--Cranstoun returns to London.
+
+  1 March--Cranstoun's marriage upheld by the Commissary Court.
+
+  May--Mrs. Blandy's illness at Turville Court. Cranstoun pays a
+      second six-months' visit to the Blandys.
+
+  December--Cranstoun's regiment "broke" at Southampton. He returns
+      to London.
+
+1749.
+
+  March--Mrs. Blandy and Mary visit Mr. Sergeant Stevens in Doctors'
+      Commons.
+
+  28 September--Mrs. Blandy taken ill after her return home.
+
+  30 September--Death of Mrs. Blandy.
+
+1750.
+
+  August--Cranstoun returns to Henley. Puts powder in Mr. Blandy's tea.
+
+  October--Cranstoun professes to hear nocturnal music, &c.
+
+  November--Cranstoun leaves Henley for the last time.
+
+1751.
+
+  April--Cranstoun writes from Scotland to Mary that he has seen Mrs.
+      Morgan and will send powder with pebbles.
+
+  June--Powder and pebbles received by Mary, with directions to put
+      the powder in tea. Mr. Blandy becomes unwell. Gunnell and Emmet
+      ill after drinking his tea.
+
+  18 July--Cranstoun writes to Mary suggesting she should put the
+      powder in gruel.
+
+  4 August--Gunnell makes gruel in pan by Mary's orders.
+
+  5 August--Mary seen stirring gruel in pantry.  Mr. Blandy taken
+      seriously ill in the night.
+
+  6 August--Mr. Norton, the apothecary, called in. Gruel warmed
+      for Mr. Blandy's supper.
+
+  7 August--Emmet eats what was left the night before, and is taken
+      ill. Mary orders the remains of the gruel to be warmed. Gunnell
+      and Binfield notice white sediment in pan and lock it up.
+
+  8 August--Gunnell and Binfield take pan to Mrs. Mounteney, who
+      delivers it to Mr. Norton.
+
+  9 August--Mr. Stevens, of Fawley, arrives and hears suspicions.
+
+  10 August--Gunnell tells Mr. Blandy of suspicions. Mary burns
+      papers and packet. Dr. Addington called in.
+
+  11 August--Pan and packet given to Dr. Addington. He warns Mary.
+      Her letter to Cranstoun intercepted.
+
+  12 August--Last interview between Mary and her father.
+
+  13 August--Mr. Blandy worse. Dr. Lewis called in. Mary confined to
+      her room.
+
+  14 August--Death of Mr. Blandy. Mary attempts to bribe Harmon and
+      Binfield to effect her escape.
+
+  15 August--Flight of Mary. Coroner's inquest. Mary apprehended.
+
+  17 August--Mary removed to Oxford Castle.
+
+  4 September--Cranstoun escapes to Calais.
+
+1752.
+
+  2 March--Grand Jury find a True Bill against Mary Blandy.
+
+  3 March--Trial at Oxford Assizes. Prisoner convicted and sentenced
+      to death.
+
+  6 March--Execution of Mary Blandy.
+
+  2 December--Death of Cranstoun.
+
+
+
+
+THE TRIAL
+
+AT THE ASSIZES HELD AT OXFORD FOR THE COUNTY OF OXFORD.
+
+TUESDAY, 3RD MARCH, 1752.
+
+
+_Judges_--
+
+THE HONOURABLE HENEAGE LEGGE, ESQ., AND SIR SYDNEY STAFFORD SMYTHE,
+KNT., Two of the Barons of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer.
+
+_Counsel for the Crown_--
+
+The Honourable Mr. BATHURST.
+Mr. Serjeant HAYWARD.
+The Honourable Mr. BARRINGTON.
+Mr. HAYES.
+Mr. NARES.
+Mr. AMBLER.
+
+_Counsel for the Prisoner_--
+
+Mr. FORD.
+Mr. MORTON.
+Mr. ASTON.
+
+
+The Indictment.
+
+On Monday, the 2nd of March, 1752, a bill of indictment was found by
+the grand inquest for the county of Oxford against Mary Blandy,
+spinster, for the murder of Francis Blandy, late of the parish of
+Henley-upon-Thames, in the said county, gentleman.
+
+On Tuesday, the 3rd of March, 1752, the Court being met, the
+prisoner Mary Blandy was set to the bar, when the Court proceeded
+thus--
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--Mary Blandy, hold up thy hand. [Which she
+did.] You stand indicted by the name of Mary Blandy, late of the
+parish of Henley-upon-Thames, in the county of Oxford, spinster,
+daughter of Francis Blandy, late of the same place, gentleman,
+deceased, for that you, not having the fear of God before your eyes,
+but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, and of
+your malice aforethought, contriving and intending, him the said
+Francis Blandy, your said late father, in his lifetime, to deprive
+of his life, and him feloniously to kill and murder on the 10th day
+of November, in the twenty-third year of the reign of our sovereign
+lord George the Second, now King of Great Britain, and on divers
+days and times between the said 10th day of November and the 5th day
+of August, in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of His said
+Majesty, with force and arms, at the parish of Henley-upon-Thames
+aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, did knowingly, wilfully, and
+feloniously, and of your malice aforethought, mix and mingle certain
+deadly poison, to wit, white arsenic, in certain tea, which had been
+at divers times during the time above specified prepared for the use
+of the said Francis Blandy to be drank by him; you, the said Mary,
+then and there well knowing that the said tea, with which you did so
+mix and mingle the said deadly poison as aforesaid, was then and
+there prepared for the use of the said Francis Blandy, with intent
+to be then and there administered to him for his drinking the same;
+and the said tea with which the said poison was so mixed as
+aforesaid, afterwards, to wit, on the said 10th day of November and
+on the divers days and times aforesaid, at Henley-upon-Thames
+aforesaid, was delivered to the said Francis, to be then and there
+drank by him; and the said Francis Blandy, not knowing the said
+poison to have been mixed with the said tea, did afterwards, to wit,
+on the said 10th day of November and on the said divers days and
+times aforesaid, there drink and swallow several quantities of the
+said poison so mixed as aforesaid with the said tea; and that you
+the said Mary Blandy might more speedily kill and murder the said
+Francis Blandy, you the said Mary Blandy, on the said 5th day of
+August and at divers other days and times between the said 5th day
+of August and the 14th day of August, in the twenty-fifth year of
+the reign of our said sovereign lord George the Second, now King of
+Great Britain, &c., with force and arms, at the parish of
+Henley-upon-Thames aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, did
+knowingly, wilfully, feloniously, and of your malice aforethought,
+mix and mingle certain deadly poisons, to wit, white arsenic, with
+certain water gruel, which had been made and prepared for the use of
+your said then father, the said Francis Blandy, to be drank by him,
+you the said Mary then and there well knowing that the said water
+gruel, with which you did so mix and mingle the said deadly poison
+as aforesaid, was then and there made for the use of the said
+Francis Blandy, with intent to be then and there administered to him
+for his drinking the same; and the same water gruel, with which the
+said poison was so mixed as aforesaid, afterwards, to wit, on the
+same day and year, at Henley-upon-Thames aforesaid, was delivered to
+the said Francis, to be then and there drank by him; and the said
+Francis Blandy, not knowing the said poison to have been mixed with
+the said water gruel, did afterwards, to wit, on the said 5th day of
+August and on the next day following, and on divers other days and
+times afterwards, and before the said 14th day of August, there
+drink and swallow several quantities of the said poison, so mixed as
+aforesaid with the said water gruel, and the said Francis Blandy, of
+the poison aforesaid and by the operation thereof, became sick and
+greatly distempered in his body, and from the several times
+aforesaid until the 14th day of the same month of August, in the
+twenty-fifth year aforesaid, at the parish aforesaid, in the county
+aforesaid, did languish, on which said 14th day of August, in the
+twenty-fifth year aforesaid, the said Francis Blandy, at the parish
+aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, of that poison died; and so you,
+the said Mary Blandy, him the aforesaid Francis Blandy, at
+Henley-upon-Thames aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid,
+feloniously, wilfully, and of your malice aforethought, did poison,
+kill, and murder, against the peace of our said lord the King, his
+crown and dignity.
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--How sayest thou, Mary Blandy, art thou guilty
+of the felony and murder whereof thou standest indicted, or not
+guilty?
+
+PRISONER--Not guilty.
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--Culprit, how wilt thou be tried?
+
+PRISONER--By God and my country.
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--God send thee a good deliverance.
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--Cryer, make a proclamation for silence.
+
+CRYER--Oyez, oyez, oyez! My lords the King's justices strictly
+charge and command all manner of persons to keep silence, upon pain
+of imprisonment.
+
+CRYER--Oyez! You good men, that are impanelled to try between our
+sovereign lord the King and the prisoner at the bar, answer to your
+names and save your fines.
+
+The jury were called over and appeared.
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--You, the prisoner at the bar, these men which
+were last called and do now appear are those who are to pass between
+our sovereign lord the King and you upon the trial of your life and
+death. If therefore you will challenge them, or any of them, you
+must challenge them as they come to the book to be sworn, before
+they are sworn; and you shall be heard.
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--Anthony Woodward.
+
+CRYER--Anthony Woodward, look upon the prisoner. You shall well and
+truly try and true deliverance make between our sovereign lord the
+King and the prisoner at the bar, whom you shall have in charge, and
+a true verdict give, according to the evidence. So help you God.
+
+And the same oath was administered to the rest (which were sworn),
+and their names are as follow:--
+
+Anthony Woodward, sworn; Charles Harrison, sworn; Samuel George
+Glaze, sworn; William Farebrother, sworn; William Haynes, sworn;
+Thomas Crutch, sworn; Henry Swell, challenged; John Clarke, sworn;
+William Read, challenged; Harford Dobson, challenged; William Stone,
+challenged; William Hawkins, sworn; John Hayes, the elder, sworn;
+Samuel Badger, sworn; Samuel Bradley, sworn; William Brooks,
+challenged; Joseph Jagger, sworn.
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--Cryer, count these.
+
+Jury--Anthony Woodward, Charles Harrison, Samuel George Glaze,
+William Farebrother, William Haynes, Thomas Crutch, John Clarke,
+William Hawkins, John Haynes, sen., Samuel Badger, Samuel Bradley,
+Joseph Jagger.
+
+CRYER--Gentlemen, are ye all sworn?
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--Cryer, make proclamation.
+
+CRYER--Oyez, oyez, oyez! If any one can inform my lords the King's
+justices, the King's serjeant, the King's attorney-general, or this
+inquest now to be taken of any treasons, murders, felonies, or
+misdemeanours committed or done by the prisoner at the bar let him
+come forth and he shall be heard, for the prisoner stands now at the
+bar upon her deliverance; and all persons that are bound by
+recognisance to give evidence against the prisoner at the bar let
+them come forth and give their evidence, or they will forfeit their
+recognisances.
+
+CLERK OF THE ARRAIGNS--Mary Blandy, hold up thy hand. Gentlemen of
+the jury, look upon the prisoner and hearken to her charge. She
+stands indicted by the name of Mary Blandy, of the parish of
+Henley-upon-Thames, in the county of Oxford, spinster, daughter of
+Francis Blandy, late of the same place, gentleman, deceased, for
+that she not having [as in the indictment before set forth]. Upon
+this indictment she has been arraigned, and upon her arraignment has
+pleaded not guilty, and for her trial has put herself upon God and
+her country, which country you are. Your charge therefore is to
+inquire whether she be guilty of the felony and murder whereof she
+stands indicted, or not guilty. If you find her guilty you shall
+inquire what goods or chattels, lands or tenements she had at the
+time of the felony committed, or at any time since. If you find her
+not guilty you shall inquire whether she fled for the same. If you
+find that she did fly for the same you shall inquire of her goods
+and chattels as if you had found her guilty. If you find her not
+guilty, and that she did not fly for the same, say so, and no more;
+and hear your evidence.
+
+The Hon. Mr. Barrington then opened the indictment. After which,
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mr. Bathurst]
+
+The Hon. Mr. BATHURST[1] spoke as follows:--
+
+May it please your lordships and you gentlemen of the jury, I am
+counsel in this case for the King, in whose name and at whose
+expense this prosecution is carried on against the prisoner at the
+bar, in order to bring her to justice for a crime of so black a dye
+that I am not at all surprised at this vast concourse of people
+collected together to hear and to see the trial and catastrophe of
+so execrable an offender as she is supposed to be.
+
+For, gentlemen, the prisoner at the bar, Miss Mary Blandy, a
+gentlewoman by birth and education, stands indicted for no less a
+crime than that of murder, and not only for murder, but for the
+murder of her own father, and for the murder of a father
+passionately fond of her, undertaken with the utmost deliberation,
+carried on with an unvaried continuation of intention, and at last
+accomplished by a frequent repetition of the baneful dose,
+administered with her own hands. A crime so shocking in its own
+nature and so aggravated in all its circumstances as will (if she is
+proved to be guilty of it) justly render her infamous to the latest
+posterity, and make our children's children, when they read the
+horrid tale of this day, blush to think that such an inhuman
+creature ever had an existence.
+
+I need not, gentlemen, paint to you the heinousness of the crime of
+murder. You have but to consult your own breasts, and you will know
+it.
+
+Has a murder been committed? Who ever beheld the ghastly corpse of
+the murdered innocent weltering in its blood and did not feel his
+own blood run slow and cold through all his veins? Has the murderer
+escaped? With what eagerness do we pursue? With what zeal do we
+apprehend? With what joy do we bring to justice? And when the
+dreadful sentence of death is pronounced upon him, everybody hears
+it with satisfaction, and acknowledges the justice of the divine
+denunciation that, "By whom man's blood is shed, by man shall his
+blood be shed."
+
+If this, then, is the case of every common murderer, what will be
+thought of one who has murdered her own father? who has designedly
+done the greatest of all human injuries to him from whom she
+received the first and greatest of all human benefits? who has
+wickedly taken away his life to whom she stands indebted for life?
+who has deliberately destroyed, in his old age, him by whose care
+and tenderness she was protected in her helpless infancy? who has
+impiously shut her ears against the loud voice of nature and of God,
+which bid her honour her father, and, instead of honouring him, has
+murdered him?
+
+It becomes us, gentlemen, who appear here as counsel for the Crown,
+shortly to open the history of this whole affair, that you may be
+better able to attend to and understand the evidence we have to lay
+before you. And though, in doing this, I will endeavour rather to
+extenuate than to aggravate, yet I trust I have such a history to
+open as will shock the ears of all who hear me.
+
+Mr. Francis Blandy, the unfortunate deceased, was an attorney at
+law, who lived at Henley, in this county. A man of character and
+reputation, he had one only child, a daughter--the darling of his
+soul, the comfort of his age. He took the utmost care of her
+education, and had the satisfaction to see his care was not
+ill-bestowed, for she was genteel, agreeable, sprightly, sensible.
+His whole thoughts were bent to settle her advantageously in the
+world. In order to do that he made use of a pious fraud (if I may be
+allowed the expression), pretending he could give her L10,000 for
+her fortune. This he did in hopes that some of the neighbouring
+gentlemen would pay their addresses to her, for out of regard to him
+she was from her earliest youth received into the best company, and
+her own behaviour made her afterwards acceptable to them. But how
+short-sighted is human prudence? What was intended for her
+promotion, proved his death and her destruction.
+
+For, gentlemen, about six years ago, one Captain William Henry
+Cranstoun, a gentleman then in the army, happened to come to Henley
+to recruit. He soon got acquainted with the prisoner, and, hearing
+she was to have L10,000, fell in love--not with her, but with her
+fortune. Children he had before; married he was at that time, yet,
+concealing it from her, he insinuated himself into her good graces,
+and obtained her consent for marriage.
+
+The father, who had heard a bad character of him, and who had reason
+to believe, what was afterwards confirmed, that he was at that very
+time married, you will easily imagine was averse to the proposal.
+Upon this Captain Cranstoun and the prisoner determined to remove
+that obstacle out of their way, and resolved to get as soon as
+possible into possession of the L10,000 that the poor man had
+unfortunately said he was worth.
+
+In order for this, the captain being at Mr. Blandy's house in
+August, 1750, they both agreed upon this horrid deed. And that
+people might be less surprised at Mr. Blandy's death, they began by
+giving out that they heard music in the house--a certain sign (as
+Mr. Cranstoun had learned from a wise woman, one Mrs. Morgan, in
+Scotland) that the father would die in less than twelve months. The
+captain, too, pretended he was endowed with the gift of second
+sight, and affirmed that he had seen Mr. Blandy's apparition. This
+was another certain sign of his death, as she told the servants, to
+whom she frequently said her father would not live long. Nay, she
+went farther, and told them he would not live till the October
+following.
+
+When it was she first began to mix poison with his victuals it is
+impossible for us to ascertain, but probably it was not long after
+November, 1750, when Mr. Cranstoun left Henley. The effects of the
+poison were soon perceived. You will hear Dr. Addington, his
+physician, tell you Mr. Blandy had for many months felt the dreadful
+effects of it. One of the effects was the teeth dropping out of his
+head whole from their sockets. Yet what do you think, gentlemen, the
+daughter did when she perceived it? "She damned him for a toothless
+old rogue, and wished him at hell." The poor man frequently
+complained of pains in his bowels, had frequent reachings and
+sickness; yet, instead of desisting, she wanted more poison to
+effect her purpose. And Mr. Cranstoun did accordingly in the April
+following send her a fresh supply; under the pretence of a present
+of Scotch pebbles, he enclosed a paper of white arsenic. This she
+frequently administered in his tea; and we shall prove to you that
+in June, having put some of it into a dish of tea, Mr. Blandy
+disliking the taste, left half in the cup. Unfortunately, a poor old
+charwoman (by name Ann Emmet), glad to get a breakfast, drank the
+remainder, together with a dish or two more out of the pot, and ate
+what bread and butter had been left. The consequence was that she
+was taken violently ill with purging and vomiting, and was in
+imminent danger of her life. The poor woman's daughter came and told
+Miss Blandy how ill her mother was; she, sorry that the poison was
+misapplied, said, "Do not let your mother be uneasy, I will send her
+what is proper for her." And, accordingly, sent her great quantities
+of sack whey and thin mutton broth, than which no physician could
+have prescribed better, and thus drenched the poor woman for ten
+days together, till she grew tired of her medicines, and sent her
+daughter again to Miss Blandy to beg a little small beer. "No, no
+small beer," the prisoner said, "that was not proper for her." Most
+plainly, then, she knew what it was the woman had taken in her
+father's tea. She knew its effect. She knew the proper antidotes.
+Having now experienced the strength of the poison, she grew more
+open and undaunted, was heard to say, "Who would grudge to send an
+old father to hell for L10,000?" I will make no remark upon such a
+horrid expression--it needs none. After this she continued to mix
+the poison with her father's tea as often as she had an opportunity.
+Soon afterwards Susan Gunnell, another witness we shall call,
+happened to drink some which her master had left; she was taken ill
+upon it, and continued so for three weeks. This second accident
+alarmed the prisoner. She was afraid of being discovered. She found
+it would not mix well with tea. Accordingly, she wrote to Mr.
+Cranstoun for further instructions. In answer to it, he bids her
+"put it into some liquid of a more thickish substance."
+
+The father being ill, frequently took water gruel. This was a proper
+vehicle for the powder. Therefore from this time you will find her
+always busy about her father's gruel. But lest Susan Gunnell, who
+had been ill, should eat any of it, she cautioned her particularly
+against it, saying, "Susan, as you have been so ill, you had better
+not eat any of your master's water gruel; I have been told water
+gruel has done me harm, and perhaps it may have the same effect upon
+you." And lest this caution should not be sufficient, she spoke to
+Betty Binfield, the other maidservant, and asked her whether Susan
+ever ate any of her father's gruel, adding, "She had better not, for
+if she does it may do for her, you may tell her." Evidently, then,
+she knew what were the effects of the powder she put into her
+father's gruel; for if it would "do for" the servant, it would "do
+for" her father.
+
+But the time approached beyond which she had foretold her father
+would not live. It was the middle of July, and the father still
+living. At this Mr. Cranstoun grows impatient. Upon the 18th of July
+he writes to her, and, expressing himself in an allegorical manner,
+which, however, you will easily understand, he says, "I am sorry
+there are such occasions to clean your pebbles; you must make use of
+the powder to them by putting it in anything of substance, wherein
+it will not swim a-top of the water, of which I wrote to you of in
+one of my last. I am afraid it will be too weak to take off their
+rust, or at least it will take too long a time."[2] Here he is
+encouraging her to double the dose; says, he is afraid it will be
+too weak, and will take up too much time. And, as a further
+incitement to her to make haste, describes the beauties of Scotland,
+and tells her that his mother, Lady Cranstoun, had employed workmen
+to fit up an apartment for her at Lennel House.
+
+Soon after the receipt of this letter she followed the advice. And
+you will accordingly find the dose doubled. Her father grew worse,
+and, as she herself told the servants, complained of a fireball in
+his stomach, saying, "He never will be well till he has got rid of
+it." And yet you will find she herself, fearful lest he should get
+rid of it, was continually adding fuel to the fire, till it had
+consumed her father's entrails.
+
+Gentlemen, I will not detain you by going through every particular,
+but bring you to the fatal period. Upon the 3rd of August, being
+Saturday, Susan Gunnell made a large pan of water gruel for her
+master. Upon Monday, the 5th, the prisoner will be proved to go into
+the pantry where it was kept, and, after having, according to Mr.
+Cranstoun's advice, put in a double dose of the powder, she stirred
+it about, for a considerable time, in order to make it mix the
+better. When, fearing she should have been observed, she went
+immediately into the laundry, to the maids, and told them that "she
+had been in the pantry, and, after stirring her papa's water gruel,
+had ate the oatmeal at the bottom," saying that, "if she was ever to
+take to the eating anything in particular, it would be oatmeal."
+Strange inconsistence! She who had cautioned the maid against it not
+above a fortnight before, who had declared that it had been
+prejudicial to her own health, is on a sudden grown mighty fond of
+it. But the pretence is easily to be seen through. That afternoon
+some of the water gruel was taken out of the pan and prepared for
+her father's supper. She again in the kitchen takes care to stir it
+sufficiently, looks at the spoon, rubs some between her fingers, and
+then sends it up to the poor old man her father. He scarce had
+swallowed it when he was taken violently ill, and continued so all
+the next day, with a griping, purging, and vomiting. Yet she herself
+orders a second mess of the same gruel for her father's supper on
+the Tuesday, and was herself the person who carried it up to her
+father and administered it to him as nourishment. The poor old man,
+grown weak with the frequent repetition, had not drank half the mess
+before he was seized, from head to foot, with the most violent
+pricking pains, continual reaching and vomiting, and was obliged to
+go to bed without finishing it. The next morning the poor charwoman,
+coming again to the house, unfortunately ate the remainder of the
+gruel, and was instantly affected in so violent a manner that for
+two hours together it was thought she would have died in Mr.
+Blandy's house. The prisoner at this time was in bed; but the maid,
+going up to her room, told her how ill dame Emmet had been, at the
+same time saying she had ate nothing but the remainder of her
+father's water gruel. The prisoner's answer was, "Poor woman! I am
+glad I was not up, I should have been shocked to have seen
+her"--should have been shocked to have seen the poor charwoman eat
+what was prepared for her father, but was never shocked at her
+father's eating it, or at his sufferings!
+
+Gentlemen, in the afternoon of the Wednesday, notwithstanding the
+poor man, her father, had suffered so much for two days together,
+yet she again endeavours to give him more of the same gruel. "No,"
+says the maid, "it has an odd taste; it is grown stale, I will make
+fresh." "It is not worth while to make fresh now, it will take you
+from your ironing; this will do," was the prisoner's answer.
+However, Susan made fresh, after which wanting the pan to put it in,
+she went to throw away what was before in it. Upon tilting the pan,
+she perceived a white powder at the bottom, which she knew could not
+be oatmeal. She showed it her fellow-servant, when, feeling it, they
+found it gritty. They then too plainly perceived what it was had
+made their poor master ill. What was to be done? Susan immediately
+carried the pan with the gruel and powder in it to Mrs. Mounteney, a
+neighbour and friend of the deceased. Mrs. Mounteney kept it till it
+was delivered to the apothecary, the apothecary delivered it to the
+physician, and he will tell you that upon trying it he found it to
+be white arsenic. Mr. Blandy continued from day to day to grow
+worse. At last, upon the Saturday morning, Susan Gunnell, an old
+honest, maidservant, uneasy to see how her poor master had been
+treated, went to his bedside, and, in the most prudent and gentlest
+manner, broke to him what had been the cause of his illness, and the
+strong ground there was to suspect that his daughter was the
+occasion of it. The father, with a fondness greater than ever a
+father felt before, cried out, "Poor love-sick girl! What will not a
+woman do for the man she loves? But who do you think gave her the
+powder?" She answered, "She could not tell, unless it was sent by
+Mr. Cranstoun." "I believe so too," says the master, "for I remember
+he has talked learnedly of poisons. I always thought there was
+mischief in those cursed Scotch pebbles."
+
+Soon afterwards he got up and came to breakfast in his parlour,
+where his daughter and Mr. Littleton, his clerk, then were. A dish
+of tea, in the usual manner, was ready poured out for him. He just
+tasted it and said, "This tea has a bad taste," looked at the cup,
+then looked hard at his daughter. She was, for the first time,
+shocked, burst into tears, and ran out of the room. The poor father,
+more shocked than the daughter, poured the tea into the cat's basin,
+and went to the window to recover himself. She soon came again into
+the room. Mr. Littleton said, "Madam, I fear your father is very
+ill, for he has flung away his tea." Upon this news she trembled,
+and the tears again stood in her eyes. She again withdraws. Soon
+afterwards the father came into the kitchen, and, addressing himself
+to her, said, "Molly, I had like to have been poisoned twenty years
+ago, and now I find I shall die by poison at last." This was warning
+sufficient. She immediately went upstairs, brought down Mr.
+Cranstoun's letters, together with the remainder of the poison, and
+threw them (as she thought unobserved) into the fire. Thinking she
+had now cleared herself from the suspicious appearances of poison,
+her spirits mend, "she thanked God that she was much better, and
+said her mind was more at ease than it had been." Alas! how often
+does that which we fondly imagine will save us become our
+destruction? So it was in the present instance. For providentially,
+though the letters were destroyed, the paper with the poison in it
+was not burnt. One of the maids having immediately flung some fresh
+coals upon the fire, Miss Blandy went well satisfied out of the
+room. Upon her going out, Susan Gunnell said to her fellow-servants,
+"I saw Miss Blandy throw some papers in the fire, let us see whether
+we can discover what they were." They removed the coals, and found a
+paper with white powder in it, wrote upon, in Mr. Cranstoun's hands,
+"Powder to clean the pebbles."[3] This powder they preserved, and
+the doctor will tell you that it was white arsenic, the same which
+had been found in the pan of gruel.
+
+Having now (as she imagined) concealed her own being concerned, you
+will find her the next day endeavouring to prevent her lover from
+being discovered. Mr. Blandy of Kingston having come the night
+before to see her father, on Sunday morning she sent Mr. Littleton
+with him to church; while they were there she sat down and wrote
+this letter to her beloved Cranstoun--
+
+  Dear Willy,--My father is so bad, that I have only time to tell you,
+  that if you do not hear from me soon again, don't be frightened. I
+  am better myself. Lest any accident should happen to your letters,
+  take care what you write. My sincere compliments. I am ever yours.
+
+"My father is so bad." Who had made him so? Yet does she say she was
+sorry for it? No; she knew her father was then dying by that powder
+that he had sent her, yet could acquaint him she was herself better.
+Under those circumstances could caution him to take care what he
+wrote, lest his letters should be discovered! What can speak more
+strongly their mutual guilt? This letter she sealed with no less than
+five wafers. When Mr. Littleton came from church she privately gave it
+to him, desiring it might be directed as usual, and put into the post.
+Mr. Littleton was at that time too well apprised of this black
+transaction to obey her commands. He opened the letter, took a copy of
+it. Upon further recollection, carried the original to the father, who
+bid him open and read it. He did so. What do you think, gentlemen, was
+all the poor old man said upon this discovery? He only again dropped
+these words, "Poor love-sick girl! What will not a woman do for the
+man she loves?"
+
+Upon the Monday morning, after having been kept for two days without
+seeing her father, by the order of the physicians, her conscience, or
+rather fear, began to trouble her; she told the maid she should go
+distracted if she did not see her father, and sent a message to beg to
+see him. Accordingly she was admitted. The conversation between them
+was this--"Papa, how do you do?" "My dear, I am very ill." She
+immediately fell upon her knees and said, "Dear sir, banish me where
+you will; do with me what you please, so you do but pardon and forgive
+me. And as to Mr. Cranstoun, I never will see, write, or speak to him
+again." He answered, "I do forgive you, but you should, my dear, have
+considered that I was your own father." Upon this the prisoner said,
+"Sir, as to your illness I am innocent." Susan Gunnell, who was
+present, interrupted her at this expression, and told her she was
+astonished to hear her say she was innocent, when they had the poison
+to produce against her that she had put into her father's water gruel,
+and had preserved the paper she had thrown into the fire. The father,
+whose love and tenderness for his daughter exceeded expression, could
+not bear to hear her thus accused; therefore, turning himself in his
+bed, cried out, "Oh that villain! that hath eat of the best, and drank
+of the best my house could afford, to take away my life and ruin my
+daughter!" Upon hearing this the daughter ran to the other side of the
+bed to him; upon which he added, "My dear, you must hate that man, you
+must hate the very ground he treads on." Struck with this, the
+prisoner said, "Dear sir, your kindness towards me is worse than
+swords to my heart. I must down upon my knees and beg you not to curse
+me." Hear the father's answer, a father then dying by poison given by
+her hand--"I curse thee, my dear! No, I bless you, and will pray to
+God to bless you, and to amend your life"; then added, "So do, my
+dear, go out of the room lest you should say anything to accuse
+yourself." Was ever such tenderness from a parent to a child! She was
+prudent enough to follow his advice, and went out of the room without
+speaking. His kindness was swords to her heart for near half an hour.
+Going downstairs she met Betty Binfield, and, whilst she was thus
+affected, owned to her she had put some powder into her father's
+gruel, and that Susan and she, for their honesty to their master,
+deserved half her fortune.
+
+Gentlemen, not to tire you with the particulars of every day, upon
+Wednesday, in the afternoon, the father died. Upon his death the
+prisoner, finding herself discovered, endeavoured to persuade the
+manservant to go off with her; but he was too honest to be tempted by
+a reward to assist her in going off, though she told him it would be
+L500 in his way. That night she refused to go to bed. Not out of grief
+for her father's death, for you will be told by the maid who sat up
+with her that she never during the whole night showed the least
+sorrow, compassion, or remorse upon his account. But in the middle of
+the night she proposed to get a post-chaise in order to go to London,
+and offered the maid twenty-five guineas to go with her. "A
+post-chaise! and go to London! God forbid, madam, I should do such a
+thing." The prisoner, finding the maid not proper for her purpose,
+immediately put a smile upon her face--"I was only joking." Only
+joking! Good God! would she now have it thought she was only joking?
+
+Her father just dead by poison: she suspected of having poisoned him;
+accused of being a parricide; and would she have it thought she was
+capable of joking?
+
+When I see the assistance she now has (and I am glad to see she has
+the assistance of three as able gentlemen as any in the profession) I
+am sure she will not be now advised to say she was then joking. But it
+will appear very plainly to you, gentlemen, that she was not joking,
+for the next morning she dressed herself in a proper habit for a
+journey, and, while the people put to take care of her were absent,
+stole out of the house and went over Henley Bridge. But the mob, who
+had heard of what she had done, followed her so close that she was
+forced to take shelter in a little alehouse, the Angel. Mr. Fisher, a
+gentleman who was afterwards one of the jury upon the coroner's
+inquisition, came there, and prevailed with her (or in other words
+forced her) to return home. Upon her return, the inquest sitting, she
+sends for Mr. Fisher into another room and said, "Dear Mr. Fisher,
+what do you think they will do with me? Will they send me to Oxford
+gaol?" "Madam," said he, "I am afraid it will go hard with you. But if
+you have any of Mr. Cranstoun's letters, and produce them, they may be
+of some service to you." Upon hearing this she cried out, "Dear Mr.
+Fisher, what have I done? I had letters that would have hanged that
+villain, but I have burnt them. My honour to that villain has brought
+me to my destruction." And she spoke the truth.
+
+This, gentlemen, is in substance the history of this black affair.
+But, my lords, though this is the history in order of time, yet it is
+not the order in which we shall lay the evidence before your lordships
+and the jury. It will be proper for us to begin by establishing the
+fact that Mr. Francis Blandy did die of poison. When the physicians
+have proved that, we will then proceed to show that he died of the
+poison put into the water gruel on the 5th of August. After this we
+will call witnesses who from a number of circumstances, as well as
+from her own confession, will prove she put it into her father's water
+gruel, knowing it was for her father, and knowing it to be poison.
+
+Having done this, we will conclude with a piece of evidence which I
+forgot to mention before, and that is the conversation between her and
+Mr. Lane at the Angel. Mr. Lane and his wife happening to be walking
+at that time, finding a mob about the door, stepped into the alehouse
+to see the prisoner. The moment she saw a gentleman, though it was one
+she did not know, she accosted him, "Sir, you appear to be a
+gentleman; for heaven's sake, what will become of me?" "Madam!" said
+he, "you will be sent to Oxford gaol; you will there be tried for your
+life. If you are innocent, you will be acquitted; if you are guilty,
+you will suffer death."
+
+The prisoner upon hearing this stamped with her foot, and said, "Oh!
+that damned villain!" Then pausing, "But why do I blame him? I am most
+blame myself, for I gave it, and I knew the consequence." If she knew
+the consequence, I am sure there are none of you gentlemen but who
+will think she deserves to suffer the consequence.
+
+And let me here observe how evidently the hand of Providence has
+interposed to bring her to this day's trial that she may suffer the
+consequence. For what but the hand of Providence could have preserved
+the paper thrown by her into the fire, and have snatched it unburnt
+from the devouring flame! Good God! how wonderful are all Thy ways,
+and how miraculously hast Thou preserved this paper to be this day
+produced in evidence against the prisoner in order that she may suffer
+the punishment due to her crime, and be a dreadful example to all
+others who may be tempted in like manner to offend Thy divine majesty!
+
+Let me add that, next to Providence, the public are obliged to the two
+noble lords[4] whose indefatigable diligence in inquiring into this
+hidden work of darkness has enabled us to lay before you upon this
+occasion the clearest and strongest proof that such a dark transaction
+will admit of. For poisoning is done in secret and alone. It is not
+like other murders, neither can it be proved with equal perspicuity.
+However, the evidence we have in this case is as clear and direct as
+possible, and if it comes up to what I have opened to you I make no
+doubt but you will do that justice to your country which the oath you
+have taken requires of you.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mr. Serjeant Hayward]
+
+Mr. SERJEANT HAYWARD--May it please your lordships and you gentlemen
+of the jury, I likewise am appointed to assist the Crown on this
+occasion, but His Majesty's learned counsel having laid before you so
+faithful a narrative of this dismal transaction, it seems almost
+unnecessary for me to take up any more of your time in repeating
+anything that has been before said; and, indeed, my own inclinations
+would lead me to cast a veil over the guilty scene--a scene so black
+and so horrid that if my duty did not call me to it I could rather
+wish it might be for ever concealed from human eyes. But as we are now
+making inquisition for blood it is absolutely necessary for me to make
+some observations upon that chain of circumstances that attended this
+bloody contrivance and detested murder.
+
+[Illustration: Captain Cranstoun and Miss Blandy
+(_From an Engraving in the British Museum_.)]
+
+Experience has taught us that in many cases a single fact may be
+supported by false testimony, but where it is attended with a train
+of circumstances that cannot be invented (had they never happened),
+such a fact will always be made out to the satisfaction of a jury
+by the concurring assistance of circumstantial evidence. Because
+circumstances that tally one with another are above human contrivance.
+And especially such as naturally arise in their order from the first
+contrivance of a scheme to the fatal execution of it.
+
+Having suggested this much, I shall now proceed to lay before you
+those sort of circumstances that seem to me to arise through this
+whole affair, and leave it to your judgment whether they do not amount
+to too convincing a proof that the prisoner at the bar has knowingly
+been the cause of her own father's death, for upon the prisoner's
+knowledge of what she did will depend her fate.
+
+Of all kinds of murders that by poison is the most dreadful, as it
+takes a man unguarded, and gives him no opportunity to defend himself,
+much more so when administered by the hand of a child, whom one could
+least suspect, and from whom one might naturally look for assistance
+and comfort. Could a father entertain any suspicion of a child to
+whom, under God, he had been the second cause of life? No, sure, and
+yet this is the case now before you. The unfortunate deceased has
+received his death by poison, and that undoubtedly administered by the
+hand of his own--his only--his beloved child. Spare me, gentlemen, to
+pay the tribute of one tear to the memory of a person with whom I was
+most intimately acquainted, and to the excellency of whose disposition
+and integrity of heart I can safely bear faithful testimony. Oh! were
+he now living, and to see his daughter there, the severest tortures
+that poison could give would be nothing to what he would suffer from
+such a sight.
+
+And since the bitterest agonies must at this time surround the heart
+of the prisoner if she does but think of what a father she has lost, I
+can readily join with her in her severest afflictions upon this
+occasion, and shall never blame myself for weeping with those that
+weep, nor can I make the least question but my learned assistants in
+this prosecution will with me rejoice likewise, if the prisoner, by
+making her innocence appear, shall upon the conclusion of this inquiry
+find occasion to rejoice. But, alas! too strong I fear will the charge
+against her be proved, too convincing are the circumstances that
+attend it. What those are, and what may be collected from them, is my
+next business to offer to your consideration.
+
+But before I enter thereupon I must beg leave to address myself to
+this numerous and crowded assembly, whom curiosity hath led hither to
+hear the event of this solemn trial, hoping that whatever may be the
+consequence of it to the prisoner her present melancholy situation may
+turn to our advantage, and reduce our minds to seriousness and
+attention. Solemn, indeed, I may well call it as being a tribunal
+truly awful, for this method of trial before two of His Majesty's
+learned judges has scarce ever been known upon a circuit; judges of
+undoubted virtue, integrity, and learning, who undergo this laborious
+and important work, not only for the sake of bringing guilt to
+punishment, but to guard and protect innocence whenever it appears.
+
+But you, young gentleman of this University, I particularly beg your
+attention, earnestly beseeching you to guard against the first
+approaches of and temptations to vice. See here the dreadful
+consequences of disobedience to a parent. Who could have thought that
+Miss Blandy, a young lady virtuously brought up, distinguished for her
+good behaviour and prudent conduct in life, till her unfortunate
+acquaintance with the wicked Cranstoun, should ever be brought to a
+trial for her life, and that for the most desperate and bloodiest kind
+of murder, committed by her own hand, upon her own father? Had she
+listened to his admonitions this calamity never had befallen her.
+Learn hence the dreadful consequences of disobedience to parents; and
+know also that the same mischief in all probability may happen to such
+who obstinately disregard, neglect, and despise the advice of those
+persons who have the charge and care of their education; of governors
+likewise, and of magistrates, and of all others who are put in
+authority over them. Let this fix in your mind the excellent maxim of
+the good physician, "Venienti occurrite morbo." Let us defend
+ourselves against the first temptations to sin, and guard our
+innocence as we would our lives; for if once we yield, though but a
+little, in whose power is it to say, hitherto will I go, and no
+further?
+
+And now, gentlemen of the jury, those observations I had before
+mentioned, I shall attempt to lay before you in order to assist you in
+making a true judgment of the matter committed to your charge. The
+author and contriver of this bloody affair is not at present here. I
+sincerely wish that he was, because we should be able to convince him
+that such crimes as his cannot escape unpunished. The unhappy
+prisoner, ruined and undone by the treacherous flattery and pernicious
+advice of that abandoned, insidious, and execrable wretch, who had
+found means of introducing himself into her father's family, and
+whilst there, by false pretences of love, gained the affection of his
+only daughter and child. Love! did I call it? It deserves not the
+name; if it was love of anything it was of the L10,000 supposed to be
+the young lady's fortune. Could a man that had a wife of his own, and
+children, be really in love with another woman? Such a thing cannot be
+supposed, and therefore I beg leave to call it avarice and lust only;
+but be it what it will, the life of the father becomes an obstacle to
+the criminal proceedings that were intended and designed to be carried
+on between them, and therefore he must be removed before that
+imaginary state of felicity could be obtained according to their
+projected scheme. Mark how the destruction of this poor man is ushered
+into the world--apparitions, noises, voices, music, reported to be
+heard from time to time in the deceased's house. Even his days are
+numbered out, and his own child limits the space of his life but till
+the following month of October. What could be the meaning of this, but
+to prepare the world for a death that was predetermined? Who could
+limit the days of a man's life but a person who knew what was intended
+to be done towards the shortening of it?
+
+In order to bring this about Cranstoun sends presents of pebbles, as
+also a powder to clean them, and this powder, gentlemen, you will find
+is the dreadful poison that accomplished this abominable scheme.
+
+From time to time mention is made of the pebbles, but not a syllable
+of the powder. Why not of the one as well as of the other, if there
+had not been a mystery concealed in it? Preparation is made for an
+experiment of its power before Cranstoun's departure. He mixes the
+deadly draught, but the prisoner's conscience, not yet hardened,
+forced her to turn away her eyes, and she durst not venture to behold
+the cup prepared that was to send the father into another world.
+
+Soon after this Cranstoun quits the family (having, no question, left
+instructions how to proceed further in completing the scheme he had
+laid for taking off the old man), and this you'll find by letters
+under his own hand, that the powder, whatever it was, must not be
+mixed in too thin a liquid, because it might be discovered, and
+therefore water gruel is thought fitter for the purpose. By the
+frequent mixtures that were made upon these occasions the unfortunate
+servant and charwoman accidentally drank part of the deadly
+composition. When complaint is made of their sickness, how does the
+prisoner behave? Does she not administer to them with as much art and
+skill as a physician could? Does she not prescribe proper liquids and
+draughts to absorb and take off the edge of the corroding poison? If
+she knew not what it was how could she administer so successfully to
+prevent the fatal consequences of it both in the maid and the
+charwoman? During this transaction the unhappy father finds himself
+afflicted with torturing pains immediately after receiving the
+composition from his daughter. Is there any care taken of him? Any
+physician sent for to attend him? Any healing draughts prepared to
+quiet the racks and tortures that he inwardly felt? None at all that I
+can find. He is left to take care of himself, and undergo those
+miseries that his own child had brought upon him, and yet had not the
+heart to give him any assistance. What could this proceed from, but
+guilty only? Would not an innocent child have made the strictest
+inquiry how her own father came to be out of order? Would she not have
+sought the world over for advice and assistance? But instead of that
+you hear the bitterest expressions proceed from her, expressions
+sufficient to shock human nature. They have been all mentioned already
+by my learned leader, and I will not again repeat them.
+
+Observe, as things come nearer the crisis, whether her behaviour
+towards her father carries any better appearance. When it began to be
+suspected that Mr. Blandy's disorder was owing to poison, and
+strongly, from circumstances, that the prisoner was privy to it, the
+poor man, now too far gone, being informed that there was great reason
+to suspect his own child, what expressions does he make use of? No
+harsher than in the gentlest method saying, "Poor love-sick girl! I
+always thought there was mischief in those Scotch pebbles. Oh, that
+damned villain Cranstoun, that has ate of the best and drank of the
+best my house afforded, to serve me thus and ruin my poor love-sick
+girl!" An incontestable proof that he knew the cause of his disorder
+and the authors of it.
+
+The report spread about the house of the father's suspicions soon
+alarmed the prisoner; what does she do upon this occasion? Can any
+other interpretation be put upon her actions than that they proceeded
+from a manifest intention to conceal her guilt? Why is the paper of
+powder thrown into the fire? From whence, as my learned leader most
+elegantly observes, it is miraculously preserved. What occasion for
+concealment had she not been conscious of something that was wrong? If
+she had not known what had been in the paper, for what purpose was it
+committed to the flames? And what really was contained in that paper
+will appear to you to be deadly poison.
+
+The long-wished-for and fatal hour at last arrives, and but a little
+before a letter is sent by the prisoner to Cranstoun that her father
+was extremely ill, begging him to be cautious what he writes, lest any
+accident should happen to his letters. Do the circumstances, the
+language, or the time of writing this letter leave any room to suppose
+the prisoner could be innocent? They seem to me rather to be the
+fullest proof of her knowing what she had done. What accidents could
+befall Cranstoun's letters? Why is he to take care what he writes, if
+nothing but the effects of innocency were to be contained in those
+letters? In a very short time after this the strength of the poison
+carries the father out of the world. Do but hear how the prisoner
+behaved thereupon. The father's corpse was not yet cold when she makes
+application to the footman, with a temptation of large sums of money
+as a reward, if he would go off with her; but the fidelity and virtue
+of the servant was proof against the temptation even of four or five
+hundred pounds. The next proposal is to the maid to procure a chaise,
+with the offer of a reward for so doing, and to go along with her to
+London; but this project likewise failed, through the honesty of the
+servant. The next morning, in the absence of Edward Herne (the guard
+that was set over her), she makes her escape from her father's house,
+and, dressed as if going to take a journey, walked down the street;
+but the mob was soon aware of her, and forced her to take shelter in a
+public-house over the bridge. Do these proceedings look as if they
+were the effects of innocence? Far otherwise, I am afraid. Would an
+innocent person have quitted a deceased parent's house at a time when
+she was most wanting to make proper and decent preparations for his
+funeral? Would an innocent person, at such a time as this, offer money
+for assistance to make an escape? I think not; and I wish she may find
+a satisfactory cause to assign for such amazing behaviour.
+
+Let us put innocence and guilt in the scale together, and observe to
+which side the prisoner's actions are most applicable. Innocence,
+celestial virgin, always has her guard about her; she dares look the
+frowns, the resentments, and the persecutions of the world in the
+face; is able to stand the test of the strictest inquiry; and the more
+we behold her, still the more shall we be in love with her charms. But
+it is not so with guilt. The baneful fiend makes use of unjustifiable
+means to conceal her wicked designs and prevent discovery. Artifice
+and cunning are her supporters, bribery and corruption the defenders
+of her cause; she flies before the face of law and justice, and shuns
+the probation of a candid and impartial inquiry. Upon the whole
+matter, you, gentlemen, are to judge; and judge as favourably as you
+can for the prisoner.
+
+If this were not sufficient to convince us of the prisoner's guilt, I
+think the last transaction of all will leave not the least room to
+doubt. When in discourse with persons that came to her at the house
+where she had taken shelter, what but self-conviction could have drawn
+such expressions from her? In her discourse with Mr. Fisher about
+Cranstoun you will find she declared she had letters and papers that
+would have hanged that villain; and, again, says, "My honour, Mr.
+Fisher, to that villain has brought me to destruction"; and, again, in
+her inquiry of Mr. Lane, what they would do with her, she bursts out
+into this bitter exclamation, "Oh, that damned villain!" Then after a
+short pause, "But why should I blame him? I am more to blame than he
+is, for I gave it him." How could she be to blame for giving it if she
+knew not what it was? And, as it is said, went yet farther, and
+declared, "That she knew the consequence." If she did know it, she
+must expect to suffer the consequence of it too.
+
+Thus, gentlemen, have I endeavoured to lay before you some observations
+upon this transaction, and I hope you will think them not unworthy of
+your consideration. I trust I have said nothing that relates to the
+fact that is not in my instructions; should it be otherwise, I assure
+you it was not with design. And whatever is not supported by legal
+evidence you will totally disregard.
+
+If any other interpretation than what I have offered can be put upon
+these several transactions, and the circumstances attending them, I
+doubt not but you will always incline on the merciful side where there
+is room for so doing.
+
+We shall now proceed to call our evidence.
+
+The other gentlemen, of counsel for the King, were Mr. Hayes, Mr.
+Wares, and Mr. Ambler.
+
+The counsel for the prisoner were Mr. Ford, Mr. Morton, and Mr.
+Aston.[5]
+
+
+
+
+Evidence for the Prosecution.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Dr. Addington]
+
+Dr. ANTHONY ADDINGTON[6] examined--I attended Mr. Blandy in his last
+illness.
+
+When were you called to him the first time?--On Saturday evening,
+August the 10th.
+
+In what condition did you find him?--He was in bed, and told me that,
+after drinking some gruel on Monday night, August the 5th, he had
+perceived an extraordinary grittiness in his mouth, attended with a
+very painful burning and pricking in his tongue, throat, stomach, and
+bowels, and with sickness and gripings, which symptoms had been
+relieved by fits of vomiting and purging.
+
+Were those fits owing to any physic he had taken or to the gruel?--Not
+to any physic; they came on very soon after drinking the gruel.
+
+Had he taken no physic that day?--No.
+
+Did he make any further complaints?--He said that, after drinking more
+gruel on Tuesday night, August the 6th, he had felt the grittiness in
+his mouth again, and that the burning and pricking in his tongue,
+throat, stomach, and bowels had returned with double violence, and had
+been aggravated by a prodigious swelling of his belly, and exquisite
+pains and prickings in every external as well as internal part of his
+body, which prickings he compared to an infinite number of needles
+darting into him all at once.
+
+How soon after drinking the gruel?--Almost immediately. He told me
+likewise that at the same time he had had cold sweats, hiccup, extreme
+restlessness and anxiety, but that then, viz., on Saturday night,
+August the 10th, having had a great many stools, and some bloody ones,
+he was pretty easy everywhere, except in his mouth, lips, nose, eyes,
+and fundament, and except some transient gripings in his bowels. I
+asked him to what he imputed those uneasy sensations in his mouth,
+lips, nose, and eyes? He said, to the fumes of something that he had
+taken in his gruel on Monday night, August the 5th, and Tuesday night,
+August the 6th. On inspection I found his tongue swelled and his
+throat slightly inflamed and excoriated. His lips, especially the
+upper one, were dry and rough, and had angry pimples on them. The
+inside of his nostrils was in the same condition. His eyes were a
+little bloodshot. Besides these appearances, I observed that he had a
+low, trembling, intermitting pulse; a difficult, unequal respiration;
+a yellowish complexion; a difficulty in the utterance of his words;
+and an inability of swallowing even a teaspoonful of the thinnest
+liquor at a time. As I suspected that these appearances and symptoms
+were the effect of poison, I asked Miss Blandy whether Mr. Blandy had
+lately given offence to either of his servants or clients, or any
+other person? She answered, "That he was at peace with all the world,
+and that all the world was at peace with him." I then asked her
+whether he had ever been subject to complaints of this kind before?
+She said that he had often been subject to the colic and heartburn,
+and that she supposed this was only a fit of that sort, and would soon
+go off, as usual. I told Mr. Blandy that I asked these questions
+because I suspected that by some means or other he had taken poison.
+He replied, "It might be so," or in words to that effect; but Miss
+Blandy said, "It was impossible." On Sunday morning, August the 11th,
+he seemed much relieved; his pulse, breath, complexion, and power of
+swallowing were greatly mended. He had had several stools in the night
+without any blood in them. The complaints which he had made of his
+mouth, lips, nose, and eyes were lessened; but he said the pain in his
+fundament continued, and that he still felt some pinchings in his
+bowels. On viewing his fundament, I found it almost surrounded with
+gleety excoriations and ulcers. About eight o'clock that morning I
+took my leave of him; but before I quitted his room Miss Blandy
+desired I would visit him again the next day. When I got downstairs
+one of the maids put a paper into my hands, which she said Miss Blandy
+had thrown into the kitchen fire. Several holes were burnt in the
+paper, but not a letter of the superscription was effaced. The
+superscription was "The powder to clean the pebbles with."
+
+What is the maid's name that gave you that paper?--I cannot recollect
+which of the maids it was that gave it me. I opened the paper very
+carefully, and found in it a whiteish powder, like white arsenic in
+taste, but slightly discoloured by a little burnt paper mixed with it.
+I cannot swear this powder was arsenic, or any other poison, because
+the quantity was too small to make any experiment with that could be
+depended on.
+
+What do you really suspect it to be?--I really suspect it to be white
+arsenic.
+
+Please to proceed, sir.--As soon as the maid had left me, Mr. Norton,
+the apothecary, produced a powder that, he said, had been found at the
+bottom of that mess of gruel, which, as was supposed, had poisoned Mr.
+Blandy. He gave me some of this powder, and I examined it at my
+leisure, and believed it to be white arsenic. On Monday morning,
+August the 12th, I found Mr. Blandy much worse than I had left him the
+day before. His complexion was very bad, his pulse intermitted, and he
+breathed and swallowed with great difficulty. He complained more of
+his fundament than he had done before. His bowels were still in pain.
+I now desired that another physician might be called in, as I
+apprehended Mr. Blandy to be in the utmost danger, and that this
+affair might come before a Court of judicature. Dr. Lewis was then
+sent for from Oxford. I stayed with Mr. Blandy all this day. I asked
+him more than once whether he really thought he had taken poison? He
+answered each time that he believed he had. I asked him whether he
+thought he had taken poison often? He answered in the affirmative. His
+reasons for thinking so were because some of his teeth had decayed
+much faster than was natural, and because he had frequently for some
+months past, especially after his daughter had received a present of
+Scotch pebbles from Mr. Cranstoun, been affected with very violent and
+unaccountable prickings and heats in his tongue and throat, and with
+almost intolerable burnings and pains in his stomach and bowels, which
+used to go off in vomitings and purgings. I asked him whom he
+suspected to be the giver of the poison? The tears stood in his eyes,
+yet he forced a smile, and said--"A poor love-sick girl--I forgive
+her--I always thought there was mischief in those cursed Scotch
+pebbles." Dr. Lewis came about eight o'clock in the evening. Before he
+came Mr. Blandy's complexion, pulse, breath, and faculty of swallowing
+were much better again; but he complained more of pain in his
+fundament. This evening Miss Blandy was confined to her chamber, a
+guard was placed over her, and her keys, papers, and all instruments
+wherewith she could hurt either herself or any other person were taken
+from her.
+
+How came that?--I proposed it to Dr. Lewis, and we both thought it
+proper, because we had great reason to suspect her as the author of
+Mr. Blandy's illness, and because this suspicion was not yet publicly
+known, and therefore no magistrate had Dr. Addington taken any notice
+of her.
+
+Please to go on, Dr. Addington, with your account of Mr. Blandy.
+
+On Tuesday morning, August the 13th, we found him worse again, His
+countenance, pulse, breath, and power of swallowing were extremely
+bad. He was excessively weak. His hands trembled. Both they and his
+face were cold and clammy. The pain was entirely gone from his bowels,
+but not from his fundament. He was now and then a little delirious. He
+had frequently a short cough and a very extraordinary elevation of his
+chest in fetching his breath, on which occasions an ulcerous matter
+generally issued from his fundament. Yet in his sensible intervals he
+was cheerful and jocose; he said, "he was like a person bit by a mad
+dog; for that he should be glad to drink, but could not swallow."
+About noon this day his speech faltered more and more. He was
+sometimes very restless, at others very sleepy. His face was quite
+ghastly. This night was a terrible one. On Wednesday morning, August
+the 14th, he recovered his senses for an hour or more. He told me he
+would make his will in two or three days; but he soon grew delirious
+again, and sinking every moment, died about two o'clock in the
+afternoon.
+
+Upon the whole, did you then think, from the symptoms you have
+described and the observations you made, that Mr. Blandy died by
+poison?--Indeed I did.
+
+And is it your present opinion?--It is; and I have never had the least
+occasion to alter it. His case was so particular, that he had not a
+symptom of any consequence but what other persons have had who have
+taken white arsenic, and after death had no appearance in his body but
+what other persons have had who have been destroyed by white
+arsenic.[7]
+
+When was his body opened?--On Thursday, in the afternoon, August the
+15th.
+
+What appeared on opening it?--I committed the appearances to writing,
+and should be glad to read them, if the Court will give me leave.
+
+[Then the doctor, on leave given by the Court, read as follows:--]
+
+  "Mr. Blandy's back and the hinder part of his arms, thighs, and legs
+  were livid. That fat which lay on the muscles of his belly was of a
+  loose texture, inclining to a state of fluidity. The muscles of his
+  belly were very pale and flaccid. The cawl was yellower than is
+  natural, and the side next the stomach and intestines looked
+  brownish. The heart was variegated with purple spots. There was no
+  water in the pericardium. The lungs resembled bladders half filled
+  with air, and blotted in some places with pale, but in most with
+  black, ink. The liver and spleen were much discoloured; the former
+  looked as if it had been boiled, but that part of it which covered
+  the stomach was particularly dark. A stone was found in the gall
+  bladder. The bile was very fluid and of a dirty yellow colour,
+  inclining to red. The kidneys were all over stained with livid
+  spots. The stomach and bowels were inflated, and appeared before
+  any incision was made into them as if they had been pinched, and
+  extravasated blood had stagnated between their membranes. They
+  contained nothing, as far as we examined, but a slimy bloody froth.
+  Their coats were remarkably smooth, thin, and flabby. The wrinkles
+  of the stomach were totally obliterated. The internal coat of the
+  stomach and duodenum, especially about the orifices of the former,
+  was prodigiously inflamed and excoriated. The redness of the white
+  of the eye in a violent inflammation of that part, or rather the
+  white of the eye just brushed and bleeding with the beards of
+  barley, may serve to give some idea how this coat had been wounded.
+  There was no schirrus in any gland of the abdomen, no adhesion of
+  the lungs to the pleura, nor indeed the least trace of a natural
+  decay in any part whatever."
+
+
+[Sidenote: Dr. Lewis]
+
+Dr. WILLIAM LEWIS[8] examined--Did you, Dr. Lewis, observe that Mr.
+Blandy had the symptoms which Dr. Addington has mentioned?--I did.
+
+Did you observe that there were the same appearances on opening his
+body which Dr. Addington has described?--I observed and remember them
+all, except the spots on his heart.
+
+Is it your real opinion that those symptoms and those appearances were
+owing to poison?--Yes.
+
+And that he died of poison?--Absolutely.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Dr. Addington]
+
+Dr. ADDINGTON, cross-examined--Did you first intimate to Mr. Blandy,
+or he to you, that he had been poisoned?--He first intimated it to me.
+
+Did you ask him whether he was certain that he had been poisoned by
+the gruel that he took on Monday night, August the 5th, and on Tuesday
+night, August the 6th?--I do not recollect that I did.
+
+Are you sure that he said he was disordered after drinking the gruel
+on Monday night, the 5th of August?--Yes.
+
+Did you over ask him why he drank more gruel on Tuesday night, August
+the 6th?--I believe I did not.
+
+When did you make experiments on the powder delivered to you by Mr.
+Norton?--I made some the next day; but many more some time afterwards.
+
+How long afterwards?--I cannot just say; it might be a month or more.
+
+How often had you powder given you?--Twice.
+
+Did you make experiments with both parcels?--Yes; but I gave the
+greatest part of the first to Mr. King, an experienced chemist in
+Reading, and desired that he would examine it, which he did, and he
+told me that it was white arsenic. The second parcel was used in
+trials made by myself.
+
+Who had the second parcel in keeping till you tried it?--I had it, and
+kept it either in my pocket or under lock and key.
+
+Did you never show it to anybody?--Yes, to several persons; but
+trusted nobody with it out of my sight.
+
+Why do you believe it to be white arsenic?--For the following
+reasons:--(1) This powder has a milky whiteness; so has white arsenic.
+(2) This is gritty and almost insipid; so is white arsenic. (3) Part
+of it swims on the surface of cold water, like a pale sulphurous film,
+but the greatest part sinks to the bottom, and remains there
+undissolved; the same is true of white arsenic. (4) This thrown on
+red-hot iron does not flame, but rises entirely in thick white fumes,
+which have the stench of garlic, and cover cold iron held just over
+them with white flowers; white arsenic does the same. (5) I boiled 10
+grains of this powder in 4 ounces of clean water, and then, passing
+the decoction through a filter, divided it into five equal parts,
+which were put into as many glasses--into one glass I poured a few
+drops of spirit of sal ammoniac, into another some of the lixivium of
+tartar, into the third some strong spirit of vitriol, into the fourth
+some spirit of salt, and into the last some syrup of violets. The
+spirit of sal ammoniac threw down a few particles of pale sediment.
+The lixivium of tartar gave a white cloud, which hung a little above
+the middle of the glass. The spirits of vitriol and salt made a
+considerable precipitation of lightish coloured substance, which, in
+the former hardened into glittering crystals, sticking to the sides
+and bottom of the glass. Syrup of violets produced a beautiful pale
+green tincture. Having washed the sauce pan, funnel, and glasses used
+in the foregoing experiments very clean, and provided a fresh filter,
+I boiled 10 grains of white arsenic, bought of Mr. Wilcock, druggist
+in Reading, in 4 ounces of clean water, and, filtering and dividing it
+into five equal parts, proceeded with them just as I had done with the
+former decoctions. There was an exact similitude between the
+experiments made on the two decoctions. They corresponded so nicely in
+each trial that I declare I never saw any two things in Nature more
+alike the decoction made with the powder found in Mr. Blandy's gruel
+and that made with white arsenic. From these experiments, and others
+which I am ready to produce if desired, I believe that powder to be
+white arsenic.
+
+Did any person make these experiments with you?--No, but Mr. Wilcock,
+the druggist, was present while I made them; and he weighed both the
+powder and the white arsenic.
+
+When did Mr. Blandy first take medicines by your order?--As soon as he
+could swallow, on Saturday night, the 10th August. Before that time he
+was under the care of Mr. Norton.
+
+
+[Sidenote: B. Norton]
+
+BENJAMIN NORTON, examined--I live at Henley; I remember being sent for
+to Mrs. Mounteney's, in Henley, on Thursday, the 8th August, in order
+to show me the powder. There was with her Susan Gunnell, the servant
+maid. She brought in a pan. I looked at it and endeavoured to take it
+out that I might give a better account of it, for as it lay it was
+not possible to see what it was; then I laid it on white paper and
+delivered it to Mrs. Mounteney to take care of till it dried. She kept
+it till Sunday morning, then I had it to show to Dr. Addington. I saw
+the doctor try it once at my house upon a red-hot poker, upon which I
+did imagine it was of the arsenic kind.
+
+Did you attend the deceased while he was ill?--I did. I went on the
+6th of August. He told me he was ill, as he imagined, of a fit of the
+colic. He complained of a violent pain in his stomach, attended with
+great reachings, and swelled, and a great purging. I carried him
+physic, which he took on the Wednesday morning; he was then better. On
+the Thursday morning, as I was going, I met the maid. She told me he
+was not up, so I went about twelve. He was then with a client in the
+study. He told me the physic had done him a great deal of service, and
+desired more. I sent him some to take on Friday morning; I was not
+with him after Thursday.[9]
+
+Had you used to attend him?--I had for several years. The last illness
+he had before was in July, 1750. I used to attend him.
+
+Did you ever hear Miss Blandy talk of music?--I did. She said she had
+heard it in the house, and she feared something would happen in the
+family. She did not say anything particular, because I made very light
+of it.
+
+Did she say anything of apparitions?--She said Mr. Cranstoun saw her
+father's apparition one night.
+
+How long before his death was it that she talked about music?--It
+might be about three or four months before.
+
+Was the powder you delivered to Dr. Addington the self-same powder you
+received of Mrs. Mounteney?--It was the very same; it had not been out
+of my custody.
+
+Should you know it again?--I have some of the same now in my pocket.
+[He produces a paper sealed up with the Earl of Macclesfield's and
+Lord Cadogan's seals upon it.] This is some of the same that I
+delivered to Dr. Addington.
+
+Cross-examined--Who sent for you to the house?--I cannot tell that.
+
+When you came, did you see Miss Blandy?--I did. She and Mr. Blandy
+were both together.
+
+What conversation had you then?--I asked Mr. Blandy whether or no he
+had eaten anything that he thought disagreed with him? Miss Blandy
+made answer, and said her papa had had nothing that she knew of except
+some peas on the Saturday night before.
+
+Did you hear anything of water gruel?--I knew nothing of that till it
+was brought to me.
+
+Had you any suspicion of poison then?--I had not, nor Mr. Blandy had
+not mentioned anything of being poisoned by having taken water gruel.
+
+What did Miss Blandy say to you?--She desired me to be careful of her
+father in his illness.
+
+Did she show any dislike to his having physic?--No, none at all. She
+desired, when I saw any danger, I would let her know it, that she
+might have the advice of a physician.
+
+When was this?--This was on Saturday, the 10th.
+
+When he grew worse, did she advise a physician might be called
+in?--Yes, she did, after I said he was worse. She then begged that Dr.
+Addington might be sent for. Mr. Blandy was for deferring it till next
+day, but when I came down she asked if I thought him in danger. I
+said, "He is," then she said, "Though he seems to be against it, I
+will send for a doctor directly," and sent away a man unknown to him.
+
+Was he for delaying?--He was, till the next morning.
+
+How had she behaved to him in any other illness of her father's?--I
+never saw but at such times she behaved with true affection and
+regard.
+
+Had she used to be much with him?--She used to be backwards and
+forwards with him in the room.
+
+Did you give any intimation to Miss Blandy after the powder was
+tried?--I did not, but went up to acquaint her uncle. He was so
+affected he could not come down to apprise Mr. Blandy of it.
+
+When did she first know that you knew of it?--I never knew she knew of
+it till the Monday.
+
+How came you to suspect that at the bottom of the pan to be poison?--I
+found it very gritty, and had no smell. When I went down and saw the
+old washerwoman, that she had tasted of the water gruel and was
+affected with the same symptoms as Mr. Blandy, I then suspected he was
+poisoned, and said I was afraid Mr. Blandy had had foul play; but I
+did not tell either him or Miss Blandy so, because I found by the maid
+that Miss Blandy was suspected.
+
+Whom did you suspect might do it?--I had suspicion it was Miss Blandy.
+
+KING'S COUNSEL--When was Dr. Addington sent for?--On the Saturday
+night.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mrs. Mary Mounteney]
+
+Mrs. MARY MOUNTENEY[10] examined--Susan Gunnell brought a pan to my
+house on the 8th of August with water gruel in it and powder at the
+bottom, and desired me to look at it. I sent for Mr. Norton. He took
+the powder out on a piece of white paper which I gave him. He
+delivered the same powder to me, and I took care of it and locked it
+up.
+
+Cross-examined--Did you ever see any behaviour of Miss Blandy
+otherwise than that of an affectionate daughter?--I never did. She was
+always dutiful to her father, as far as I saw, when her father was
+present.
+
+To whom did you first mention that this powder was put into the
+paper?--To the best of my remembrance, I never made mention of it to
+anybody till Mr. Norton fetched it away, which was on the 11th of
+August, the Sunday morning after, to be shown to Dr. Addington.
+
+Between the time of its being brought to your house and the time it
+was fetched away, were you ever at Mr. Blandy's house?--No, I was not
+in that time, but was there on Sunday in the afternoon.
+
+Had you not showed it at any other place during that time?--I had not,
+sir.
+
+Did you, on the Sunday, in the afternoon, mention it to Mr. or Miss
+Blandy?--No, not to either of them.
+
+
+[Sidenote: S. Gunnell]
+
+SUSANNAH GUNNELL, examined--I carried the water gruel in a pan to Mrs.
+Mounteney's house.
+
+Whose use was it made for?--It was made for Mr. Blandy's use, on the
+Sunday seven-night before his death.
+
+Who made it?--I made it.
+
+Where did you put it after you had made it?--I put it into the common
+pantry, where all the family used to go.
+
+Did you observe any particular person busy about there
+afterwards?--No, nobody; Miss Blandy told me on the Monday she had
+been in the pantry (I did not see her) stirring her father's water
+gruel, and eating the oatmeal out of the bottom of it.
+
+What time of the Monday was this?--This was some time about the middle
+of the day.
+
+Did Mr. Blandy take any of that water gruel?--I gave him a half-pint
+mug of it on Monday evening for him to take before he went to bed.
+
+Did you observe anybody meddle with that half-pint mug afterwards?--I
+saw Miss Blandy take the teaspoon that was in the mug and stir the
+water gruel, and after put her finger to the spoon, and then rubbed
+her fingers.
+
+Did Mr. Blandy drink any of that water gruel?--Mr. Blandy drank some
+of it, and on the Tuesday morning, when he came downstairs, he did not
+come through the kitchen as usual, but went the back way into his
+study.
+
+Did you see him come down?--I did not.
+
+When was the first time you saw him that day?--It was betwixt nine and
+ten. Miss Blandy and he were together; he was not well, and going to
+lie down on the bed.
+
+Did you see him in the evening?--In the evening Robert Harman came to
+me as I was coming downstairs and told me I must warm some water
+gruel, for my master was in haste for supper.
+
+Did you warm some?--I warmed some of that out of the pan, of which he
+had some the night before, and Miss Blandy carried it to him into the
+parlour.
+
+Did he drink it?--I believe he did; there seemed to be about half of
+it left the next morning.
+
+How did he seem to be after?--I met him soon after he had ate the
+water gruel going upstairs to bed. I lighted him up. As soon as he was
+got into the room he called for a basin to reach; he seemed to be very
+sick by his reaching a considerable time.
+
+How was he next morning?--About six o'clock I went up the next morning
+to carry him his physic. He said he had had a pretty good night, and
+was much better.
+
+Had he reached much overnight?--He had, for the basin was half-full,
+which I left clean overnight.
+
+Was any order given you to give him any more water gruel?--On the
+Wednesday Miss Blandy came into the kitchen and said, "Susan, as your
+master has taken physic, he may want more water gruel, and, as there
+is some in the house, you need not make fresh, as you are ironing." I
+told her it was stale, if there was enough, and it would not hinder
+much to make fresh; so I made fresh accordingly, and I went into the
+pantry to put some in for my master's dinner. Then I brought out the
+pan (the evening before I thought it had an odd taste), so I was
+willing to taste it again to see if I was mistaken or not. I put it to
+my mouth and drank some, and, taking it from my mouth, I observed some
+whiteness at the bottom.
+
+What did you do upon that?--I went immediately to the kitchen and told
+Betty Binfield there was a white settlement, and I did not remember I
+ever had seen oatmeal so white before. Betty said, "Let me see it." I
+carried it to her. She said, "What oatmeal is this? I think it looks
+as white as flour." We both took the pan and turned it about, and
+strictly observed it, and concluded it could be nothing but oatmeal. I
+then took it out of doors into the light and saw it plainer; then I
+put my finger to it and found it gritty at the bottom of the pan. I
+then recollected I had heard say poison was white and gritty, which
+made me afraid it was poison.
+
+What did you do with the pan?--I carried it back again and set it down
+on the dresser in the kitchen; it stood there a short time, then I
+locked it up in the closet, and on the Thursday morning carried it to
+Mrs. Mounteney, and Mr. Norton came there and saw it.
+
+Do you remember Miss Blandy saying anything to you about eating her
+papa's water gruel?--About six weeks before his death I went into the
+parlour. Miss Blandy said, "Susan, what is the matter with you? You do
+not look well." I said, "I do not know what is the matter; I am not
+well, but I do not know what is the matter." She said, "What have you
+ate or drank?" upon which I said, "Nothing more than the rest of the
+family." She said, "Susan, have you eaten any water gruel? for I am
+told water gruel hurts me, and it may hurt you." I said, "It cannot
+affect me, madam, for I have not eaten any."
+
+What was it Betty Binfield[11] said to you about water gruel?--Betty
+Binfield said Miss Blandy asked if I had eaten any of her papa's water
+gruel, saying, if I did, I might do for myself, a person of my age.
+
+What time was this?--I cannot say whether it was just after or just
+before the time she had spoken to me herself. On the Wednesday
+morning, as I was coming downstairs from giving my master his physic,
+I met Elizabeth Binfield with the water gruel in a basin which he had
+left. I said to the charwoman, Ann Emmet, "Dame, you used to be fond
+of water gruel; here is a very fine mess my master left last night,
+and I believe it will do you good." The woman soon sat down on a bench
+in the kitchen and ate some of it, I cannot say all.
+
+[Illustration: Miss Mary Blandy
+(_From an Engraving by B. Cole, after a Drawing for which she sat in
+Oxford Castle_.)]
+
+How was she afterwards?--She said the house smelt of physic, and
+everything tasted of physic; she went out, I believe into the
+wash-house, to reach, before she could finish it.
+
+Did you follow her?--No, I did not; but about twenty minutes or half
+an hour after that I went to the necessary house and found her there
+vomiting and reaching, and, as she said, purging.
+
+How long did she abide there?--She was there an hour and a half,
+during which time I went divers times to her. At first I carried her
+some surfeit water; she then desired to have some fair water. The next
+time I went to see how she did she said she was no better. I desired
+her to come indoors, hoping she would be better by the fire. She said
+she was not able to come in. I said I would lead her in. I did, and
+set her down in a chair by the fire. She was vomiting and reaching
+continually. She sat there about half an hour, or something more,
+during which time she grew much worse, and I thought her to be in a
+fit or seized with death.
+
+Did you acquaint Miss Blandy with the illness and symptoms of this
+poor woman?--I told Miss Blandy when I went into the room to dress
+her, about nine o'clock, that Dame (the name we used to call her by)
+had been very ill that morning; that she had complained that the smell
+of her master's physic had made her sick; and that she had eaten
+nothing but a little of her master's water gruel which he had left
+last night, which could not hurt her.
+
+What did she say to that?--She said she was very glad she was not
+below stairs, for she would have been shocked to have seen her poor
+Dame so ill.
+
+As you have lived servant in the house, how did you observe Miss
+Blandy behave towards her father, and in what manner did she use to
+talk of him, three or four months before his death?--Sometimes she
+would talk very affectionately, and sometimes but middling.
+
+What do you mean by "middling"?--Sometimes she would say he was an old
+villain for using an only child in such a manner.
+
+Did she wish him to live?--Sometimes she wished for him long life,
+sometimes for his death.
+
+When she wished for his death, in what manner did she express
+herself?--She often said she was very awkward, and that if he was dead
+she would go to Scotland and live with Lady Cranstoun.
+
+Did she ever say how long she thought her father might
+live?--Sometimes she would say, for his constitution, he might live
+these twenty years; sometimes she would say he looked ill and poorly.
+
+Do you remember when Dr. Addington was sent for on the Saturday?--I
+do.
+
+Had Miss Blandy used to go into her father's room after that
+time?--She did as often as she pleased till Sunday night; then Mr.
+Norton took Miss Blandy downstairs and desired me not to let anybody
+go into the room except myself to wait on him.
+
+Did she come in afterwards?--She came into the room on Monday morning,
+soon after Mr. Norton came in, or with him. I went in about ten
+o'clock again.
+
+What conversation passed between Miss Blandy and her father?--She fell
+down on her knees, and said to him, "Banish me, or send me to any
+remote part of the world; do what you please, so you forgive me; and
+as to Mr. Cranstoun, I will never see him, speak to him, nor write to
+him more so long as I live, so you will forgive me."
+
+What answer did he make?--He said, "I forgive thee, my dear, and I
+hope God will forgive thee; but thee shouldst have considered better
+than to have attempted anything against thy father; thee shouldst have
+considered I was thy own father."
+
+What said she to this?--She answered, "Sir, as for your illness, I am
+entirely innocent." I said, "Madam, I believe you must not say you are
+entirely innocent, for the powder that was taken out of the water
+gruel, and the paper of powder that was taken out of the fire, are now
+in such hands that they must be publicly produced." I told her I
+believed I had one dose prepared for my master in a dish of tea about
+six weeks ago.
+
+Did you tell her this before her father?--I did.
+
+What answer did she make?--She said, "I have put no powder into tea. I
+have put powder into water gruel, and if you are injured I am entirely
+innocent, for it was given me with another intent."
+
+What said Mr. Blandy to this?--My master turned himself in his bed and
+said to her, "Oh, such a villain! come to my house, ate of the best,
+and drank of the best that my house could afford, to take away my life
+and ruin my daughter."
+
+What else passed?--He said, "Oh, my dear! Thee must hate that man,
+thee must hate the ground he treads on, thee canst not help it." The
+daughter said "Oh, sir, your tenderness towards me is like a sword to
+my heart; every word you say is like swords piercing my heart--much
+worse than if you were to be ever so angry. I must down on my knees
+and beg you will not curse me."
+
+What said the father?--He said, "I curse thee! my dear, how couldst
+thou think I could curse thee? No, I bless thee, and hope God will
+bless thee and amend thy life;" and said further, "Do, my dear, go out
+of my room, say no more, lest thou shouldst say anything to thy own
+prejudice; go to thy uncle Stevens, take him for thy friend; poor man!
+I am sorry for him." Upon this she directly went out of the room.
+
+Give an account of the paper you mentioned to her, how it was
+found?--On the Saturday before my master died I was in the kitchen.
+Miss Blandy had wrote a direction on a letter to go to her uncle
+Stevens. Going to the fire to dry it, I saw her put a paper into the
+fire, or two papers, I cannot say whether. I went to the fire and saw
+her stir it down with a stick. Elizabeth Binfield then put on fresh
+coals, which I believe kept the paper from being consumed. Soon after
+Miss Blandy had put it in she left the kitchen; I said to Elizabeth
+Binfield, "Betty, Miss Blandy has been burning something"; she asked,
+"Where?" I pointed to the grate and said, "At that corner"; upon which
+Betty Binfield moved a coal and took from thence a paper. I stood by
+and saw her. She gave it into my hand; it was a small piece of paper,
+with some writing on it, folded up about 3 inches long. The writing
+was, "The powder to clean the pebbles," to the best of my remembrance.
+
+Did you read it?--I did not, Elizabeth Binfield read it to me.
+[Produced in Court, part of it burnt, scaled up with the Earl of
+Macclesfield and Lord Cadogan's seals.] This is the paper, I believe,
+by the look of it; but I did not see it unfolded. I delivered it into
+Elizabeth Binfield's hand on Saturday night between eleven and twelve
+o'clock. From the time it was taken out of the fire it had not been
+out of my pocket, or anything done to it, from that time till I gave
+it her. I went into my master's room about seven o'clock in the
+morning to carry him something to drink. When he had drank it, I said,
+"I have something to say to you concerning your health and concerning
+your family; I must beg you will not put yourself in a passion, but
+hear me what I have to say." Then I told him, "I believe, sir, you
+have got something in your water gruel that has done you some injury,
+and I believe Miss Blandy put it in, by her coming into the washhouse
+on Monday and saying she had been stirring her papa's water gruel and
+eating the oatmeal out from the bottom." He said, "I find I have
+something not right; my head is not right as it used to be, nor has
+been for some time." I had before told him I had found the powder in
+the gruel. He said, "Dost thou know anything of this powder? Didst
+thee ever see any of it?" I said, "No, sir, I never saw any but what I
+saw in the water gruel." He said, "Dost know where she had this
+powder, nor canst not thee guess?" I said, "I cannot tell, except she
+had it of Mr. Cranstoun." My reason for suspecting that was, Miss
+Blandy had letters oftener than usual. My master said, "And, now thee
+mention'st it, I remember when he was at my house he mentioned a
+particular poison that they had in their country," saying, "Oh, that
+villain! that ever he came to my house!" I told him likewise that I
+had showed the powder to Mr. Norton; he asked what Mr. Norton said to
+it; I told him Mr. Norton could not say what it was, as it was wet,
+but said, "Let it be what it will, it ought not to be there"; and said
+he was fearful there was foul play somewhere. My master said, "What,
+Norton not know! that is strange, and so much used to drugs." Then I
+told him Mr. Norton thought proper he should search her pockets, and
+take away her keys and papers. He said, "I cannot do it, I cannot
+shock her so much; canst not thee, when thou goest into her room, take
+out a letter or two, that she may think she dropped them by chance?" I
+told him, "I had no right to do it; she is your daughter, and you have
+a right to do it, and nobody else." He said, "I never in all my life
+read a letter that came to my daughter from any person." He desired,
+if possible, if I could meet with any powder anywhere that I would
+secure it.
+
+Do you remember when Ann Emmet was sick (the charwoman)?--I do, but
+cannot say how long or how little a time before this; I remember she
+was ill some time before my master's death.
+
+What did the prisoner order the old woman to eat at that time?--She
+sent her some sack whey and some broth, I believe, to the value of a
+quart or three pints at twice, about once a day, or every other day,
+for four or five days.
+
+Have you been ill from what you ate yourself?--I was ill after
+drinking a dish of tea one Sunday morning, which I thought was not
+well relished, and I believed somebody had been taking salts in the
+cup before.
+
+Who was it poured out for?--I believe it was poured out for my master.
+
+Why do you believe that?--Because he used to drink in a different dish
+from the rest of the family, and it was out of his dish.
+
+When was this?--This was about six weeks and three days before his
+death.
+
+How did you find yourself after drinking it?--I found no ill-effects
+till after dinner; I then had a hardness in my stomach, and
+apprehended it was from eating plentifully of beans for dinner.
+
+What symptoms had you afterwards?--My stomach seemed to have something
+in it that could not digest, and I had remarkable trembling for three
+days, and after that for three mornings was seized with a reaching.
+
+Have you since that time been ill from what you ate or drank?--I
+tasted the water gruel twice--once on the Tuesday evening when I was
+mixing it for my master, and on Wednesday, when I was going to pour it
+away, I put the pan to my mouth and drank a little of it.
+
+How did you find yourself after that?--I did not find any remarkable
+disorder till the Wednesday morning about two o'clock, before my
+master's death; then I was seemingly seized with convulsions. My
+throat was very troublesome for five or six weeks after, and seemed a
+little soreish and a little swelled. I continued very ill for three
+weeks and upwards after my master's death, which was on the Wednesday.
+I went to bed sick at two that morning, and applied to Dr. Addington.
+
+Do you remember anything besides letters coming from Mr. Cranstoun?--I
+remember she had once a large box of table linen and some Scotch
+pebbles in it; she said they came from him.
+
+What time was this?--This was early in the spring, before my master's
+death.
+
+Had she more than one box sent to her?--She had a small box sent
+afterwards of Scotch pebbles; that might be about three months before
+his death, or less, I cannot say.
+
+Did she use to show the pebbles to anybody?--She used to show them to
+any person of her acquaintance; but I never heard of any powder to
+clean them.
+
+Cross-examined--For a year before the 5th of August last had anything
+ailed your master so as to call in the apothecary?--About a year
+before he had had a violent cold.
+
+Was he, or was he not, in good health for a year before?--He was
+frequently complaining of the gravel and heartburn, which he was
+subject to for years.
+
+Did he make any other complaints?--He used to have little fits of the
+gout.
+
+Was there any other complaint for seven, eight, nine, or ten
+years?--Nothing particular, but that of the heartburn, which I cannot
+tell whether I ever heard him complain of before or not.
+
+Can you take upon you to say that he made any particular complaint of
+the heartburn more than he had done at any other time?--I cannot say
+positively, because I have not continued these things in my memory. He
+ordered me to give him some dry oatmeal and water for the heartburn.
+
+Is that good for the heartburn?--I have been told it is very good for
+it.
+
+How was her behaviour to her father?--Her general behaviour was
+dutiful, except upon any passion or a hasty word from her father.
+
+When did she call her father "old villain"?--She would use expressions
+of that kind when she was in a passion.
+
+Upon what account?--For using her ill.
+
+KING'S COUNSEL--Were these expressions made use of before his face or
+behind his back?--I have heard her before his face and behind his
+back.
+
+PRISONER'S COUNSEL--When have you heard it?--I believe in the last
+twelve months, but cannot be sure.
+
+KING'S COUNSEL--Recollect on what occasion?--It has been, I believe,
+on little passions on both sides, and that generally from trifles.
+
+PRISONER'S COUNSEL--When did you first communicate your suspicion to
+Mr. Blandy about his being poisoned?--On the Saturday morning before
+his death, from what I saw on the Wednesday before.
+
+Why did you keep this suspicion of yours from Wednesday to
+Saturday?--The reason I did not tell my suspicions to Mr. Blandy
+sooner than Saturday was because I stayed for Mr. Stevens, the
+prisoner's uncle, who did not come till Friday night; I told him then,
+and he desired me to tell Mr. Blandy of it.
+
+Did you ever say anything of it to Miss Blandy?--No, I did not.
+
+Pray, what conversation passed between her father and her down upon
+her knees, &c.?--She said, "Sir, how do you do?" He said, "I am very
+ill."
+
+Was anything said about Mr. Cranstoun's addresses to her?--Yes, there
+was. That conversation was occasioned by a message that Mr. Blandy had
+sent to his daughter by me on Monday morning.
+
+What was that message?--That he was ready to forgive her if she would
+but endeavour to bring that villain to justice.
+
+Did she say with what intent the powder was given to her?--She said it
+was given her with another intent.
+
+Did she say upon what intent?--She did not say that. He did not ask
+that.
+
+Was not that explained?--It was no ways explained.
+
+Did he treat her as if she herself was innocent?--He did, sir.
+
+Then all he said afterwards was as thinking his daughter very
+innocent?--It was, sir.
+
+As to the ruin of his daughter, did he think it was entirely owing to
+Cranstoun?--Mr. Blandy said he believed his daughter entirely innocent
+of what had happened.
+
+By what he said to you, do you think that the father thought his
+daughter was imposed upon by Cranstoun when he used that expression,
+"She must hate the man," &c.?--I do think so; he said, "Where is
+Polly?" I answered, "In her room." He said, "Poor, unfortunate girl!
+That ever she should be imposed upon and led away by such a villain to
+do such a thing!"
+
+Do you imagine, from the whole conversation that passed between her
+father and her, that she was entirely innocent of the fact of the
+powder being given?--I do not think so; she said she was innocent.
+
+What was your opinion? Did the father think her wholly unacquainted
+with the effect of the powder?--I believe he thought so; that is as
+much as I can say.
+
+When you told Miss Blandy that the washerwoman was extremely ill,
+having ate some water gruel, was anything more said with relation to
+the father's having ate some of the same water gruel before?--I don't
+remember there was a word said about the father's having ate any of
+it.
+
+During the time of his illness was not Miss Blandy's behaviour to her
+father with as much care and tenderness as any daughter could
+show?--She seemed to direct everything as she could have done for
+herself, or any other person that was sick.
+
+Do you know that she was guilty of any neglect in this respect?--No, I
+do not, sir.
+
+KING'S COUNSEL--What did he mean when he said, "Poor, unfortunate
+girl! That ever she should be imposed upon and led away by such a
+villain to do such a thing!" What do you imagine he meant by such a
+thing?--By giving him that which she did not know what it was.
+
+COURT--When she told you that water gruel would serve for her father
+on the Wednesday did she know that her father had been ill by taking
+water gruel on the Monday and Tuesday nights?--She knew he was ill,
+but I cannot tell whether she knew the cause of it; and knew that the
+charwoman was ill before she proposed my giving him the same gruel,
+but did not oppose my making fresh for any other reason than that it
+would hinder my ironing.
+
+
+[Sidenote: E. Binfield]
+
+ELIZABETH BINFIELD, examined--I was a servant to Mr. Francis Blandy at
+Henley, and had been almost three years.
+
+When did you first discover his illness and hear him complain of
+unusual prickings in has stomach?--About a fortnight before he died.
+
+Did you ever hear Miss Blandy talk of something in the house which she
+said presaged his death, or something like it?--I have often heard her
+talk of walkings and music in the house that she had heard. She said
+she thought it to be her mother, saying the music foretold her
+father's death.
+
+Whom has she said so to?--She has told me so.
+
+How long ago?--For some time before her father's death; I believe for
+three-quarters of a year.
+
+How long did she continue talking in this manner?--She did till his
+death. I have often heard her say he would die before October.
+
+What reasons did she give for that?--By the music, saying she had been
+informed that music foretells deaths within a twelvemonth.
+
+Who did she say had informed her so?--She said Mr. Cranstoun had been
+to some famous woman who had informed him so, and named one Mrs.
+Morgan, who lived either in Scotland or London, I cannot say which.
+
+Did she express herself glad or sorry?--Glad, for that then she should
+soon be released from all her fatigues, and soon be happy.
+
+Did she talk of the state of health in which he was?--Sometimes she
+has said he has been very well, sometimes ill. I remember I heard her
+say that my master complained of a ball of fire in his guts. I believe
+it was before the Monday he ate the water gruel. I cannot particularly
+say. I believe a fortnight before he died, then she said, Mr.
+Cranstoun had told her of that famous woman's opinion about music.
+
+Do you remember the first time one Ann Emmet was taken ill?--It was
+about a month or six weeks before.
+
+Do you know what Miss Blandy ordered her in that illness?--I do. She
+ordered her some white wine whey, and broth several times. I made it
+two or three times, two quarts at a time.
+
+Do you remember a paper being taken out of the fire?--I do. It was on
+the Saturday before my master died. I took it out myself.
+
+Should you know it again if you see it?--I believe I should. (She is
+shown a paper.) I really believe this is it, which I took out of the
+fire and delivered it to Susan Gunnell, after which I had it again
+from her, and I delivered it to Dr. Addington and Mr. Norton.
+
+Do you remember Miss Blandy's saying anything about Susan Gunnel's
+eating the water gruel?--I do. When Susan was ill she asked me how
+Susan did. I said, "Very ill." Said she, "Do you remember her ever
+drinking her master's water gruel?" I said, "Not as I know of." She
+said, "If she does she may do for herself, may I tell you."
+
+Did she bid you tell Susan so?--She did not bid me tell Susan, but I
+did tell her.
+
+What time was this?--It might be about a month or six weeks before Mr.
+Blandy's death.
+
+Do you remember any expressions she made use of about her father?--I
+heard her say, "Who would grudge to send an old father to hell for
+L10,000?" Exactly them words.
+
+When was this?--It was about a month before his death, or it may be
+more; I cannot justly tell.
+
+How was this conversation introduced?--She was speaking of young girls
+being kept out of their fortunes.
+
+Who was with you at this time?--It was to me, and nobody else.
+
+Have you heard her abuse him with bad language?--I have heard her
+curse him, call him rascal and villain.
+
+What was she so angry with her father about?--Mr. Cranstoun was at our
+house about three-quarters of a year before Mr. Blandy's death. He
+came in August, 1750, and stayed there till near Christmas. It was not
+agreeable to my master. We used to think by his temper that he did not
+approve of his being so much with his daughter, but I do not believe
+he debarred his daughter from keeping his company.
+
+Did you ever hear him say anything to her of his having been once like
+to be poisoned?--I was in the kitchen when my master came in to be
+shaved. I stayed there till he went out again. Miss Blandy was there,
+and he said that once he had like to have been poisoned.
+
+When was it that he said so?--It was on the 10th of August, saying he
+was once at the coffee-house or the Lion, and he and two other
+gentlemen had like to have been poisoned by what they had drank. Miss
+Blandy said, "Sir, I remember it very well." She said it was at one of
+those places, and he said no, it was the other. He said, "One of the
+gentlemen died immediately, the other is dead now, and I have survived
+them both; but it is my fortune to be poisoned at last." He looked
+very hard at her during the time he was talking.
+
+What did he say was put into the wine?--I remember he said it was
+white arsenic.
+
+When he looked hard at her how did she look?--She looked in great
+confusion and all in a tremble.
+
+Did you sit up with Miss Blandy the night after her father died?--I
+did till three o'clock. She went to bed about one. She said to me,
+"Betty, will you go away with me? If you will go to the Lion or the
+Bell and hire a post-chaise I will give you fifteen guineas when you
+get into it and ten guineas more when we came to London." I said,
+"Where will you go then? Into the north?" She said, "I shall go into
+the west of England." I said, "Shall you go by sea?" She said, "I
+believe some part of the way." I said, "I will not go." Then she burst
+into laughter, and said, "I was only in a joke. Did you think I was in
+earnest?" "Yes," said I. "No," said she, "I was only joking."
+
+Did you ever hear Miss Blandy tell Dr. Addington that she had given
+your master some of that powder?--I heard Miss Blandy tell the doctor
+she had given my master some of that powder before in a dish of tea,
+which, she said, he did not drink, and she threw it into the street
+out of the window, fearing she should be discovered, and filled the
+cup again, and that Susan Gunnell drank it, and was ill for a week
+after.
+
+When was this?--This was on the Monday before my master died.
+
+Do you remember what happened on Monday, the 5th of August?--Yes. On
+that day I and two washerwomen were in the wash-house. Miss Blandy
+came in, and said, "Betty, I have been in the pantry eating some of
+the oatmeal out of your master's water gruel." I took no notice of it,
+but the same day, in the afternoon, I went into the pantry, and Miss
+Blandy followed me, and took a spoon and stirred the water gruel, and,
+taking some up in the spoon, put it between her fingers and rubbed it.
+
+What was it in?--It was in a pan. When my master was taken ill on the
+Tuesday in the afternoon Miss Blandy came into the kitchen, and said,
+"Betty, if one thing should happen, will you go with me to Scotland?"
+I said, "Madam, I do not know." "What," says she, "you are unwilling
+to leave your friends?" Said I, "If I should go there, and not like
+it, it will be expensive travelling back again."
+
+Did she say, "If one thing should happen"? What thing?--I took no
+further notice of it then, but those were the words. On the Monday
+morning before he died she said to me, "Betty, go up to your master
+and give my duty to him, and tell him I beg to speak one word with
+him." I did. She went up. I met her when she came out of the room from
+him. She clasped me round the neck, and burst out a-crying, and said,
+"Susan and you are the two honestest servants in the world; you ought
+to be imaged in gold for your honesty; half my fortune will not make
+you amends for your honesty to my father."
+
+Cross-examined--Had Mr. Blandy at any time, and when, previous to the
+5th of August been ill?--About a twelvemonth before he had been ill
+some time, but I cannot tell how long.
+
+What was his illness?--He had a great cold.
+
+Did he take any physic?--I believe he did once or twice.
+
+Can you tell the time?--I believe it was the latter end of July or
+beginning of August.
+
+Who made the whey and broth that were sent to the washerwoman?--My
+fellow-servant made the whey; I made the broth.
+
+Was she a kind mistress to the washerwoman?--She was. She had a
+greater regard for her than any other woman that came about the house.
+
+About this music, who did she say heard it?--She mostly mentioned
+herself hearing that.
+
+Was this talk when Cranstoun was there?--I heard her talk so when he
+was there and in his absence.
+
+Was it when she was in an angry temper only that she used those words
+to her father?--I have heard her in the best of times curse her
+father.
+
+Was Susan Gunnell very ill after drinking that tea?--She was, and
+continued so for a week.
+
+KING'S COUNSEL--Was it at the time Susan was ill from drinking of the
+tea that Miss Blandy asked you about her taking the gruel and said it
+would do for her? And did she say anything else?--Miss Blandy said she
+poured it out for my master, but he went to church and left it.
+
+PRISONER'S COUNSEL--Have you had any ill-will against her?--I always
+told her I wished her very well.
+
+Did you ever say, "Damn her for a black bitch; I should be glad to see
+her go up the ladder and be hanged"?--No, sir, I never did in my life.
+
+KING'S COUNSEL--Did you and the rest of the family observe that Mr.
+Blandy's looks were as well the last six months as before?--Miss
+Blandy has said to me, "Don't you think my father looks faint?"
+Sometimes I have said, "He is," sometimes not. I never observed any
+alteration at all.
+
+[Here Dr. Addington is appealed to by the counsel for the prisoner.]
+
+PRISONER'S COUNSEL--Do you, Dr. Addington, remember Miss Blandy
+telling you on Monday night, the 12th August, that she had on a Sunday
+morning, about six weeks before, when her father was absent from the
+parlour, mixed a powder with his tea, and that Susan Gunnell had drank
+that tea?--I remember her telling me that Monday night that she had on
+a Sunday morning, about six weeks before, when her father was absent
+from the parlour, mixed a powder with his tea, but do not remember her
+saying that Susan Gunnell had drank that tea. I have several times
+heard Susan Gunnell say that she was sure she had been poisoned by
+drinking tea out of Mr. Blandy's cup that Sunday morning.
+
+Did not Miss Blandy declare to you that she had always thought the
+powder innocent?--Yes.
+
+Did she not always declare the same?--Yes.
+
+[The KING'S COUNSEL then interposed, and said that he had not intended
+to mention what had passed in discourse between the prisoner and Dr.
+Addington; but that now, as her own counsel had been pleased to call
+for part of it, he desired the whole might be laid before the Court.]
+
+
+[Sidenote: Dr. Addington]
+
+Dr. ADDINGTON--On Monday night, the 12th August, after Miss Blandy had
+been secured, and her papers, keys, &c., taken from her, she threw
+herself on the bed and groaned, then raised herself and wrung her
+hands, and said that it was impossible for any words to describe the
+horrors and agonies in her breast; that Mr. Cranstoun had ruined her;
+that she had ever, till now, believed him a man of the strictest
+honour; that she had mixed a powder with the gruel, which her father
+had drank on the foregoing Monday and Tuesday nights; that she was the
+cause of his death, and that she desired life for no end but to go
+through a painful penance for her sin. She protested at the same time
+that she had never mixed the powder with anything else that he had
+swallowed, and that she did not know it to be poison till she had seen
+its effects. She said that she had received the powder from Mr.
+Cranstoun with a present of Scotch pebbles; that he had written on the
+paper that held it, "The powder to clean the pebbles with"; that he
+had assured her it was harmless; that he had often taken it himself;
+that if she would give her father some of it now and then, a little
+and a little at a time, in any liquid, it would make him kind to him
+and her; that accordingly, about six weeks before, at breakfast-time,
+her father being out of the room, she had put a little of it into his
+cup of tea, but that he never drank it; that, part of the powder
+swimming at top of the tea, and part sinking to the bottom, she had
+poured it out of the window and filled up the cup with fresh tea; that
+then she wrote to Mr. Cranstoun to let him know that she could not
+give it in tea without being discovered; and that in his answer he had
+advised her to give it in water gruel for the future, or in any other
+thickish fluid. I asked her whether she would endeavour to bring Mr.
+Cranstoun to justice. After a short pause she answered that she was
+fully conscious of her own guilt, and was unwilling to add guilt to
+guilt, which she thought she should do if she took any step to the
+prejudice of Mr. Cranstoun, whom she considered as her husband though
+the ceremony had not passed between them.
+
+KING'S COUNSEL--Was anything more said by the prisoner or you?--I
+asked her whether she had been so weak as to believe the powder that
+she had put into her father's tea and gruel so harmless as Mr.
+Cranstoun had represented it; why Mr. Cranstoun had called it a powder
+to clean pebbles if it was intended only to make Mr. Blandy kind; why
+she had not tried it on herself before she ventured to try it on her
+father; why she had flung it into the fire; why, if she had really
+thought it innocent, she had been fearful of a discovery when part of
+it swam on the top of the tea; why, when she had found it hurtful to
+her father, she had neglected so many days to call proper assistance
+to him; and why, when I was called at last, she had endeavoured to
+keep me in the dark and hide the true cause of his illness.
+
+What answers did she make to these questions?--I cannot justly say,
+but very well remember that they were not such as gave me any
+satisfaction.
+
+PRISONER'S COUNSEL--She said then that she was entirely ignorant of
+the effects of the powder.
+
+She said that she did not know it to be poison till she had seen its
+effects.
+
+Let me ask you, Dr. Addington, this single question, whether the
+horrors and agonies which Miss Blandy was in at this time were not, in
+your opinion, owing solely to a hearty concern for her father?--I beg,
+sir, that you will excuse my giving an answer to this question. It is
+not easy, you know, to form a true judgment of the heart, and I hope a
+witness need not deliver his opinion of it.
+
+I do not speak of the heart; you are only desired to say whether those
+agitations of body and mind which Miss Blandy showed at this time did
+not seem to you to arise entirely from a tender concern for her
+father?--Since you oblige me, sir, to speak to this particular, I must
+say that all the agitation of body and mind which Miss Blandy showed
+at this time, or any other, when I was with her, seemed to me to arise
+more from the apprehension of unhappy consequences to herself than
+from a tender and hearty concern for her father.
+
+Did you never, then, observe in her any evident tokens of grief for
+her father?--I never thought I did.
+
+Did she never wish for his recovery?--Often.
+
+Did not you think that those wishes implied a concern for him?--I did
+not, because I had before told her that if he died soon she would
+inevitably be ruined.
+
+When did you tell her this?--On Sunday morning, the 11th August, just
+before I left Henley.
+
+Did not she desire you that morning, before you quitted his room, to
+visit him again the next day?--Yes.
+
+And was she not very solicitous that you should do him all the service
+in your power?--I cannot say that I discovered any solicitude in her
+on this score till Monday night, the 12th August, after she was
+confined, and her keys and other things had been taken from her.
+
+KING'S COUNSEL--Did you, Dr. Addington, attend Susan Gunnell in her
+illness?--Yes, sir, but I took no minutes of her case.
+
+Did her symptoms agree with Mr. Blandy's?--They differed from his in
+some respects, but the most material were manifestly of the same kind
+with his, though in a much less degree.
+
+Did you think them owing to poison?--Yes.
+
+Did you attend Ann Emmet?--Yes, sir.
+
+To what cause did you ascribe her disorder?--To poison, for she told
+me that, on Wednesday morning, the 7th August, very soon after
+drinking some gruel at Mr. Blandy's, she had been seized with
+prickings and burnings in her tongue, throat, and stomach, which had
+been followed by severe fits of vomiting and purging; and I observed
+that she had many other symptoms which agreed with Mr. Blandy's.
+
+Did she say that she thought she had ever taken poison before?--On my
+telling her that I ascribed her complaints to poison, which she had
+taken in gruel at Mr. Blandy's on the 7th August, she said that, if
+she had been poisoned by drinking that gruel at Mr. Blandy's, she was
+sure that she had been poisoned there the haytime before by drinking
+something else.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Alice Emmet]
+
+ALICE EMMET, examined--My mother is now very ill, and cannot attend;
+she was charwoman at Mr. Blandy's in June last; she was taken very ill
+in the night with a vomiting and reaching, upwards and downwards. I
+went to Miss Blandy in the morning, by her desire, to see if she would
+send her something, as she wanted something to drink, saying she was
+very dry. Miss said she would send something, which she did in about
+two hours.
+
+Did you tell her what your mother had ate or drank?--No, I did not,
+only said my mother was very ill and very dry, and desired something
+to drink.
+
+
+[Sidenote: R. Littleton]
+
+ROBERT LITTLETON, examined--I was clerk to Mr. Blandy almost two
+years. The latter end of July last I went to my father's, in
+Warwickshire, and returned again on the 9th August, and breakfasted
+with Mr. Blandy and his daughter the next morning, which was on a
+Saturday. He was in great agony, and complained very much. He had a
+particular dish to drink his tea in. He tasted his tea, and did not
+drink it, saying it had a gritty, bad taste, and asked Miss whether
+she had not put too much of the black stuff in it, meaning Bohea tea.
+She answered it was as usual. He tasted it again and said it had a bad
+taste. She seemed to be in some sort of a tremor. He looked particular
+at her, and she looked very much confused and hurried, and went out of
+the room. Soon after my master poured it out into the cat's basin, and
+set it to be filled again. After this, when he was not there, Miss
+asked me what he did with the tea. I said he had not drunk it, but put
+it into the cat's basin in the window; then she looked a good deal
+confused and flurried. The next day Mr. Blandy, of Kingston, came
+about half an hour after nine in the morning. They walked into the
+parlour, and left me to breakfast by myself in the kitchen. I went to
+church. When I returned, the prisoner desired me to walk with her
+cousin into the garden; she delivered a letter to me, and desired me
+to seal and direct it as usual, and put it into the post.
+
+Had you ever directed any letter for her before?--I have, a great
+many. I used to direct her letters to Mr. Cranstoun. [He is shown a
+letter.] This is one.
+
+Did you put it into the post?--I did not. I opened it, having just
+before heard Mr. Blandy was poisoned by his own daughter. I
+transcribed it, and took it to Mr. Norton, the apothecary at Henley,
+and after that I showed it and read it to Mr. Blandy.
+
+What did he say?--He said very little. He smiled and said, "Poor,
+love-sick girl! What won't a girl do for a man she loves?" (or to that
+effect).
+
+Have you ever seen her write?--I have, very often.
+
+Look at this letter; is it her own handwriting?--I cannot tell. It is
+written worse than she used to write, but it is the same she gave me.
+
+Do you remember Mr. Cranstoun coming there in August, 1750?--I do. It
+was either the latter end of July or the beginning of August.
+
+Did you hear any talk about music about that time?--After he was gone
+I heard the prisoner say she heard music in the house; this I heard
+her say very often, and that it denoted a death in the family.
+Sometimes she said she believed it would be herself; at other times it
+might be her father, by reason of his being so much broken. I heard
+her say once she thought she heard her mother.
+
+Did she say when that death would happen?--She said that death would
+happen before October, meaning the death of her father, seeming to me.
+
+Have you heard her curse her father?--I have heard her several times,
+for a rogue, a villain, a toothless old dog.
+
+How long was this before her father's death?--I cannot justly tell
+that, but I have heard her a great many times within two months of his
+death, and a great while before. I used to tell her he was much broken
+latterly, and would not live long. She would say she thought so too,
+and that the music portended his death.
+
+Cross-examined--When you breakfasted with them in the parlour who was
+there first?--She was.
+
+Did you see the tea made?--No, sir.
+
+Did you see it poured out?--No; but he desired me to taste the tea. I
+did mine, and said I fancied his mouth was out of taste.
+
+Did not this hurry you say Miss Blandy was in arise from the
+displeasure of her father because the tea was not made to his mind?--I
+cannot say that, or what it was from.
+
+What became of that he threw into the cat's basin?--He left it there.
+
+
+[Sidenote: R. Harman]
+
+ROBERT HARMAN, examined--I was servant to Mr. Blandy at the time of
+his death. That night he died the prisoner asked me where I should
+live next. I said I did not know. She asked me to go with her. I asked
+her where she was going? She said it would be L500 in my way, and no
+hurt to me if I would. I told her I did not choose to go.
+
+Did she tell you to what place she was going?--She did not.
+
+Did she want to go away at that time of night?--Then, immediately.
+
+Cross-examined--Did she give any reason why she desired to go
+away?--No, she gave none.
+
+How long had you lived there?--A twelvemonth.
+
+What has been her general behaviour to her father during the time you
+were there?--She behaved very well, so far as ever I saw, and to all
+the family.
+
+Did you ever hear her swear about her father?--No, I never did.
+
+
+[Sidenote: R. Fisher]
+
+RICHARD FISHER, examined--I was one of the jury on the coroner's
+inquest that sat on Mr. Blandy's body on Thursday, 15th of August. As
+I was going up street to go to market I was told Miss Blandy was gone
+over the bridge. I went and found her at the sign of the Angel, on the
+other side of the bridge. I told her I was very sorry for her
+misfortune, and asked her what she could think of herself to come from
+home, and if she would be glad to go home again? She said, "Yes, but
+what must I do to get there for the mob?" I said I would endeavour to
+get a close post-chaise and carry her home. I went out through the mob
+and got one, and carried her home. She asked me whether she was to go
+to Oxford that night or not. I said I believed not. When I came to her
+father's house I delivered her up to the constables. When we were upon
+the inquiry before the coroner a gentleman was asking for some letters
+which came in the time of Mr. Blandy's illness. I went to her uncle,
+Stevens, to see for them. She then asked me again what the gentlemen
+intended to do with her, or how it would go. I said I was afraid very
+hard, unless she could produce some letters to bring Mr. Cranstoun to
+justice. She said, "Dear Mr. Fisher, I am afraid I have burnt some
+that would have brought him to justice." She took a key out of her
+pocket, and said, "Take this key and see if you can find such letters
+in such a drawer." There was one Mrs. Minn stood by. I desired her to
+go with the key, which she did. But no letters were found there. Then
+Miss Blandy said, "My honour to him will prove my ruin."
+
+What did she mean by the word "him"?--Mr. Cranstoun--when she found
+there were no letters of consequence to be found.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mrs. Lane]
+
+Mrs. LANE, examined--I was with my husband at Henley at the sign of
+the Angel on the other side of the bridge. There was Miss Blandy. The
+first word I heard Mr. Lane, my husband, say was, if she was found
+guilty she would suffer according to law, upon which she stamped her
+foot upon the ground, and said, "O that damned villain!" then paused a
+little, and said "But why should I blame him, for I am more to blame
+than he, for I gave it him, and knew the consequence?"
+
+Did she say I knew or I know?--I really cannot say, sir, for I did not
+expect to be called for to be examined here, and will not take upon me
+to swear positively to a word. She was in a sort of agony, in a very
+great fright.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mr. Lane]
+
+Mr. LANE, examined--I went into the room where the prisoner was before
+my wife the day after Mr. Blandy's death. She arose from her chair,
+and met me, and looked hard at me. She said, "Sir, I have not the
+pleasure of knowing you." Said I, "No, I am a stranger to you." She
+said, "Sir, you look like a gentleman. What do you think they will do
+with me?" Said I, "You will be committed to the county gaol, and be
+tried at the assizes, and if your innocence appears you will be
+acquitted; if not, you will suffer accordingly." She stamped with her
+foot, and said, "O! that damned villain! But why do I blame him? I am
+more to blame." Then Mr. Littleton came in, which took off my
+attention from her that I did not hear so as to give an account of the
+whole.
+
+[The letter which Littleton opened, read in Court.] Directed to the
+hon. William Henry Cranstoun, Esq.--
+
+  Dear Willy,--My father is so bad, that I have only time to tell you,
+  that if you do not hear from me soon again, do not be frightened.
+  I am better myself; and lest any accident should happen to your
+  letters take care what you write. My sincere compliments. I am ever,
+  yours.
+
+
+
+
+The Prisoner's Defence.[12]
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mary Blandy]
+
+My lords, it is morally impossible for me to lay down the hardships I
+have received--I have been aspersed in my character. In the first
+place, it has been said that I have spoken ill of my father, that I
+have cursed him, and wished him at hell, which is extremely false.
+Sometimes little family affairs have happened, and he did not speak to
+me so kind as I could wish. I own I am passionate, my lords, and in
+those passions some hasty expressions might have dropped; but great
+care has been taken to recollect every word I have spoken at different
+times, and to apply them to such particular purposes as my enemies
+knew would do me the greatest injury. These are hardships, my lords,
+extreme hardships, such as you yourselves must allow to be so. It is
+said, too, my lords, that I endeavoured to make my escape. Your
+lordships will judge from the difficulties I laboured under. I had
+lost my father--I was accused of being his murderer--I was not
+permitted to go near him--I was forsaken by my friends--affronted by
+the mob--insulted by my servants. Although I begged to have the
+liberty to listen at the door where he died I was not allowed it. My
+keys were taken from me, my shoe buckles and garters, too--to prevent
+me from making away with myself, as though I was the most abandoned
+creature. What could I do, my lords? I verily believe I must have been
+out of my senses. When I heard my father was dead, and the door open,
+I ran out of the house and over the bridge, and had nothing on but a
+half-sack and petticoat without a hoop--my petticoats hanging about
+me--the mob gathered about me. Was this a condition, my lords, to make
+my escape in? A good woman beyond the bridge seeing me in this
+distress desired me to walk in till the mob was dispersed. The town
+serjeant was there. I begged he would take me under his protection to
+have me home. The woman said it was not proper; the mob was very
+great, and that I had better stay a little. When I came home they said
+I used the constable ill. I was locked up for fifteen hours, with only
+an odd servant of the family to attend me. I was not allowed a maid
+for the common decencies of my sex. I was sent to gaol, and was in
+hopes there, at least, this usage would have ended. But was told it
+was reported I was frequently drunk; that I attempted to make my
+escape; that I never attended the chapel. A more abstemious woman, my
+lords, I believe does not live.
+
+Upon the report of my making my escape the gentleman who was High
+Sheriff last year (not the present) came and told me, by order of the
+higher powers, he must put an iron on me. I submitted, as I always do
+to the higher powers. Some time after he came again, and said he must
+put a heavier upon me, which I have worn, my lords, till I came
+hither. I asked the Sheriff why I was so ironed. He said he did it by
+the command of some noble peer on his hearing that I intended to make
+my escape. I told them I never had such a thought, and I would bear it
+with the other cruel usage I had received on my character. The Rev.
+Mr. Swinton, the worthy clergyman who attended me in prison, can
+testify that I was very regular at the chapel whenever I was well.
+Sometimes I really was not able to come out, and then he attended me
+in my room. They likewise have published papers and depositions which
+ought not to have been published in order to represent me as the most
+abandoned of my sex and to prejudice the world against me. I submit
+myself to your lordships and to the worthy jury. I can assure your
+lordships, as I am to answer it before that grand tribunal, where I
+must appear, I am as innocent as the child unborn of the death of my
+father. I would not endeavour to save my life at the expense of truth.
+I really thought the powder an innocent, inoffensive thing, and I gave
+it to procure his love. It has been mentioned, I should say I was
+ruined. My lords, when a young woman loses her character is not that
+her ruin? Why, then, should this expression be construed in so wide a
+sense? Is it not ruining my character to have such a thing laid to my
+charge? And whatever may be the event of this trial I am ruined most
+effectually.
+
+
+
+
+Evidence for the Defence.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Ann James]
+
+ANN JAMES, examined--I live at Henley, and had use to wash for Mr.
+Blandy. I remember the time Mr. Blandy grew ill. Before he was ill
+there was a difference between Elizabeth Binfield and Miss Blandy, and
+Binfield was to go away.
+
+How long before Mr. Blandy's death?--It might be pretty near a quarter
+of a year before. I have heard her curse Miss Blandy, and damn her for
+a bitch, and said she would not stay. Since this affair happened I
+heard her say, "Damn her for a black bitch. I shall be glad to see her
+go up the ladder and swing."
+
+How long after?--It was after Miss Blandy was sent away to gaol.
+
+Cross-examined--What was this quarrel about?--I do not know. I heard
+her say she had a quarrel, and was to go away several times.
+
+Who was by at this time?--Mary Banks was by, and Nurse Edwards, and
+Mary Seymour, and I am not sure whether Robert Harman was there or
+not.
+
+How was it introduced?--It happened in Mr. Blandy's kitchen; she was
+always talking about Miss.
+
+Were you there on the 5th of August?--I cannot say I was.
+
+Do you remember the prisoner's coming into the washhouse and saying
+she had been doing something with her father's water gruel?--No, I do
+not remember it.
+
+
+[Sidenote: E. Binfield]
+
+ELIZABETH BINFIELD, recalled--Did you, Elizabeth Binfield, ever make
+use of such an expression as this witness has mentioned?--I never said
+such words.
+
+Did you ever tell this witness Miss and you had quarrelled?--To the
+best of my knowledge, I never told her about a quarrel.
+
+Have you ever had a quarrel?--We had a little quarrel sometime before.
+
+Did you ever declare you were to go away?--I did.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mary Banks]
+
+MARY BANKS, examined--I remember being in Mr. Blandy's kitchen in
+company with Ann James.
+
+COUNSEL--Who was in company?--I do not remember.
+
+Do you remember a conversation between Elizabeth Binfield and Ann
+James?--I do not remember anything of it.
+
+Do you remember her aspersing Miss Blandy's character?--I do not
+recollect.
+
+Did you hear her say, "She should be glad to see the black bitch go up
+the ladder to be hanged"?--She did say, "She should be glad to see the
+black bitch go up the ladder to be hanged."
+
+When was this?--It was the night Mr. Blandy was opened.
+
+Are you sure it was that day?--I am sure it was.
+
+Where was Miss Blandy then?--She was then in the house.
+
+
+[Sidenote: E. Herne]
+
+EDWARD HERNE, examined--I formerly was a servant in Mr. Blandy's
+family; I went there eighteen years ago, and left them about twelve
+years ago last November, but have been frequently at the house ever
+since, that is, may be once, twice, thrice, or four times in a week.
+
+What was Miss's general behaviour to her father and in the
+family?--She behaved, according to what I always observed, as well to
+her father and the family as anybody could do, an affectionate,
+dutiful daughter.
+
+Did you see her during the time of Mr. Blandy's illness?--I did. The
+first time I went into the room she was not able to speak to me nor I
+to her for ten minutes.
+
+What was that owing to?--It was owing to the greatness of her grief.
+
+When was this?--It was the 12th of August, at night.
+
+How did her father seem to be satisfied with her behaviour and
+conduct?--She was put into my custody that night; when I went into the
+room (upon hearing the groans of her father) she said, at my return,
+"Pray, Ned, how does he do?"
+
+Did you ever hear her speak ill of her father?--I never heard her
+swear an oath all the time I have known her, or speak a disrespectful
+word of her father.
+
+Cross-examined--What are you?--I am sexton of the parish.
+
+On what night did Mr. Blandy die?--On the Wednesday night.
+
+How came you, as she was put under your care, to let her get away?--I
+was gone to dig a grave, and was sent for home; they told me she was
+gone over the bridge.
+
+Had you any talk with her about this affair?--She declared to me that
+Captain Cranstoun put some powder into tea one morning for Mr. Blandy,
+and she turned herself about he was stirring it in the cup.
+
+When did she tell you this?--In August, 1750.
+
+Have you seen her since she has been in Oxford Gaol?--I have. When the
+report was spread that the captain was taken I was with her in the
+gaol; a gentleman came in and said he was taken; she wrung her hands
+and said, "I hope in God it is true, that he may be brought to justice
+as well as I, and that he may suffer the punishment due to his crime
+as she should do for hers."
+
+PRISONER--Give me leave to ask the last witness some questions.
+
+COURT--You had better tell your questions to your counsel, for you may
+do yourself harm by asking questions.
+
+PRISONER'S COUNSEL--Did not the prisoner at the same time declare that
+as to herself she was totally innocent, and had no design to hurt her
+father?--At that time she declared that when Cranstoun put the powder
+into the tea, upon which no damage at all came, and when she put
+powder afterwards herself, she apprehended no damage could come to her
+father.
+
+When she spoke of her own suffering did she not mean the same
+misfortune that she then laboured under?--She said she should be glad
+Cranstoun should be taken and brought to justice; she thought it would
+bring the whole to light, he being the occasion of it all, for she
+suffered (by being in prison) and was innocent, and knew nothing that
+it was poison no more than I or any one person in the house.
+
+
+[Sidenote: T. Cawley]
+
+THOMAS CAWLEY, examined--I have known Miss Blandy twenty years and
+upwards, and her father likewise; I was intimate in the family, and
+have frequently drunk tea there.
+
+What was her behaviour to her father during your knowledge of her?--I
+never saw any other than dutiful.
+
+
+[Sidenote: T. Staverton]
+
+THOMAS STAVERTON, examined--I have lived near them five or six and
+twenty years and upwards, and was always intimate with them; I always
+thought they were two happy people, he happy in a daughter and she in
+a father, as any in the world. The last time she was at our house she
+expressed her father had had many wives laid out for him, but she was
+satisfied he never would marry till she was settled.
+
+Cross-examined--Did you observe for the last three or four months
+before his death that he declined in his health?--I observed he did; I
+do not say as to his health, but he seemed to shrink, and I have often
+told my wife my old friend Blandy was going.
+
+Had he lost any teeth latterly?--I do not know as to that; he was a
+good-looking man.
+
+PRISONER'S COUNSEL--How old was he?--I think he was sixty-two.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mary Davis]
+
+MARY DAVIS, examined--I live at the Angel at Henley Bridge; I remember
+Miss Blandy coming over the bridge the day that Mr. Blandy was opened;
+she was walking along, and a great crowd of people after her. I,
+seeing that, went and asked what was the matter; I asked her where she
+was going? She said, "To take a walk for a little air, for they were
+going to open her father, and she could not bear the house." The mob
+followed her so fast was the reason I asked her to go to my house,
+which she accepted.
+
+Did she walk fast or slowly?--She was walking as softly as foot could
+be laid to the ground; it had not the least appearance of her going to
+make her escape.
+
+
+[Sidenote: R. Stoke]
+
+ROBERT STOKE, examined--I saw the prisoner with Mrs. Davis the day her
+father was opened; I told her I had orders from the Mayor to detain
+her. She said she was very glad, because the mob was about.
+
+Did you think, from her dress and behaviour, she was about to attempt
+to make her escape?--No, it did not appear to me at all.
+
+Cross-examined--Were you there when Mr. and Mrs. Lane came in?--I was.
+
+Did you hear the words she said to Mr. Lane?--I heard nothing at all.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mr. Ford]
+
+Mr. FORD--As very unjustifiable and illegal methods have been used to
+prejudice the world against Miss Blandy, such as it is to be hoped, no
+man will have the boldness to repeat--I mean the printing and
+publishing the examination of witnesses before her trial--and as very
+scandalous reports have been spread concerning her behaviour ever
+since her imprisonment, it is desired that the reverend gentleman who
+has attended her as a clergyman may give an account of her conduct
+whilst in gaol, that she may at least be delivered of some of the
+infamy she at present lies under.
+
+To which he was answered by the Court that it was needless to call a
+witness to that, as the jury was only to regard what was deposed in
+Court, and entirely to disregard what papers had been printed and
+spread about, or any report whatsoever.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mr. Bathurst]
+
+Mr. BATHURST--Your lordships will, I hope, indulge me in a very few
+words by way of reply, and after the length of evidence which has been
+laid before the jury I will take up but little of your lordships'
+time.
+
+Gentlemen, you observe it has been proved to a demonstration that Mr.
+Francis Blandy did die of poison. It is as clearly proved that he died
+of the poison put into his water gruel upon the 5th of August, and
+that the prisoner at the bar put it in. For so much appears, not only
+from her own confession, but from a variety of other evidence. The
+single question, therefore, for your consideration is, whether she did
+it knowingly or ignorantly?
+
+[Illustration: Miss Molly Blandy, taken from the life in Oxford Castle
+(_From an Engraving in the Collection of Mr. A.M. Broadley_.)]
+
+I admit that in some of the conversations which she has had at
+different times with different persons she has said she did it without
+knowing it to be poison, or believing it to be so. At the same time I
+beg leave to observe (as you will find when their lordships sum up the
+evidence to you) that she did not always make the same pretence.
+
+Examine then, gentlemen, whether it is possible she could do it
+ignorantly.
+
+It has appeared in evidence that she owned she saw Mr. Cranstoun put
+some powder into her father's tea in the month of August preceding,
+that she had herself afterwards done the same; but she said she saw no
+ill-effect from it, and therefore concluded it was not hurtful. Her
+own witness, Thomas Staverton, says that for the past year Mr. Blandy
+used to shrink in his clothes, that he made the observation to his
+wife and told her his friend Blandy was going. Our witnesses have said
+that she herself made the same observation, told them her father
+looked very ill, as though he would not live, and said he would not
+live till October.
+
+And here let me observe one thing. She says she gave her father this
+powder to make him love her. After having heard the great affection
+with which the poor dying man behaved towards her, can you think she
+wanted any charm for that purpose? After having heard what her own
+witnesses have said of the father's fondness for the daughter, can you
+believe she had occasion for any love powder?
+
+But one thing more. She knew her father had taken this powder in his
+water gruel upon the Monday night, and upon the Tuesday night; saw how
+violently he was affected by it, and yet would have had more of the
+same gruel given to him upon the Wednesday.
+
+Yet one thing more. When she must have been fully satisfied that it
+was poison, and that it would probably be the occasion of his death,
+she endeavoured to burn the paper in which the rest of the powder was
+contained, without ever acquainting the physicians what she had given
+him, which might have been the means for them to have prescribed what
+was proper for his relief.
+
+Still one thing more. She is accused upon the Saturday; she attempts to
+burn the powder upon the Saturday; and yet upon the Sunday she stays
+from church in order to write a letter to Mr. Cranstoun. In that
+letter she styles him her "dear Willy," acquaints him her father is so
+bad that he must not be frightened if he does not soon hear from her
+again; says she is herself better; then cautions him to take care what
+he writes lest his letters should fall into a wrong hand. Was this
+such a letter as she would have wrote if she had been innocent? if she
+had not known the quality of the powder? if she had been imposed upon
+by Mr. Cranstoun?
+
+I will only make one other observation, which is that of all our
+witnesses she has attempted to discredit only one. She called two
+persons to contradict Elizabeth Binfield in regard to a scandalous
+expression (which she was charged with, but which she positively
+denied ever to have made use of) in saying "she should be glad to see
+the prisoner go up the ladder and swing." They first called Ann James;
+she swore to the expression, and said it was after Miss Blandy was
+sent to Oxford gaol. The next witness, Mary Banks, who at first did
+not remember the conversation, and at last did not remember who were
+present, said (upon being asked about the time) that she was sure the
+conversation happened upon the Thursday night on which Mr. Blandy was
+opened, and during the time that Miss Blandy was in the house. These
+two witnesses, therefore, grossly contradict one another, consequently
+ought not to take away the credit of Elizabeth Binfield. And let me
+observe that Elizabeth Binfield proved nothing (besides some few
+expressions used by Miss Blandy) but what was confirmed by the other
+maidservant, Susan Gunnell.
+
+I will, in justice to the prisoner, add (what has already been
+observed by Mr. Ford) that the printing which was given in evidence
+before the coroner, drawing odious comparisons between her and former
+parricides, and spreading scandalous reports in regard to her manner
+of demeaning herself in prison, was a shameful behaviour towards her,
+and a gross offence against public justice. But you, gentlemen, are
+men of sense, and upon your oaths; you will therefore totally
+disregard whatever you have heard out of this place. You are sworn to
+give a true verdict between the king and the prisoner at the bar,
+according to the evidence now laid before you. It is upon that we (who
+appear for the public) rest our cause. If, upon that evidence, she
+appears to be innocent, in God's name let her be acquitted; but if,
+upon that evidence, she appears to be guilty, I am sure you will do
+justice to the public, and acquit your own consciences.
+
+PRISONER--It is said I gave it my father to make him fond of me. There
+was no occasion for that--but to make him fond of Cranstoun.
+
+
+
+
+Charge to the Jury.
+
+
+[Sidenote: Mr. Baron Legge]
+
+MR. BARON LEGGE[13]--Gentlemen of the jury, Mary Blandy, the prisoner
+at the bar, stands indicted before you for the murder of Francis
+Blandy, her late father, by mixing poison in tea and water gruel,
+which she had prepared for him, to which she has pleaded that she is
+not guilty.
+
+In the first place, gentlemen, I would take notice to you of a very
+improper and a very scandalous behaviour towards the prisoner by
+certain people who have taken upon themselves very unjustifiably to
+publish in print what they call depositions, taken before the coroner,
+in relation to this very affair which is now brought before you to
+determine. I hope you have not seen them; but if you have, I must tell
+you, as you are men of sense and probity, that you must divest
+yourselves of every prejudice that can arise from thence and attend
+merely to the evidence that has now been given before you in Court,
+which I shall endeavour to repeat to you as exactly as I am able after
+so great a length of examination.
+
+In support of the indictment, the counsel for the Crown have called a
+great number of witnesses. In order to establish, in the first place,
+the fact that Mr. Blandy died of poison, they begin with Dr.
+Addington, who tells you that he did attend Mr. Blandy in his last
+illness; that he was first called in upon Saturday evening, the 10th
+of August last; that the deceased complained that after drinking some
+water gruel on Monday night, the 5th of August, he perceived a
+grittiness in his mouth, attended with a pricking-burning, especially
+about his tongue and throat; that he had a pricking and burning in his
+stomach, accompanied with sickness; a pricking and griping in his
+bowels; but that afterwards he purged and vomited a good deal, which
+had lessened those symptoms he had complained of; that on Tuesday
+night, the 6th of August, he took more gruel, and had immediately a
+return of the same symptoms, but more aggravated; that he had besides
+hiccups, cold sweats, great anxieties, prickings in every external as
+well as internal part of his body, which he compared to so many
+needles darting at the same time into all parts of him; but the doctor
+tells you at the time he saw him he said he was easy, except in his
+mouth, his nose, lips, eyes, and fundament, and some transient
+pinchings in his bowels, which the doctor then imputed to the purgings
+and vomitings, for he had had some bloody stools; that he imputed the
+sensations upwards to the fumes of something he had taken the Monday
+and Tuesday before; that he inspected the parts affected, and found
+his tongue swelled, his throat excoriated and a little swelled, his
+lips dry, and pimples on them, pimples on the inside of his nostrils,
+and his eyes bloodshot; that next morning he examined his fundament,
+which he found surrounded with ulcers; his pulse trembled and
+intermitted, his breath was interrupted and laborious, his complexion
+yellowish, and he could not without the greatest difficulty swallow a
+teaspoonful of the thinnest liquid; that he then asked him if he had
+given offence to any person whatever. His daughter the prisoner was
+then present, and she made answer that her father was at peace with
+all the world, and all the world with him. He then asked if he had
+been subject to this kind of complaint before. The prisoner said that
+he was subject to the heartburn and colic, and she supposed this would
+go off as it used to do; that he then told them that he suspected that
+by some means or other he had taken poison, to which the deceased
+replied he did not know but he might, or words to that effect; but the
+prisoner said it was impossible. He returned to visit him on Sunday
+morning, and found him something relieved; that he had some stools,
+but none bloody, which he took for a spasm; that afterwards Norton,
+the apothecary, gave him some powder, which he said had been taken out
+of gruel, which the deceased had drank on Monday and Tuesday; this
+powder he examined at leisure, and believed it to be white arsenic;
+that the same morning a paper was put into his hands by one of the
+maids, which she said had been taken out of the fire, and which she
+saw Miss Blandy throw in. There was a superscription on the paper,
+"powder to clean the pebbles." There was so little of it that he
+cannot say positively what it was, but suspects it to be arsenic, for
+he put it on his tongue and it felt like arsenic, but some burnt paper
+mixed with it had discoloured and softened it. He tells you that on
+Monday morning the deceased was worse; all the symptoms returned, and
+he complained more of his fundament than before. He then desired the
+assistance of some skilful physician, because he looked upon him to be
+in the utmost danger, and apprehended this affair might come before a
+court of judicature. He asked the deceased if he really thought he was
+poisoned, to which he answered that he really believed so, and thought
+he had taken it often, because his teeth rotted faster than usual; he
+had frequent prickings and burnings in his tongue and throat, violent
+heartburn, and frequent stools, that carried it off again by
+unaccountable fits of vomiting and purging; that he had had these
+symptoms, especially after his daughter had received a present of
+Scotch pebbles from Mr. Cranstoun. He then asked the deceased who he
+suspected had given the poison to him; the tears then stood in his
+eyes, but he forced a smile and said, "A poor love-sick girl! I
+forgive her; I always thought there was mischief in those cursed
+Scotch pebbles."
+
+Dr. Lewis came that evening, and Miss Blandy was sent into her
+chamber, under a guard, and all papers in her pocket, and all
+instruments with which she might hurt herself, or any other person,
+and her keys, were taken from her, that nothing might be secreted; for
+it was not then publicly known that Mr. Blandy was poisoned, and they
+thought themselves accountable for her forthcoming. On Monday night
+the deceased mended again, and grew better and worse, unaccountably,
+as long as he lived. On Tuesday morning everything growing worse, he
+became excessively weak, rambled in his discourse, and grew delirious,
+had cold, clammy sweats, short cough, and a deep way of fetching his
+breath; and he observed upon these occasions that an ulcerous matter
+issued from his fundament. In the midst of all this, whenever he
+recovered his senses he said he was better, and seemed quite serene,
+and told him he thought himself like a man bit by a mad dog. "I should
+be glad to drink, but I can't swallow." About noon his speech faltered
+more than before; he grew ghastly, was a shocking sight, and had a
+very bad night. On Wednesday morning he recovered his senses a little
+and said he would make his will in a few days; but soon grew delirious
+again, sunk every minute, and about two in the afternoon he died.
+
+The doctor tells you he then thought, and still thinks, that he died
+of poison; that he had no symptoms while he lived, nor after he was
+dead, but what are common in people who have taken white arsenic. He
+then read some observations which he had made on the appearances of
+his body after he was dead; that his back and the parts he lay on were
+livid; the fat on the muscles of his belly was loose in texture and,
+approached fluidity; the muscles of the belly were pale and flaccid;
+the cawl yellower than natural; the side next the stomach and
+intestines brownish; the heart variegated with purple spots; there was
+no water in the pericardium; the lungs resembled bladders filled with
+air, blotted with black, like ink; the liver and spleen were
+discoloured, and the former looked as if it had been boiled; a stone
+was found in the gall-bladder; the bile was very fluid and of a dirty
+yellow colour inclining to red; the kidneys were stained with livid
+spots; the stomach and bowels were inflated, and looked liked they had
+been pinched, and blood stagnated in the membranes; they contained
+slimy, bloody froth; their coats were thin, smooth, and flabby; the
+inside of the stomach was quite smooth, and, about the orifices,
+inflamed, and appeared stabbed and wounded, like the white of an eye
+just brushed by the beards of barley; that there was no appearance of
+any natural decay at all in him, and therefore he has no doubt of his
+dying by poison; and believes that poison to have been white arsenic;
+that the deceased never gave him any reason why he took the same sort
+of gruel a second time, nor did he ask him. He tells you, as to the
+powder that was given him by Norton, he made some experiments with it
+the next day, and some part of it he gave to Mr. King, an experienced
+chemist in Reading, who, upon trial, found it to be arsenic, as he
+told him; that he twice had powder from Norton, and that what he had
+the second time he kept entirely in his own custody and made
+experiments with it a month afterwards; that he never was out of the
+room while those experiments were making, and he observed them to
+tally exactly with other arsenic which he tried at the same time. I
+need not mis-spend your time in repeating the several experiments
+which the doctor has told you he made of it; he has been very minute
+and particular in his account of them, and, upon the whole, concludes
+the same to have been arsenic.
+
+Dr. Lewis, the other physician, who has likewise been sworn, stood by
+all the while, and confirms Dr. Addington's evidence, tells you he
+observed the same symptoms, and gives it absolutely as his opinion
+that Mr. Blandy died by poison, of which he has not the least doubt.
+
+The next witness that is called on the part of the Crown is Benjamin
+Norton, who is an apothecary at Henley. He tells you he was sent for
+to Mrs. Mounteney's, in Henley, on Thursday morning, the 8th of
+August; that there was a pan brought thither by Susan Gunnel, Mr.
+Blandy's maidservant, with some water gruel in it; that he was asked
+what that powder was in the bottom of the pan, to which he replied
+that it was impossible to say whilst it was wet in the gruel, but that
+he would take it out; that accordingly he did take it out and laid it
+upon paper, and gave it to Mrs. Mounteney to keep, which she did till
+the Sunday following, when it was delivered to him, and he showed it
+to Dr. Addington, to whom he gave some of it twice, and, by the
+experiment made upon it with a hot poker, he apprehended it to be of
+the arsenic kind; that the powder he gave Dr. Addington was the same
+that he received from Mrs. Mounteney; that he has some of it still by
+him, which, he now produces in Court. He tells you that he was sent
+for to Mr. Blandy on Tuesday, the 6th of August; that he was very ill,
+as he imagined, of colic, and complained of a violent pain in his
+stomach, attended with reaching and purging and swelling of the
+bowels; that he took physic on Wednesday morning, from which he found
+himself better; that on Thursday he went there in the morning, but did
+not then see him, but went again about twelve o'clock, and then saw
+him; he desired to have more physic, which he sent him to take on the
+Friday morning; that he has been used to attend Mr. Blandy, but that
+he never saw him thus out of order; that the last illness that he had
+had was thirteen months before. He tells you that he has heard the
+prisoner say that she had heard music in the house, which portended
+something, and that Cranstoun had seen her father's apparition, and
+this was some months before her father's death; he says that he cannot
+tell who it was sent for him, but that when he came he found Mr.
+Blandy and the prisoner together; that he asked if he had eaten
+anything that had disagreed with him, to which the prisoner made
+answer, nothing that she knew of, except some peas on the Saturday
+night before; that at that time he did not apprehend anything of
+poison, nor did Mr. Blandy mention anything of taking the gruel to
+him; that on Saturday the prisoner desired he would take care of her
+father, and if there were any danger, call for help; he told her he
+thought he was in great danger, and then she begged Dr. Addington
+might be sent for. Mr. Blandy himself would have deferred it till the
+next day, but she, notwithstanding, sent for him immediately. He tells
+you that as to the powder he found it to be gritty, and had no smell;
+at first he could not tell what it was till he took notice of the old
+woman's symptoms to be the same as Mr. Blandy's; then he suspected
+foul play, and from what he heard in the family suspected Miss Blandy.
+
+Mrs. Mounteney is then called, who tells you that she remembers Susan
+Gunnell bringing a pan to her house with water gruel and powder at the
+bottom of it on Thursday; that she sent for Norton, the apothecary,
+who took the powder out, and laid it on white paper, which he gave to
+her to keep till it was called for; that she locked it up, and
+delivered the same to Norton on the Sunday following; she tells you
+that the prisoner always behaved dutifully to her father, as far as
+ever she saw, when in his presence; that she did not mention the paper
+left with her to anybody till it was fetched away on Sunday morning,
+the 11th of August; that she was not at Mr. Blandy's in that time, and
+neither saw him nor the prisoner, but she was there on the Sunday
+afternoon, though she did not then mention anything of it.
+
+The next witness is Susan Gunnell, who tells you that she carried the
+pan of water gruel to Mrs. Mounteney's from Mr. Blandy's, which had
+been made at his house the Sunday seven-night before his death by
+himself; that she set it in the common pantry, where all the family
+used to go, and observed nobody to be busy there afterwards; but on
+Monday the prisoner told her she had been stirring her papa's water
+gruel and eating the oatmeal out of the bottom; that she gave him a
+half-pint mug of it that Monday night before he went to bed; that she
+saw the prisoner take the teaspoon that was in the mug, stir it about,
+and then put her fingers to the spoon, and rub them together, and then
+he drank some part of it; that on Tuesday morning she did not see him
+when first he came downstairs, and the first time she saw him was
+between nine and ten o'clock, when Miss Blandy and he were together;
+that he then said he was not well, and going to lie down; that on
+Tuesday evening Robert Harman bid her warm her master some water
+gruel, for he was in haste for supper; that she warmed him some of
+the same, which Miss Blandy carried into the parlour, and she believes
+he ate of it, for there was about half left in the morning; that she
+met him that night, after the water gruel, as he was going up to bed;
+as soon as he got into the room he called for a basin to reach, and
+seemed to be very sick by reaching several times; the next morning
+about six o'clock she carries him up his physic, when he told her he
+had had a pretty good night, and was better; but he had vomited in the
+night, as she judges by the basin, which she had left clean, and was
+then about half-full; that on Wednesday the prisoner came into the
+kitchen and said to her that as her master had taken physic he might
+want water gruel, therefore she might give him the same again, and not
+leave her work to make fresh, as she was busy ironing; to which she
+answered that it was stale, if there was enough of it; that it would
+not take much time, and she would make fresh, and accordingly did so;
+that she had the evening before taken up the pan, and disliked the
+taste, and thought it stale, but was now willing to taste it again;
+that she put the pan to her mouth and drank some of it, and then
+observed some whiteness at the bottom, and told Betty Binfield that
+she never saw any oatmeal settlement so white before, whereupon Betty
+Binfield looked at it, and said "Oatmeal this! I think it looks as
+white as flour"; she then took it out of doors, where there was more
+light, and putting her finger to the bottom of the pan, found it
+gritty, upon which she recollected that she had heard that poison was
+white and gritty, which made her fear this might be poison; she
+therefore locked it up in a closet, and on Thursday morning carried it
+to Mrs. Mounteney's, where Mr. Norton saw it. She tells you that about
+six weeks before Mr. Blandy's death she was not very well herself, and
+Miss Blandy then asked her what was the matter with her, and what she
+had eaten or drank; to which she answered that she knew not what ailed
+her, but she had taken nothing more than the rest of the family; upon
+which the prisoner said to her, "Susan, have you eaten any water
+gruel? For I am told it hurts me, and may hurt you." To which she
+answered, "Madam, it cannot affect me, for I have eaten none." She
+then mentions a conversation that Betty Binfield told her she had with
+the prisoner on the same subject, but that you will hear from Betty
+Binfield herself. She then tells you that on the Wednesday morning,
+after she had given her master his physic, she saw Ann Emmet, the
+charwoman, and said to her, "Dame, you used to be fond of water gruel;
+here's a fine mess for you which my master left last night"; and
+thereupon warmed it, and gave it her; that the woman sat down on a
+bench in the kitchen and drank some of it, but not all, and said the
+house smelt of physic, and everything tasted of physic, and she must
+go out and reach before she could finish it; that she went out to the
+wash-house, as she believes; that in about half an hour she followed
+her, and then found her in the necessary-house reaching, and, as she
+said, purging; that the old woman stayed there an hour and a half,
+during which time she went frequently to her, and carried her surfeit
+water; she said she was no better, and desired some fair water, upon
+which she persuaded her to come into the house, but she said she was
+not able without help; that then she led her in and put her in a chair
+by the fire, where the coughing and reaching continued; that she
+stayed in the house half an hour, and grew worse, and she thought her
+in a fit or seized with death; that about nine of the clock that
+morning she went up to Miss Blandy and acquainted her that her dame
+had been very ill and complained that the smell of physic had made her
+sick, and at the same time told her that she had eaten nothing but a
+little of her master's water gruel, which could not hurt her, to which
+the prisoner said, "That she was glad she was not below stairs, for
+she should have been shocked to have seen her poor dame so ill." She
+tells you that sometimes the prisoner talked affectionately of her
+father, and at other times but middling, and called him an old villain
+for using an only child so. Sometimes she wished for his long life,
+and sometimes for his death, and would often say, "That she was very
+awkward, and that if her father was dead she would go to Scotland and
+live with Lady Cranstoun; that by her father's constitution he might
+live twenty years, but sometimes would say she did not think he looked
+so well." She remembers Dr. Addington being sent for on Saturday
+evening, and tells you that the prisoner was not debarred going into
+her father's room till Sunday night, when Mr. Norton brought her down
+with him, and told this witness not to suffer any person to go into
+her master's room except herself, who looked after him. That about ten
+of the clock on Monday morning the prisoner came into the room after
+Mr. Norton; that she then fell on her knees to her father, and said,
+"Sir, banish me where you please; do with me what you please, so you
+do, but forgive me; and as for Cranstoun, I will never see him, speak
+to him, or write to him more as long as I live if you will forgive
+me." To which the deceased made answer, "I forgive thee, my dear, and
+I hope God will forgive thee; but thee shouldst have considered better
+before thee attemptedst anything against thy father; thee shouldst
+have considered I was thy own father." That the prisoner then said,
+"Sir, as to your illness I am entirely innocent." To which the witness
+replied, "Madam, I believe you must not say you are entirely innocent,
+for the powder left in the water gruel and the paper of powder taken
+out of the fire are now in such hands that they must be publicly
+produced." The witness then told her that she believed she had herself
+taken, about six weeks before, a dose in tea that was prepared for her
+master. To which the prisoner answered, "I have put no powder in tea;
+I have put powder in water gruel. If you have received any injury I
+am entirely innocent; it was given me with another intent." The
+deceased hearing this turned himself in his bed, and said, "Oh, such a
+villain! Come to my house, eat of the best and drink of the best my
+house could afford, should take away my life and ruin my daughter. Oh!
+my dear, thee must hate that man; thee must hate the ground he goes
+on; thee can'st not help it." That the prisoner replied, "Sir, your
+tenderness to me is like a sword to my heart. Every word you say is
+like swords piercing my heart, much worse than if you were to be ever
+so angry. I must down on my knees and beg you will not curse me." To
+which her father answered, "I curse thee, my dear! How shouldst think
+I could curse thee? No; I bless thee, and hope God will bless thee,
+and amend thy life. Do, my dear, go out of the room; say no more lest
+thee shouldst say anything to thy own prejudice. Go to thy Uncle
+Stevens; take him for thy friend. Poor man, I am sorry for him." And
+that then the prisoner went directly out of the room. This witness
+further tells you that on the Saturday before she was in the kitchen
+about twelve o'clock at noon, when the prisoner having wrote the
+direction of a letter to her uncle Stevens and going to the fire to
+dry it, she observed her put a paper or two into the fire, and saw her
+thrust them down with a stick; that Elizabeth Binfield, then putting
+some fresh coals on, she believes kept the paper from being consumed,
+soon after which the prisoner left the kitchen, and she herself
+acquainted Betty Binfield that the prisoner had been burning
+something; that Betty Binfield asked where, and the witness pointed to
+the corner of the grate, whereupon Betty Binfield moved a large coal
+and took out a paper and gave it to her; that it was a small piece of
+paper with writing upon it, viz., "The powder to clean the pebbles,"
+to the best of her remembrance. She did not read it herself, but Betty
+Binfield did, and told her what it was; that about eleven or twelve
+o'clock that night she delivered this paper to Betty Binfield again,
+but it had never been out of her pocket till that time. She tells you
+that before this, upon the same Saturday morning, she had been in her
+master's room about seven o'clock to carry him something to drink, and
+when he had drank it she said to him, "Sir, I have something to
+communicate to you which nearly concerns your health and your family,
+I believe you have got something in your water gruel that I am afraid
+has hurt you, and I believe Miss Blandy put it in by her coming into
+the wash-house on Monday and saying that she had been stirring her
+papa's water gruel and eating the oatmeal out of it." Upon which he
+said, "I find I have something not right. My head is not right as it
+used to be, nor has been for some time." This witness told him that
+she had found a powder in the pan, upon which he said to her, "Dost
+thee know anything of this powder? Didst thee ever see any of it?" To
+which she answered, "No, none but what she saw in the water gruel." He
+then asked her, "Dost know where she had this powder, or canst guess?"
+To which she replied, "I cannot guess anywhere, except from Mr.
+Cranstoun. My reason to suspect that is, Miss Blandy has lately had
+letters oftener than usual." Her master then said, "Now you mention
+it, I remember when he was at my house he talked of a particular
+poison they had in his country. Oh! that villain, that ever he came
+into my house." She likewise told him that she had shown the powder to
+Mr. Norton, but he could not tell what it was, as it was wet, but
+whatever it was it ought not to be there. Her master expressed some
+surprise, and said, "Mr. Norton not know! That's strange. A person so
+much used to drugs." She told him Mr. Norton thought it would be
+proper for him (her father) to seize her pockets with her keys and
+papers. To which he said, "I cannot do it; I cannot shock her so much.
+But canst not thee take out a letter or two which she may think she
+has dropped by chance?" The witness told him, "No, sir, I have no
+right; she is your daughter. You may do it, and nobody else." She
+tells you she cannot say how long before this it was that Ann Emmet
+had been sick with the tea; that Miss Blandy then sent her whey and
+broth, a quart or three pints at a time, once a day or every other
+day; that she herself once drank a dish of tea on a Sunday morning out
+of her master's dish, which was not well relished, and she thought
+somebody had been taking salts in that cup; and this was about six
+weeks and three days before her master's death; that she found no ill
+effect from it till after dinner that day; she had then a hardness at
+her stomach, which she apprehended was from eating plentifully of
+beans at dinner; that afterwards she seemed to have some indigestion,
+and had a remarkable trembling upon her; that she had no other
+symptoms for three days, but afterwards, for about three days more,
+she was troubled with a reaching every morning. She says she tasted
+the water gruel twice, once on the Tuesday, when she was mixing it for
+her master, and again on the Wednesday, but found no remarkable
+disorder till about two o'clock on the Wednesday morning before her
+master's death, when she was seized with convulsions. She says that
+her throat continued troublesome for six or seven weeks after she had
+drank the tea, and continued ill for three weeks after her master's
+death. She remembered once that the prisoner had a large box of linen
+and some pebbles from Mr. Cranstoun in the spring, before her master's
+death, and a small box of Scotch pebbles afterwards, about three
+months before his death; that the prisoner showed the pebbles to many
+of her acquaintance, but the witness never heard of powder to clean
+them; she tells you that about a year before his death her master had
+a cold, but she does not remember he was so ill as to send for the
+apothecary; that he used to be equally complaining of the gravel,
+gout, and heartburn for twelve years; knows nothing particular of any
+complaint but the heartburn, and that he may have complained of all
+the time she has lived in the house, but she is not positive.
+
+She says the prisoner's behaviour to her father, in general, seemed to
+be dutiful, but she used undutiful expressions in her passions; that
+there had been no conversation between her master and the prisoner
+before her asking forgiveness, but a message sent by him to her that
+he was willing to forgive her if she would bring that villain to
+justice; in all he said afterwards he seemed to speak of his daughter
+as if he believed her innocent of any intention to hurt him, and
+looked on Cranstoun as the first mover and contriver of all, and had
+said, "Poor, unfortunate girl, that ever she should be led away by
+such a villain to do such a thing!" She believes he thought his
+daughter unacquainted with the effects of the powder; that the
+prisoner during his illness kept him company and directed everything
+for him as for herself; the prisoner knew her father was ill on Monday
+and Tuesday nights, but would not take upon her to say that she knew
+what was the cause of it, but she knew that the charwoman had been ill
+on the Wednesday morning before she told the witness that the old
+water gruel would serve for her father.
+
+The next witness is Elizabeth Binfield, who tells you that she was a
+servant to the deceased almost three years before his death; that he
+first complained of unusual pains and prickings about a fortnight
+before his death; that she has often heard the prisoner mention
+walking and music that she had heard in the house; that she thought it
+to be her mother; and three-quarters of a year before her master's
+death the prisoner told her that the music presaged his death, and
+continued talking in the same way to the time of it; that she has
+often heard her say he would die before October; that the prisoner
+told her that Mr. Cranstoun had informed her that a famous woman, one
+Mrs. Morgan, who lived in Scotland or London, but which the witness
+cannot say, had said so; that the prisoner used to appear glad when
+she spoke of the prospect of her father's death, for that then she
+should be released from all her fatigues and be happy. She tells you
+she heard the prisoner say that her father complained of a ball of
+fire in his guts before the Monday on which he took the water gruel;
+she tells you that she remembers that Ann Emmet, the charwoman, was
+ill about five or six weeks before this time, and that the prisoner
+ordered her white wine, whey, and broth; that she herself made the
+broth two or three times, two quarts at a time. She says that on
+Saturday, the 10th of August, the paper was taken out of the fire by
+herself, which she looks upon, and says she really believes it to be
+the same which she gave to Susan Gunnell, had again from her, and then
+delivered to Dr. Addington and Mr. Norton. She tells you that, when
+Susan Gunnell was ill, the prisoner asked this witness if Susan had
+taken any of her father's water gruel, and upon her answering, "Not
+that I know," the prisoner said, "If she does, she may do for herself,
+may I tell you." With this conversation she acquainted Susan Gunnell
+about a month or six weeks before her master's death, in which
+particular she is confirmed by Susan Gunnell. She says, further, that
+she heard the prisoner say, "Who would grudge to send an old father to
+hell for L10,000?" And this she introduced by talking of young girls
+being kept out of their fortunes. She has heard the prisoner often
+curse her father and call him rascal and villain. She says that Mr.
+Cranstoun had been at her master's about three-quarters of a year
+before his death, and she believes her master did not approve of his
+being so much with his daughter, as she judged by his temper; but she
+does not believe he debarred his daughter from keeping him company.
+She says that, upon Saturday, the 10th of August, she was in the
+kitchen when her master was shaving, and the prisoner was there, and
+her master said he had once like to have been poisoned at a
+public-house; to which the prisoner answered that she remembered it
+very well. Her master said that one of the company died immediately,
+the other is now dead, but it was his fortune to be poisoned at last;
+and then looked hard at the prisoner, who appeared in great confusion,
+and seemed all in a tremble. Her master said further that it was white
+arsenic that was put into their wine. This witness then tells you that
+she sat up with the prisoner the night her father died till three
+o'clock, but the prisoner went to bed about one; that they had no
+discourse at all of her father. But the prisoner asked her if she
+would go away with her, and offered, if she would go to the Bell or
+the Lion and hire a post-chaise, she would give her fifteen guineas at
+getting into the chaise and ten guineas more when they got to London;
+that, on the witness refusing to comply with this request, the
+prisoner burst into laughter and said she was only joking. She tells
+you further that she heard the prisoner tell Dr. Addington that she
+had given the powder to her father before, and then it was in tea;
+that she was afraid of a discovery, so flung it away, and filled the
+cup up again, which Susan Gunnell drank, and was ill for a week after.
+She says that upon Monday, the 5th of August, the prisoner came into
+the wash-house and said that she had been in the pantry eating oatmeal
+out of her father's gruel, which she little regarded then. But the
+same day, in the afternoon, she saw the prisoner in the pantry, take a
+teaspoon, and stir the water gruel, which was in a pan, and then
+rubbed it between her fingers; that on the Tuesday evening the
+prisoner came into the kitchen to her and said, "Betty, if one thing
+should happen, will you go into Scotland with me?" To which she said,
+"Madam, I do not know." "What," says the prisoner, "you are unwilling
+to leave your friends?" To which the witness replied that, if she
+should go there and not like it, it would be expensive travelling. She
+says that on Monday morning, the 12th of August, she went on a message
+from the prisoner to beg of her father that she might speak one word
+with him, which, being granted, the prisoner went up; and that she
+afterwards met the prisoner coming out of her father's room, when she
+clasped the witness round the neck, burst out a-crying, and said to
+her, "Susan and you are the two honestest servants in the world; you
+deserve to be imaged in gold for your honesty; half my fortune will
+not make you amends for your honesty to my father." She tells you that
+her master had been out of order about twelve months before this time,
+and that it was at the time when Susan Gunnell was ill by drinking the
+tea that the prisoner cautioned her about Susan's drinking her
+father's water gruel.
+
+Dr. Addington having been appealed to by the last witness, in the
+course of her evidence, is again called up, and confirms all that this
+witness has said, except he does not remember the circumstance of
+Susan Gunnell's being ill with the tea.
+
+He says that the prisoner always told him she thought it an innocent
+powder, but said it was impossible to express her horror that she was
+the cause of her father's death, though she protested that she thought
+it innocent when she gave it, for Mr. Cranstoun had assured her that
+he used to take it himself, and called it a love-powder; that she had
+a letter from him directing her to give it in gruel, as she had
+informed him it did not mix in tea; that "for her own part she desired
+life for no other purpose than only to go through a severe penance for
+her sins"; that, on her being pressed by him to discover all she knew
+relating to Cranstoun, her answer was that "she was fully conscious of
+her own guilt, and would not add guilt to guilt, for she looked on
+Cranstoun as her husband, though the ceremony had not passed between
+them." He tells you further that he does not remember that she gave
+him any satisfactory answer to any of the questions which he put to
+her, which he has repeated to you, and which are very material ones,
+but always persisted that she was entirely ignorant of the effects of
+the powder till she saw them on her father; and often said, "Pray God
+send it may not kill him," after he had told her, and her father too,
+the danger of her father, and that he apprehended her to be undone. He
+then tells you he attended Susan Gunnell, who had the same symptoms
+with the deceased, but in a less degree. He also attended Ann Emmet,
+who had the same symptoms, and told her that she was poisoned.
+
+Alice Emmet is then called, who is daughter to Ann Emmet, the old
+charwoman, who gives you an account that her mother was charwoman at
+Mr. Blandy's in June last, in the time of hay harvest; that she was
+then taken sick, was seized in the night-time with a vomiting and
+purging, and this witness went in the morning to the prisoner, by her
+mother's desire, and acquainted her with the condition she was in;
+that the prisoner said she was sorry, and would send her something to
+drink, which she did in about an hour or two afterwards.
+
+The next witness is Mr. Littleton, who had been clerk to the deceased
+about two years, and tells you he came home from his father's, in
+Warwickshire, upon the 9th of August last; that the next morning the
+prisoner, her father, and himself were at breakfast together; that
+they stayed for the deceased some time; that when he came he appeared
+to be ill and in great agony; that he had always a particular cup to
+himself; that he tasted his tea and did not like it, but said it had a
+gritty, bad taste, and asked the prisoner if she had not put too much
+of the black stuff in it (meaning Bohea tea). The prisoner said it was
+as usual. He then tasted it again and said it had a bad taste, and
+looked very particularly at her. She seemed in a flurry, and walked
+out of the room. The deceased then poured the tea into the oat's basin
+and went away. Soon after the prisoner came into the room again, when
+he told her that he thought the deceased was very ill, for that he
+could not eat his breakfast; on which she asked what he had done with
+it, and, upon his acquainting her that it was poured into the cat's
+basin, she seemed a good deal confused; that the next day, being
+Sunday, Mr. Blandy, of Kingston, came to their house, and went to
+church along with him; that after they returned from church the
+prisoner desired this witness to walk with her and Mr. Blandy in the
+garden, when she put a letter into his hand and bid him direct it as
+usual, which he understood to be to Mr. Cranstoun (having been used to
+direct others before), to seal it, and put it in the post. He tells
+you he had then heard so much that he opened the letter, transcribed
+it, carried it to Mr. Norton, and read it to the deceased, who only
+said, "Poor, love-sick girl! what won't a girl do for a man she
+loves?" This letter he has now looked at, tells you that it is written
+worse than usual, therefore he cannot swear whether it is her hand or
+no, but he can swear it is the same she gave him. The letter itself
+has been read to you, and I will make no remarks upon it. He tells you
+that after Mr. Cranstoun was gone from Henley, in August 1750, he has
+often heard the prisoner say that she heard music, which portended
+death in the family, and sometimes thought it might be herself,
+sometimes her father, because he was so much broken; that he has heard
+her say death would happen before October; that he has often heard her
+curse her father, damn him for a rogue and a toothless old dog, within
+two months of his death and a great while before; that he has told her
+himself that he thought Mr. Blandy seemed broken, upon which she said
+she thought so too, and that the music portended his death.
+
+Robert Harman is called next, who tells you that he was servant to Mr.
+Blandy at the time of his death; that the night his master died the
+prisoner asked him where he should live next, on which he told her he
+did not know; and she then asked him if he would go away with her,
+and, upon his saying he did not care to do so, she told him no hurt
+would come to him, but it would be L500 in his way, and wanted him to
+go away then immediately. He says the prisoner behaved well to her
+father and all the family, as far as he knows, and never heard her
+swear about her father.
+
+The next witness is Richard Fisher, who was one of the jury on
+inspection of the body of the deceased. On Thursday, the 15th of
+August, he was informed that Miss Blandy was gone over Henley Bridge,
+and went to her at the Angel. When he came into the room he told her
+he was sorry for her misfortune, and asked her if she would not be
+glad to go home again. She said she should, but could not get through
+the mob, upon which he got a covered post-chaise and carried her home.
+As they were going she asked him if she was to go to Oxford that
+night; that he told her he believed not. When he brought her to her
+father's house he delivered her up to the constable; that after this
+he was upon the jury, and when he went to her again she asked him how
+it was likely to go with her, upon which he told her he was afraid
+very hardly, unless she could produce letters or papers of consequence
+to bring Cranstoun to justice. Upon which she said, "Dear Mr. Fisher,
+I have burnt those letters that would have brought him to justice,"
+and gave a key out of her pocket to search a drawer for letters; but
+none being found, she said, "My honour to him (meaning Cranstoun) will
+prove my ruin."
+
+Mrs. Lane is then called, who says she went to the Angel along with
+her husband, when the prisoner was there. The first word she heard her
+husband say was, if she was guilty she would suffer according to law;
+upon which the prisoner stamped on the ground, and the first thing she
+heard her say was, "O that damned villain!" then paused a little and
+went on again, "But why do I blame him? I am more to blame myself, for
+it was I gave it him, and know the consequence." Upon being asked
+whether she said "I knew" or "I know," the witness tells you that she
+will not be positive which, but the prisoner was in a sort of agony;
+whichever way it was, it may make some little difference, but nothing
+material.
+
+Mr. Lane, the husband of the last witness, is then called, and tells
+you that he went into the room before his wife; that the prisoner rose
+and met him, told him he was a stranger to her, but, as he appeared
+like a gentleman, she asked him what they would do with her; that he
+told her she would be committed to the county gaol, and tried at the
+assizes; if her innocence appeared she would be acquitted, if not, she
+would suffer accordingly. Upon which she stamped with her foot and
+said, "O that damned villain! But why do I blame him? I am more to
+blame"; that then Mr. Littleton came in, which took off his attention;
+that he did not hear what followed so as to be able to give an account
+of it.
+
+The letter from the prisoner to Captain Cranstoun, without any date to
+it, which was opened by Littleton, has, then, been read to you, and
+with that the counsel for the Crown conclude their evidence.
+
+The prisoner in her defence complains of hard usage she has met with,
+denies her ever speaking ill of her father, owns herself to be
+passionate, and complains that words of heat upon family affairs have
+been misconstrued and applied to an ill intention in her; that she was
+not in her senses when she lost her father, nor in a proper dress to
+make her escape when she went over Henley Bridge; that she was taken
+in at the Angel by the woman of the house out of more compassion, and
+was then desirous to put herself under the protection of the town
+sergeant; that, during her confinement, she was not suffered to have
+decent attendance for a woman; that she was affronted by her own
+servants, cruelly traduced, and heavily ironed, without any reasonable
+cause; that she thought the powder innocent, and never had a thought
+of hurting her father; but her own ruin is effected by such an
+imputation upon her, and her appearance here, without her being
+convicted. She then calls her witnesses, and the first is Ann James,
+who tells you she lives at Henley, and used to wash at Mr. Blandy's
+house; that she remembers that some time before Mr. Blandy's illness
+there was a difference between the prisoner and Elizabeth Binfield,
+and that the latter was to go away; and that she has heard Elizabeth
+Binfield curse the prisoner and damn her for a bitch, and say she
+would not stay; that since this affair happened she heard her say
+(speaking of the prisoner), "Damn her for a black bitch; she should be
+glad to see her go up the ladder and swing." She tells you that, when
+this conversation happened, the prisoner was gone to gaol, that it was
+in Mr. Blandy's kitchen, and that Nurse Edwards, Mary Seymour, and
+Mary Banks were present.
+
+Elizabeth Binfield is then called up again, and absolutely denies the
+words she is charged with; she says she never acquainted the witness
+with any quarrel she had had, to the best of her remembrance, but that
+she had some few words of difference with the prisoner, who had said
+that she was to go away.
+
+Mary Banks is then called, who says that she was in Mr. Blandy's
+kitchen while he was dead in the house; but she does not remember who
+was in company, nor any conversation that passed between Elizabeth
+Binfield and Ann James till the words are directly put into her mouth,
+and then she recollects that Elizabeth Binfield said "she should be
+glad to see Miss Blandy, that black bitch, go up the ladder to be
+hanged;" but she tells you this was on the night that Mr. Blandy was
+opened, and that the prisoner was then in the house.
+
+Those two witnesses are called to impeach the credit of Elizabeth
+Binfield as having a prejudice against the prisoner; but I see no
+great stress to be laid on their evidence, for they manifestly
+contradict one another, but do not falsify her in any one thing she
+has said.
+
+The next witness that she calls is Edward Herne, who was a servant to
+Mr. Blandy eighteen years ago, and has left his place about twelve
+years; but he has been very seldom without going three or four days a
+week to his house ever since; that the prisoner's general behaviour to
+her father and the family was as well as anybody could do, with
+affection and duty, as far as ever he saw; that on the Monday night
+before Mr. Blandy died he went to the house, and that neither the
+prisoner nor he could speak for some minutes, which he attributed to
+her great concern; that she was put into his custody that night; that
+on hearing the groans of her father he went into him, at her desire,
+to inquire how he did; that he never heard her swear or speak
+disrespectfully of her father. He says he was not in the way when she
+went over Henley Bridge (being sent to dig a grave, he being sexton);
+that he has seen her since her confinement at Oxford, and she told him
+that Captain Cranstoun had before put some powder in her father's tea;
+that she turned about, and when she turned again he was stirring it
+in; that on a report that Captain Cranstoun was taken, she wrung her
+hands and said, "She hoped in God it was true, that he might be
+brought to justice as well as herself; that as she was to suffer the
+punishment due to her crime, he might do so too;" but at the same time
+she declared that when Cranstoun put the powder into the tea, and she
+herself did so afterwards, she saw no ill effects of it, or saw any
+harm from it; but if he were taken it would bring the whole to light,
+for she was innocent, and knew no more of its being poison than any
+person there.
+
+[Illustration: Miss Mary Blandy, with scene of her Execution
+(_From an Engraving by B. Cole, after an original Painting_.)]
+
+Thomas Cawley, the next witness, says that he has known the prisoner
+for twenty years and upwards; that he was intimate in the family, and
+never saw any other than the behaviour of a dutiful daughter from her.
+
+Thomas Staverton, that he has known the prisoner five- or
+six-and-twenty years; that he has lived near the family, and always
+thought that her father and she were very happy in each other. He has
+observed that Mr. Blandy was declining in his health; for four years
+or more he seemed to shrink, and believes he was about sixty-two years
+of age.
+
+Mary Davis is the next witness. She lives at the Angel, by Henley
+Bridge, and remembers the prisoner coming over the day her father was
+opened; that she was walking along with a great crowd after her; that
+she went to her and asked her what was the matter, and where she was
+going. The prisoner said she was going to walk for the air, for that
+they were going to open her father, and that she could not bear the
+house. The mob followed so close that she invited the prisoner into
+her house, which she accepted, and was walking gently, and had not the
+appearance of making an escape.
+
+Robert Stoke tells you he knows the last witness, Mrs. Davis, and saw
+the prisoner with her in her house the day her father was opened; that
+he was ordered by the mayor to take care of the prisoner, which she
+said she was very glad of, because the mob was about; and he did not
+observe any inclination or attempt whatsoever to make an escape.
+
+This, gentlemen, is the substance of the evidence on both sides, as
+nearly as I can recollect it. I have not wilfully omitted or misstated
+any part of it; but if I have, I hope the gentlemen who are of counsel
+on either side will be so kind as to set me right.
+
+A very tragical story it is, gentlemen, that you have heard, and upon
+which you are now to form your judgment and give your verdict.
+
+The crime with which the prisoner stands charged is of the most
+heinous nature and blackest dye, attended with considerations that
+shock human nature, being not only murder, but parricide--the murder
+of her own father. But the more atrocious, the more flagrant the crime
+is, the more clearly and satisfactory you will expect that it should
+be made out to you.
+
+In all cases of murder it is of necessity that there should be malice
+aforethought, which is the essence of and constitutes the offence; but
+that malice may be either express or implied by the law. Express
+malice must arise from the previous acts or declarations of the party
+offending, but implied malice may arise from numbers of circumstances
+relating either to the nature of the act itself, the manner of
+executing it, the person killing, or the person killed, from, which
+the law will as certainly infer malice as where it is express.
+
+Poison in particular is in its nature so secret, and withal so
+deliberate, that wherever that is knowingly given, and death ensues,
+the so putting to death can be no other than wilful and malicious.
+
+In the present case, which is to be made out by circumstances, great
+part of the evidence must rest upon presumption, in which the law
+makes a distinction. A slight or probable presumption only has little
+or no weight, but a violent presumption amounts in law to full proof,
+that is, where circumstances speak so strongly that to suppose the
+contrary would be absurd. I mention this to you that you may fix your
+attention on the several circumstances that have been laid before you,
+and consider whether you can collect from them such a presumption as
+the law calls a violent presumption, and from which you must conclude
+the prisoner to be guilty. I would observe further that where that
+presumption necessarily arises from circumstances they are more
+convincing and satisfactory than any other kind of evidence, because
+facts cannot lie.
+
+I cannot now go through the evidence again, but you will consider the
+whole together, and from thence determine what you think it amounts
+to. Thus far is undeniably true, and agreed on all sides, that Mr.
+Blandy died by poison, and that that poison was administered to him by
+his daughter, the prisoner at the bar. What you are to try is reduced
+to this single question--whether the prisoner, at the time she gave it
+to her father, knew that it was poison, and what effect it would have?
+
+If you believe that she knew it to be poison, the other part, viz.,
+that she knew the effect, is consequential, and you must find her
+guilty. On the other hand, if you are satisfied, from her general
+character, from what has been said by the evidence on her part, and
+from what she has said herself, that she did not know it to be poison,
+nor had any malicious intention against her father, you ought to
+acquit her. But if you think she knowingly gave poison to her father,
+you can do no other than find her guilty.
+
+
+
+
+The jury consulted together about five minutes and then turned to the
+Court.
+
+CLERK OF ARRAIGNS--Gentlemen, are you all agreed on your verdict?
+
+JURY--Yes.
+
+CLERK OF ARRAIGNS--Who shall say for you?
+
+JURY--Our foreman.
+
+CLERK OF ARRAIGNS--Mary Blandy, hold up thy hand (which she did).
+Gentlemen of the jury, look upon the prisoner. How say you, is Mary
+Blandy guilty of the felony and murder whereof she stands indicted or
+not guilty?
+
+JURY--Guilty.
+
+CLERK OF ARRAIGNS--What goods or chattels, lands or tenements, had she
+at the time of the same felony and murder committed, or at any time
+since to your knowledge?
+
+JURY--None.
+
+CLERK OF ARRAIGNS--Hearken, to your verdict as the Court hath recorded
+it. You say that Mary Blandy is guilty of the felony and murder
+whereof she stands indicted, and that she has not any goods or
+chattels, lands or tenements, at the time of the said felony and
+murder committed, or at any time since, to your knowledge, and so you
+say all.
+
+CLERK OF ARRAIGNS--Mary Blandy, hold up thy hand. You have been
+indicted of felony and murder. You have been thereupon arraigned, and
+pleaded thereto not guilty, and for your trial you have put yourself
+upon God and your country, which country have found you guilty. What
+have you now to say for yourself why the Court should not proceed to
+give judgment of death upon you according to law?
+
+CRYER--Oyez! My lords the King's justices do strictly charge and
+command all manner of persons to keep silence whilst sentence of death
+is passing on the prisoner at the bar, upon pain of imprisonment.
+
+Mr. Baron Legge--Mary Blandy, you have been indicted for the murder of
+your father, and for your trial have put yourself upon God and your
+country. That country has found you guilty.
+
+You have had a long and a fair trial, and sorry I am that it falls to
+my lot to acquaint you that I am now no more at liberty to suppose you
+innocent than I was before to presume you guilty.
+
+You are convicted of a crime so dreadful, so horrid in itself, that
+human nature shudders at it--the wilful murder of your own father! A
+father by all accounts the most fond, the most tender, the most
+indulgent that ever lived. That father with his dying breath forgave
+you. May your heavenly Father do so too!
+
+It is hard to conceive that anything could induce you to perpetrate an
+act so shocking, so impossible to reconcile to nature or reason. One
+should have thought your own sense, your education, and even the
+natural softness of your sex, might have secured you from an attempt
+so barbarous and so wicked.
+
+What views you had, or what was your intention, is best known to
+yourself. With God and your conscience be it. At this bar we can judge
+only from appearances and from the evidence produced to us. But do not
+deceive yourself; remember you are very shortly to appear before a
+much more awful tribunal, where no subterfuge can avail, no art, no
+disguise can screen you from the Searcher of all hearts--"He revealeth
+the deep and secret things, He knoweth what is in the darkness, and
+the light dwelleth with Him."
+
+Let me advise you to make the best and wisest use of the little time
+you are likely to continue in this world. Apply to the throne of
+grace, and endeavour to make your peace with that Power whose justice
+and mercy are both infinite.
+
+Nothing now remains but to pronounce the sentence of the law upon you,
+which is--
+
+"That you are to be carried to the place of execution and there hanged
+by the neck until you are dead; and may God of His infinite mercy
+receive your soul."
+
+The prisoner then addressed herself to the judge in this manner--
+
+  "My lord, as your lordship has been so good to show so much candour
+  and impartiality in the course of my trial, I have one favour more
+  to beg, which is, that your lordship would please to allow me a
+  little time till I can settle my affairs, and make my peace with
+  God."
+
+To which his lordship replied--"To be sure, you shall have a proper
+time allowed you."
+
+On Monday, the 6th of April following, the prisoner was executed at
+Oxford, according to the sentence pronounced against her.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDICES.
+
+
+APPENDIX I.
+
+Proceedings before the Coroner relative to the Death of Mr. Francis
+Blandy.
+
+(From No. 2 of Bibliography, Appendix XII.)
+
+
+_I.--Depositions of Witnesses._
+
+Town of Henley-on-Thames in the County of Oxford. To wit, DEPOSITIONS
+OF WITNESSES AND EXAMINATIONS taken on oath the 15th day of August
+1751, before Richard Miles, Gent. Mayor and Coroner of the said town;
+and also before the jury impannelled to inquire into the cause of the
+death of Francis Blandy, Gent. now lying dead.
+
+ANTHONY ADDINGTON of Reading, in the County of Berkshire, Doctor of
+Physick, maketh oath and saith, That Mary Blandy, daughter of Francis
+Blandy, Gent. deceased, acknowledged to this deponent, that she
+received of the Hon. William Henry Cranstoun, a powder which was
+called a powder to clean the stones or pebbles, which were sent to her
+at the same time as a present; and that Monday, the 5th instant, she
+mixed part of the said powder in a mess of water gruel; but said,
+that, she did not know that it was poison, till she found the effects
+of it on her father; for that the said Mr. Cranstoun had assured her,
+that if she gave her father now and then of the said powder in gruel,
+or any other thin liquor, it would make him kind to her: And that the
+said Mr. Cranstoun assured her, that it was innocent, and that he
+frequently took of it himself; and that this deponent received from
+Mr. Benjamin Norton, who was apothecary to the said Francis Blandy,
+some small portion of a powder, which Mr. Norton said was found at the
+bottom of the above-mentioned mess of gruel given to the said Francis
+Blandy on the 5th instant, and that this deponent, after examination
+of the said powder, suspects the same to be poison.
+
+A. ADDINGTON.
+
+Taken on oath, the 15th day of August, 1751, before me
+RICHARD MILES.
+
+
+WILLIAM LEWIS, of the University of Oxford, Doctor of Physick, maketh
+oath and saith, that Mary Blandy, daughter of Francis Blandy, Gent.
+deceased, acknowledged to this deponent, that she had frequently given
+to her said father, the powder which she had received from the Hon.
+William Henry Cranstoun called the powder to clean the stones or
+pebbles, which she had received from him, but that she did not know
+that the said powder was poison, but that it was intended to make her
+father kind to her.
+
+W. LEWIS.
+
+Taken on oath, the 15th day of August, 1751, before me
+RICHARD MILES.
+
+
+EDWARD NICHOLAS of Henley upon Thames, in the County of Oxford,
+surgeon, upon his oath saith, that he has examined the body of Francis
+Blandy, Gent. deceased, and saith, that he found that the fat on the
+abdomen was near a state of fluidity, and that the muscles and
+membranes were extremely pale; and that the omentum, was
+preternaturally yellow, and that part which covered the stomach was
+brownish; that the external part of the stomach was extremely
+discoloured with livid spots; the internal part was extremely
+inflamed, and covered almost entirely with extravasated blood; the
+intestines were very pale and flabby, and in some parts especially,
+which were near the stomach, there was much extravasated blood; the
+liver was likewise sphacelated, in those parts particularly which were
+contiguous to the stomach; the bile was of a very deep yellow; in the
+gall bladder was found a stone about the size of a large filbert; the
+lungs were covered in every point with black spots; the kidneys,
+spleen and heart were likewise greatly spotted; there was found no
+water in the pericardium; in short, he never found or beheld a body
+in which the viscera were so universally inflamed and mortified.
+
+EDW. NICHOLAS.
+
+Taken on oath the 15th day of August, 1751, before me
+RICHARD MILES.
+
+
+THE DEPOSITIONS AND EXAMINATIONS of A. Addington and William Lewis,
+doctors of physick, taken on their respective oaths, the 15th day of
+August, 1751, before me
+
+RICHARD MILES,
+Mayor and Coroner.
+
+
+The fat on the abdomen was observed to be near a state of fluidity.
+
+The muscles and membranes were extremely pale.
+
+The omentum was preternaturally yellow, and that part which covered
+the stomach was brownish.
+
+The external part of the stomach was extremely discoloured with livid
+spots; the internal part was extremely inflamed, and covered almost
+entirely with extravasated blood.
+
+The intestines were very pale and flabby, and in those parts
+especially which were near the stomach, there was much extravasated
+blood.
+
+The liver was likewise sphacelated, in those parts particularly which
+were contiguous to the stomach.
+
+The bile was of a very deep yellow; in the gall bladder we found a
+stone about the size of a large filbert.
+
+The lungs were covered in every part with black spots.
+
+The kidneys, spleen and heart were likewise greatly spotted; there was
+found no water in the pericardium.
+
+In short, we never beheld a body in which the viscera were so
+universally inflamed and mortified.
+
+It is our real opinion, that the cause of Mr. Blandy's death was
+poison.
+
+A. ADDINGTON.
+W. LEWIS.
+
+
+SUSANNAH GUNNELL, servant to Francis Blandy, Gent. deceased, upon her
+oath saith, that some time last week, she this examinant, gave to the
+said Francis Blandy some water gruel, and saith, that she observed
+that there was some settlement at the bottom of the pan, wherein the
+said water gruel was; and saith, that the same was white and gritty,
+and settled at the bottom of the pan; and saith, that this deponent,
+delivered the said pan, with the gruel and powder settled at the
+bottom thereof to Mr. Benjamin Norton, who was apothecary to the said
+Francis Blandy.
+
+The mark X of the said
+
+SUSANNAH GUNNELL.
+
+Taken on oath the 15th day of August, 1751, before me
+RICHARD MILES.
+
+
+ROBERT HARMAN, servant to Francis Blandy, Gent. deceas'd upon his oath
+saith, that Miss Mary Blandy, told this examinant, that it was
+love-powder which she put into her father's gruel, on Monday 5th day
+of August last, but that she was innocent of the consequence of it.
+
+ROB. HARMAN.
+
+Taken on oath the 15th day of August, 1751, before me
+RICHARD MILES.
+
+
+BENJAMIN NORTON of Henley upon Thames, in the County of Oxon,
+apothecary, upon his oath saith, that on Tuesday the 6th Day of August
+instant, he this examinant was sent to Mr. Francis Blandy, deceased,
+who then complained of a violent pain in his stomach and bowels,
+attended with a violent vomiting and purging; and saith that on the
+Thursday morning following, Susannah Gunnell, servant to the said Mr.
+Blandy, sent to this examinant, to ask his opinion concerning some
+powder she had found in some water gruel, part of which her master had
+drunk; that he took out of the said gruel the said powder, and that he
+has examined the same, and suspects the same to be poison, and
+imagines the powder which was given to the said Francis Blandy, might
+be the occasion of his death, for that this examinant believes he was
+poisoned.
+
+BEN. NORTON.
+
+Taken on oath the 15th day of August, 1751, before me
+RICHARD MILES.
+
+
+ELIZABETH BINFIELD, late servant to Mr. Francis Blandy, deceased, upon
+her oath saith, that about two months ago she heard Miss Mary Blandy
+his daughter say, Who would grudge to send an old father to hell for
+L10,000, and saith, that she hath heard her often wish her father dead
+and at hell; and that he would die next October: and saith that the
+said Mary Blandy a few days since declared to this examinant, that on
+Monday the 5th day of August instant, she the said Mary Blandy put
+some powder, which she called love powder, into some water gruel,
+which was given to and eat by her said father: And further saith, that
+on the said Monday her said master drank some of the said water gruel,
+and saith, that the said Mary Blandy declared to this examinant, that
+her said father had told her he had a ball of fire in his stomach, and
+that he should not be well till the same was out; and saith, that on
+the next day, being Tuesday, her said master continued very ill, and
+in the evening he drank some more of the said water gruel, and was
+immediately afterwards taken very ill, and reached violently, and went
+to bed. On the Wednesday, he the said Francis Blandy took physick, and
+about two of the clock the same day, the said Mary Blandy would have
+had her said father taken the remainder of the said water gruel, but
+the other servant would not let him take it, and was going to throw it
+away, when she espied at the bottom of the basen some white stuff, and
+called to this examinant to look at it, which she did, and the same
+was very white and gritty; and saith, that she heard the said Mary
+Blandy, declare to Doctor Addington, that she never attempted to give
+her said father any powder but once before, and that she then put it
+into his tea, which he did not drink, as it would not mix well.
+
+ELIZ. BINFIELD.
+
+Taken on oath the 15th day of August, 1751, before me
+RICHARD MILES,
+Mayor and Coroner.
+
+
+EDWARD HERNE on his oath saith, that he was a servant or writer to
+Francis Blandy, Gentleman, deceased; and saith, that during the time
+of the illness of the said Francis Blandy, he, this examinant, heard
+Mary Blandy, the daughter of the said Francis Blandy, deceased,
+declare that she had received some powder, with some pebbles from
+Captain Cranstoun, which she said were Love-Powders; and further
+saith, that she told him when she received the same from the said
+Captain Cranstoun, that he desired that she would administer the same
+to her father.
+
+EDW. HERNE.
+
+Taken on oath the 15th day of August, 1751, before me
+RICHARD MILES,
+Mayor and Coroner.
+
+
+
+_II.--Verdict of Jury._
+
+Town of Henley upon Thames in the County of Oxford. To Wit, AN
+INQUISITION indented, taken at the house of John Gale, within the town
+of Henley upon Thames aforesaid, the 15th day of August, in the 25th
+year of the reign of King George the Second, and in the year of our
+Lord 1751.
+
+Before Richard Miles, gentleman, Mayor and Coroner of the said town,
+upon view of the body of Francis Blandy, gentleman, deceased, now
+lying dead, upon the oaths of James Fisher, William Toovey, Benjamin
+Sarney, Peter Sarney, William Norman, Richard Beach, L. Nicholas,
+Thomas Mason, Tho. Staverton, John Blackman, J. Skinner, James
+Lambden, and Richard Fisher, good and lawful men of the said town, who
+having been sworn and charged to enquire for our Sovereign Lord the
+King, when, where, and by what means and after what fashion the said
+Francis Blandy came by his death upon their oaths say, that the said
+Francis Blandy was poisoned; and that they have a strong suspicion,
+from the depositions of the witnesses, that Mary Blandy, daughter of
+the said Francis Blandy, did poison and murder her said father Francis
+Blandy, against the peace of our said Lord the King, his Crown and
+Dignity. In witness of which act and things, as well the Coroner
+aforesaid, as the jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition set their
+hands and seals, the day and year first above written.
+
+This Inquisition was taken the 15th day of August, 1751, before me
+R. Miles,
+Mayor and Coroner.
+
+JAMES FISHER.         THOMAS MASON.
+WILLIAM TOOVEY.       THO. STAVERTON.
+BENJAMIN SARNEY.      JOHN BLACKMAN.
+PETER SARNEY.         J. SKINNER.
+WILLIAM NORMAN.       JAMES LAMBDEN.
+RICHARD BEACH.        RICHARD FISHER.
+L. NICHOLAS.
+
+
+
+_III.--Warrant for Committal of Mary Blandy._
+
+Town of Henley upon Thames in the County of Oxford. To Wit, To the
+Constables of the said town, and to each and every of them, and also
+to the Keeper of his Majesty's Gaol, in and for the said county of
+Oxford.
+
+WHEREAS Mary Blandy, of Henley upon Thames, aforesaid, spinster,
+stands charged upon oath before me, with a violent suspicion of
+poisoning and murdering Francis Blandy, gentleman, her late father,
+deceased: These are in his Majesty's name to require and command the
+said Constables, that you, some or one of you, do forthwith convey the
+said Mary Blandy to his Majesty's said gaol in and for the said
+county, and deliver her to the Keeper thereof: Hereby also requiring
+you the said Keeper to receive into the said gaol the body of the said
+Mary Blandy, and her there safely to keep until she shall be from
+thence discharged by due course of law, and hereof fail not at your
+perils. Given under my hand and seal this 16th day of August, 1751.
+
+RICHARD MILES,
+Mayor and Coroner.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX II.
+
+COPIES OF ORIGINAL LETTERS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM AND PUBLIC RECORD
+OFFICE, RELATING TO THE CASE OF MARY BLANDY.
+
+(_Hitherto Unpublished._)
+
+
+I. LORD HARDWICKE TO DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
+
+(B.M. Add. MS. 32,725, f. 216.)
+
+
+  Wimple, Sept. 27th, 1751.
+
+  My Dear Lord,--I received from Mr. Jones, by your Grace's
+  directions, the inclosed papers relating to the Murder of Mr. Blandy
+  of Henley. I apprehend, by his letter, that the Question, upon which
+  your Grace desires my Opinion is, whether it is proper that the
+  Prosecution should be carried on by the order, and at the expense,
+  of the Crown? Your Grace observes by Mr. Pauncefort's letter, who is
+  a Gentleman of Character & writes like a man of sense, that, as the
+  Relations of the Deceased (who must necessarily be also relations to
+  the Daughter) are circumstanced, & seem at present disposed, no
+  effectual Prosecution can be expected from them; and therefore I am
+  clearly of opinion that, if upon Examinations there appears
+  sufficient ground to proceed, it is necessary & will be for the
+  honour of the Government, that the Prosecution should be carried on
+  at the expense of the Crown, & that Mr. Sharpe should be forthwith
+  ordered to take the proper steps for that purpose under the
+  direction of Mr. Attorney General. There have been several Instances
+  of such flagrant offences having been prosecuted at the Government's
+  expence. I remember two when I was Solicitor & Attorney General; one
+  against two Welshmen, Athowe by name, for a Murder in Pembrokeshire;
+  the other against a Woman in Oxford Road, who, in concert with her
+  Gallant, murdered her Husband privately, & afterwards cut his body
+  in pieces, & packed it up in a Basket.[14] The reason which
+  prevailed for both these orders, was that there was ground to
+  apprehend that the Criminals might have escaped Justice without such
+  an extraordinary Interposition; and that Interposition was much
+  applauded by the Public. In the present case it would be a Reproach
+  to the King's Justice, and I am sure would create the justest
+  concern & Indignation in His Majesty's own mind, if such an
+  atrocious Crime of Poisoning & Parricide should escape unpunished,
+  by means of the Prosecution being left in the hands of the
+  Prisoner's own Relations.
+
+  There is one circumstance in Mr. Pauncefort's letter, which deserves
+  particular attention. He says it is thought the Maid and Charwoman
+  (who I presume are two material Witnesses) cannot long survive the
+  effects of ye Poison they partook of. If that be so, my opinion
+  would carry me so far as to think, that a special commission should
+  be sent into Berkshire, some days before the next Term, to find a
+  Bill of Indictment there, & then the Trial may be had at the King's
+  Bench Bar within the next Term; for otherwise no Trial can be till
+  the next Spring Assizes, before which time these Witnesses may
+  probably dye, if what is repeated be true.
+
+  I have said all this upon a supposition that the Informations &
+  Examinations lay a sufficient foundation for a Prosecution, for I
+  have not seen any Copies of them. If they do not, _id neo dictum
+  esto_. But there your Grace will be pleased to refer to Mr. Attorney
+  or Mr. Solicitor.
+
+  There is another matter arising upon the enclosed Papers, which
+  ought not to pass without some notice; and that is the behaviour of
+  Mr. Carre, the Sheriff-Depute of Berwickshire,[15] and of Richard
+  Lowe, the Mayor of Henley's Messenger. The Sheriff-Depute's letter
+  contains a strong Charge against Lowe, & Lowe in his examination,
+  swears several odd circumstances relating to the Sheriff-Depute, &
+  to some relating to himself. Mr. Carre is a Gentleman of good
+  Character, but this matter deserves to be enquired into; and I
+  submit it to your Grace whether it may not be advisable to transmit
+  copies of Lowe's Examination, & of these Letters to my Lord Justice
+  Clerk,[16] that he may, in a proper manner enquire into the facts, &
+  take such Examinations upon Oath, as he shall think fit. This will
+  tend to Mr. Carre's Vindication, if he has done his Duty. If there
+  are any material circumstances against Lieut. Cranstoun, some
+  further enquiry should be made after him.
+
+  Forgive me for adding one thing more--that it should be pointed out
+  to Mr. Attorney to consider whether the crime of the Daughter, who,
+  as I apprehend, lived with & was maintained by her Father, may not
+  be Petty Treason.
+
+  I am, always, etc.,
+
+  HARDWICKE.
+
+
+
+II. LORD HARDWICKE TO DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
+
+(B.M. Add. MS. 32,725, f. 218.)
+
+
+  _Private_.
+
+  Wimple, Sept. 27th, 1751.
+
+  My Dear Lord,--I have reserved for this private letter a few words
+  relating to Dr. Rooke's affair.... But before I enter into that,
+  permit me to make an observation upon the extraordinary method,
+  which was taken to apprehend Lieut. Cranstoun. I see, by the dates,
+  that the Informations must have been sent up to the Office when Your
+  Grace was in Sussex, & therefore the affair did not come before you.
+  But surely the right way would have been to have sent a Messenger,
+  with the Secretary of State's Warrant. That might have been executed
+  with Secrecy, whereas, in the other method, so many persons must be
+  apprized of it, that he could hardly fail of getting notice. Tho'
+  the Crime was not Treason, nor what is usually called an offence
+  concerning the Government; yet being of so black a nature, & the
+  Fact committed within the Jurisdiction of England, & the Person
+  charged being then within the Jurisdiction of Scotland, it was a
+  very proper case for bringing him up by a Secretary's Warrant, which
+  runs equally over the whole Kingdom. I say this to Your Grace only,
+  & beg it may not be mentioned to anybody. But the circumstances may
+  be worth your enquiring into; for I have heard the thing spoken of
+  accidently in conversation; & if Cranstoun got off at the time Lowe
+  supposes, it may create some clamour. May not this be a further
+  reason for the Government shewing a more than ordinary attention to
+  ye Prosecution?
+
+  I am, etc.,
+
+  HARDWICKE.
+
+  Duke of Newcastle.
+
+
+
+III. DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO SIR DUDLEY RYDER.
+
+(State Papers, Dom. Entry Books, George II., vol. 134, f. 90.)
+
+
+  Whitehall, Sept. 27th, 1751.
+
+  Mr. Attorney General,
+
+  Sir,--It having been represented to the King, that the Relations of
+  Mary Blandy, who is confined in the Castle at Oxford, upon suspicion
+  of having poisoned her Father, the late Mr. Blandy, of Henley upon
+  Thames, do not intend to prosecute her for that crime, and
+  application having been made, that His Majesty would be pleased to
+  give Orders for the Prosecution of the said Mary Blandy; I am
+  commanded to signify to you the King's Pleasure, That you should
+  immediately enquire into this Affair; and that, in case you should
+  find that the relations of the said Mary Blandy do not propose to
+  prosecute her for the Murder of her Father, you should forthwith
+  take the necessary steps for that Purpose; That so wicked and
+  henious a Crime may not go unpunished.
+
+  I am, etc.,
+
+  HOLLES NEWCASTLE.
+
+
+
+IV. PETITION OF THE NOBLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF
+HENLEY-UPON-THAMES TO DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, WITH THE OPINION OF THE
+ATTORNEY-GENERAL THEREON.
+
+(State Papers, Dom. (George II.), Bundle 117, No. 45.)
+
+
+  Henley upon Thames, 4th Oct., 1751.
+
+  My Lord,--We the Noblemen and Gentlemen in the Neighbourhood of
+  Henley upon Thames, and the Mayor and Principal Magistrates of that
+  Town, having met there together this day to make farther enquiries
+  in relation to the inhuman Murder of the late Mr. Blandy, have
+  unanimously agreed to return our sincere thanks to Your Grace for
+  your great readiness in promoting all proper measures for bringing
+  to Justice the persons concerned in that Horrid and Shocking
+  Transaction. And we take this Opportunity of expressing the just
+  Sense we have of his Majesty's Paternal Goodness to his people, in
+  directing that the person, who is now in Custody, and with the
+  greatest reason supposed to be chiefly instrumental in that Uncommon
+  scene of Iniquity, should be prosecuted at His Majesty's Expence:
+  And we beg leave to assure Your Grace, that no endeavours shall be
+  wanting on our part, to render that prosecution successful, and to
+  bring to condign punishment not only the Unnatural Daughter of that
+  Unhappy Gentleman, but also the Wicked Contriver and Instigator of
+  this Cruel Design. But at the same time we take the Liberty of
+  representing to Your Grace, as our humble Opinion, that there will
+  be little Room to hope that the Original Author & Promoter of this
+  Villainous Scheme can be brought to Justice, unless His Majesty will
+  further be graciously pleased to offer by Proclamation a proper
+  Reward for apprehending Mr. William Henry Cranstoun formerly a
+  Lieutenant of Marines, but now an Officer in a Scotch Regiment in
+  the Service of the States General; And we Earnestly request Your
+  Grace to recommend to His Majesty the Issueing out such a
+  Proclamation. We are with the greatest respect,
+
+  Your Grace's Most Obedient And Most Humble Servants.
+
+  MACCLESFIELD.[17]          GISM. COOPER.
+  CADOGAN.[18]               EDWD. PAUNCEFORT.
+  JAMES LAMBORN, Mayor.      FRANCIS MASON.
+  THO. PARKER.               RICHD. MILES.
+  GEO. LANE PARKER.          EDWD. PRASSEY.
+  JOHN FREEMAN.              JOHN CLARKE.
+  SAMBROOKE FREEMAN.         THOS. HALL.
+WILLIAM STOCKWOOD, Rectr.
+
+[Annexed to this petition is a copy of the same, with the names of the
+petitioners, also copied, and underneath them is written--]
+
+  Mr. Sharpe received this additional paper from the Duke of Newcastle
+  with directions from His Grace to lay the same before Mr. Attorney
+  General and to desire his opinion.
+
+  _Qu._ Whether it may be advisable to Issue a Proclamation with the
+  Offer of a Reward for apprehending Lieut. Cranstoun.
+
+  This is a matter of mere discretion in His Majesty, and as there is
+  no objection in point of Law to the Issueing such a Proclamation, so
+  if there is any prospect of success in apprehending Cranstoun by
+  that means I should think it an advisable measure. But as he has
+  certainly notice of an Intent to apprehend him it is probable he may
+  be gone beyond sea, to his service. If so the most probable means
+  would be to get him seized by the order of the States General or any
+  other State where he may be found to be.
+
+  D. RYDER, 14 Oct., 1751.
+
+  [Endorsed] The Noblemen & Gentlemen in the Neighbourhood of Henley
+  upon Thames, and the Mayor & principal Magistrates of that Town to
+  the Duke of Newcastle.
+
+  Oct. 14th, 1751.
+
+  For your Opinion hereon.
+
+  Mr. Attorney General.
+
+  3 Gs. Sharpe.
+
+
+
+V. LORD HARDWICKE TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
+
+(B.M. Add. MS. 32,725, f. 259.)
+
+
+  Wimple, Oct. 9th, 1751. 4 o'clock p.m.
+
+  Dear Cousin,-- ... I enclose the Representation of the Noblemen
+  etc., in the Neighbourhood of Henley relating to the issueing a
+  Proclamation for the apprehending of Lieut. Cranstoun. It is
+  impossible for me to judge whether this is a proper Case for
+  issueing such a Proclamation, without seeing the Examinations &
+  proofs of his Guilt, & of the probability of his having fled for it.
+  But, if there is proper Evidence of his Guilt, & a probable one
+  of his Flight, I think it is a just foundation to issue such a
+  proclamation in so flagrant a Case. I submit to My Lord Duke whether
+  he will not think it proper to refer the Papers to Mr. Attorney
+  General....
+
+  I am, etc.,
+
+  HARDWICKE.
+
+
+
+VI. EARL OF MARCHMONT TO DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
+
+(B.M. Add. MS. 32,725, f. 291.)
+
+
+  Redbraes Castle, 15th Oct., 1751.
+
+  My Lord,--In obedience to your Grace's commands to the Lord Justice
+  Clerk, informing him it was His Majesty's pleasure, he should
+  enquire upon oath into the conduct of Mr. Carre of Nisbet advocate,
+  our Sheriff, in relation to the apprehending of Mr. Cranstoun; I
+  yesterday waited on his Lordship at Duns; & gave him an account of
+  what I knew of that matter upon oath. I heard some other examinations
+  taken at the same time, & have the pleasure to see that your Grace
+  will receive entire satisfaction from this Inquiry.
+
+  I cannot omitt My Lord, upon this occasion expressing to your Grace
+  the grateful sense all his Majesty's faithful subjects here have of
+  your goodness in ordering this enquiry to be made, without which the
+  misrepresentations contained in Lowe's affidavit, with the Justice
+  of peace's Commentary, might have lurkt & crept about unobserved in
+  the South of England, & his Majesty's subjects here could have had
+  no opportunity of removing the injurious imputations cast upon them.
+
+  My Lord Justice Clerk has spared no pains to make the account
+  compleat, and it gives me particular pleasure My Lord that your
+  Grace will thereby be enabled to form a character of Mr. Carre from
+  vouchers free from all suspicion of that partiality which perhaps
+  might be thought to attend my recommendations of a friend &
+  relation. Your Grace will see that Mr. Carre came from his own house
+  with the Lord Justice Clerk, in his Lordship's post-chaise, to dine,
+  by a previous appointment, at my house, which is only distant from
+  his own half an hours driving; & this in order to have the advice &
+  assistance of the Lord Justice Clerk. I am persuaded your Grace will
+  think, you could not have wished him to choose a more judicious
+  adviser, or a more sagacious Inspector into his conduct. Upon
+  examination your Grace will find, that the Lawyers here will reckon
+  Mr. Carre rather to have stretched a point to get over the provision
+  in our Act of Parliament, in order to grant his Warrant, than to
+  have affected any doubt, or dilatoriness upon the occasion. And that
+  those Scots Lawyers who have not studied our Law with the same
+  superiority of capacity & genius that Mr. Carre has, would hardly
+  have consented to give a Warrant, upon the grounds Mr. Carre granted
+  it....
+
+  I am, etc.,
+
+  MARCHMONT.
+
+  Duke of Newcastle.
+
+
+
+VII. DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO MR. PAUNCEFORT.
+
+(Sate Papers, Dom. Entry Books (George II.), vol. 134, f. 97.)
+
+
+  Whitehall, Oct. 31st, 1751.
+
+  Mr. Pauncefort,
+
+  Sir,--Having by His Majesty's Command, directed an Enquiry to be
+  made into the Conduct of Mr. Carre, the Sheriff of Berwickshire,
+  upon the application that was made to him for causing Lieut.
+  Cranstoun to be apprehended; and such an Enquiry having been
+  accordingly made by the Lord Justice Clerk; I send you inclosed a
+  Letter, which I have received from His Lordship together with the
+  several Examinations that have been taken upon that occasion.--I am,
+  etc.,
+
+  HOLLES NEWCASTLE.
+
+  _P.S._--I send you the original Papers above mentioned, which you
+  will be pleased to return to me as soon as may be.
+
+
+
+VIII. MR. PAUNCEFORT TO DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
+
+(B.M. Add. MS. 32,725, f. 380.)
+
+
+  Early Court, Nov. 7th, 1751.
+
+  My Lord,--I have had the honour to receive from your Grace, the Lord
+  Justice Clerk's Letter, and the Examinations that have been taken in
+  persuance of an Enquiry made into the conduct of Mr. Carre the
+  Sheriff of Berwickshire, upon the application that was made to him
+  for causing Lieutenant Cranstoun to be apprehended, & I should have
+  acknowledged the receipt of them by the last Post, but I did not
+  return from a Commission of the Navigations, held at a remote part
+  of the county, till Wednesday.
+
+  I have in consequence sent an Express to the Earl of Macclesfield,
+  to desire a meeting of the Corporation & the neighbouring Gentlemen
+  of the County of Oxford at Henley; in order to lay before them the
+  several Examinations; and its a particular Happiness to me that I am
+  in this instance employed to represent to the Gentlemen of the
+  County the Watchfulness & unwearied attention of the Crown to the
+  vigorous Execution of the Laws, by having ordered this strict &
+  immediate Enquiry to be made into the suspected Neglects & Delays of
+  the Sheriff, tho' grounded upon a single Information; as likewise
+  that I am made instrumental in the justifying as well as accusing
+  the Conduct of the Sheriff; That the complaints of the Messenger
+  were without any foundation; & that every thing was done by the
+  Sheriff that was consistent with a cautious Magistrate.
+
+  I shall in obedience to your Grace's commands return the
+  Examinations to you.
+
+  I am, etc.,
+
+  EDWD. PAUNCEFORT.
+
+
+
+IX. MR. WISE TO MR. SHARPE, SOLICITOR TO THE TREASURY.
+
+(State Papers, Dom. (George II.) Bundle 116, No. 36.)
+
+
+  [No date.]
+
+  Sir,--I was favoured with yr two last letters, and also with yr
+  answer to my letter of the 24th Novr. last, wch I acknowledged in
+  another letter wch I wrote to you from Mr. Aldworths at Stanlake,
+  wherein I gave you an Acct. of a Threatening Letter from Cranstoun
+  to Betty Binfield, and wch I find you had sent up to you by Lord
+  Macclesfield. On Receipt of your last I set out yesterday morning to
+  Ld. Macclesfields, where I lay, and came this day to Oxford, and
+  immediately on my arrival went to the Castle where I found Miss
+  Blandy with the very same Iron on her Leg wch I saw rivetted on
+  myself when last here, and wch I now believe has never been off
+  since, for her leg is considerably swelled, and the Red Cloth wch
+  was round the Iron before has been cut off to give her room, but it
+  is still so close, as renders it impossible to be slipt over her
+  Heel. I also find by what I saw myself and by the Report of a
+  Gentleman or two in whom I can confide, that Wisdom has kept a much
+  stricter Guard over Miss Blandy ever since I was here before than he
+  used to do, and that she has not been permitted to walk in the
+  Garden once since. However I repeated the contents of your letter to
+  him, and remonstrated how very absurd it wd be in him now, not to
+  continue ye strictest watch over a person whose Trial will be made a
+  Matter of so great Consequence to the Publick, and on whose safe
+  custody, for that purpose, his future character & Livelihood would
+  intirely depend. I also sent for Mrs. Deane (the person who is with
+  Miss Blandy) into the Room with Wisdom, and told her that it would
+  be impossible for Miss Blandy to make an Escape without her Privity
+  & Assistance, and that if such a thing shd happen, not only the
+  Goaler wd be answerable for what ever Act she did towards it, But
+  that she herself wd also be imprisoned for Life etc, so that upon
+  the whole I dont imagine there is now any fear of her making her
+  escape. Parson Swinton is very angry wth the Freedom the letter
+  writer has taken with (his) name, and is endeavouring to find out
+  the Author of that and many other Reports of the same kind. It is
+  owing to his Credulity of her Innocence, that these Jokes have been
+  spread, and I find that he is a great favourite of Miss Blandy's. I
+  will endeavour to get the Briefs settled in the best manner I am
+  able and as soon as I have done, will send you a copy, and
+  am--wishing you many happy years.
+
+  Sir,
+
+  Yr Obliged humble Servt.
+
+  EDWD. WISE.
+
+  _P.S._--I promised to write to Ld. Cadogan who went to Town
+  yesterday, but as the Post is this instant going, must beg you to
+  acquaint his Lordship all is safe.
+
+  [Addressed]
+
+  To John Sharpe Esq. Solicitor to the Treasury at his Chambers in
+  Lincolns Inn, London.
+
+
+
+X. MR. SHARPE TO MR. WISE.
+
+(State Papers, Dom. (George II.) Bundle 117, No. 90.)
+
+
+  Dear Sir,--I beg leave to trouble you with another Lre I have reced
+  from Lord Macclesfield by last night's Post, and which shews pretty
+  plainly that the threatning Lre I gave you yesterday was wrote and
+  sent by Cranstoun and that there is great Reason to believe that
+  Cranstoun is lying concealed either here in London or in the
+  North--I beg you will lay the enclosed before his Grace with my most
+  dutifull Respects--and believe me to be with the most real truth and
+  esteem,
+
+  Dr Sir, Your most obliged and ever faithfull hble Servt.,
+
+  JN. SHARPE.
+
+  Friday morning, 6th Decr., 1751.
+
+
+
+XI. EXAMINATION OF FRANCIS GROPPTTY.
+
+(State Papers, Dom. (George II.), Bundle 118, No. 22.)
+
+
+The Examination upon Oath of Francis Gropptty of Mount Street, in the
+Parish of St. George Hanover Square taken this 3rd Day of Febry 1752.
+
+The Examt says that upon the First Day of September last he was sent
+for by the Revd. Mr. Home to his lodgings in the Haymarket, who told
+the Examt. that a Gentleman of his, Mr. Homes, acquaintance, was going
+to Calais, & as he spoke no French, desired the Examt. to go with him.
+The Examt. asked who it was, & after some hesitation Mr. Home told him
+it was Capt. Cranston Bror. to Lord Cranston who was accused of having
+sent poison to a Miss Blandy, who was suspected to have poison'd her
+Father; but that he was inocent, & only wanted to get out of the way
+till his Tryal came on, when he would surrender himself.
+
+The Examt. says he made an objection to going & told Mr. Home, that as
+he had expectations, from the Recommendations of Lord Home[19] and Sir
+Walter Blacket, to the Duke of Grafton, of being made one of the
+King's Messengers he was afraid it might hurt him, but Mr. Home
+assured him that he could not be brought into the least trouble, and
+added that he would oblige him, Mr. Home, Ld. Home & all the family &
+that for his satisfaction he would give him a note to Capt. Alexander
+Hamilton, who would assure him of the same.
+
+That the Examt. went to Capt. Hamilton, who told him that he knew
+where Capt. Cranston was & that if the Examt. would see him safe at
+Calais, he would very much oblige Lord Cranston, Ld. Home & all the
+Family. The Examt. asked Capt. Hamilton if there had been any
+proceedings against Capt. Cranston or if any orders were given to stop
+him at Dover? Capt. Hamilton said he would enquire, & the next day
+Sepr. 2nd told the Examt. he had enquired & that there had not been
+any proceedings against Capt. Cranston nor were there any Orders to
+stop him at Dover.
+
+The Examt. says that he lived with Lord Home several years & now does
+business for him; that he was willing to oblige his Lordship & not
+doubting from the assurances of Mr. Home yt he was doing a right
+thing, consented to go to Calais with Capt. Cranston.
+
+That upon the said 2nd of September Capt. Hamilton brought Capt.
+Cranston to the Examt's. House; that Capt. Cranston said he had been
+rob'd in his way to town of his Money & Portmanteau & seem'd in great
+distress. That the Examt. by the Direction of Capt. Hamilton bought
+for Capt. Cranston such necessaries as he wanted & Capt. Hamilton went
+to Lord Ancrum[20] to borrow Twenty pounds to defray the expence of the
+Journey & repay the Examt. the money he had expended. That upon his
+return he told Capt. Cranston that Lord Ancrum wd not lend him the
+money; says, that Capt. Cranston cried very much & said for God's sake
+dear Hamilton get Money somewhere & get me abroad.
+
+That the Examt. seeing the great distress both of Capt. Hamilton &
+Capt. Cranston, said that if ten Guineas wd. be of service he wd. lend
+Capt. Hamilton that sum, which he accordingly did & took Capt.
+Hamilton's Note of Hand, which is still unsatisfied.
+
+That he set out with Capt. Cranston in a Post Chaise for Dover, where
+they arrived the next morning Sept. 3rd about 9 o'clock.
+
+That they went to bed at the Post House about 4 o'clock in the
+afternoon in the same room, & about half an hour afterwards the Capt.
+of the Packet came into the Room & said he was informed they were
+going to Calais & desired they would go with him, which they agreed to
+& the next morning went with him to Calais & paid a Guinea for their
+passage.--Says they had no discourse at all with the Capt. of the
+Packet during the Passage.
+
+The Examt. says he took Lodgings & agreed for Board for Capt. Cranston
+at Calais at the Rate of Fifty Livres a Month & upon the 6th Sept.
+returned in the same Packet to Dover. That upon his passage back the
+Capt. of the Packet said he believed the person who went with the
+Examt. to Calais was very glad to be landed, for that he seemed very
+uneasy; The Examt. answered may be so, & no other discourse happened
+upon the subject.
+
+That the Capt. of the Packet observed that he thought he had seen the
+Examt. at Harwych, the Examt. said very likely for that he had passed
+from thence to Holland with his master Lord Home during the War.
+
+The Examt. absolutely denies that he passed or attempted to pass for a
+King's Messenger, or that he mentioned the name of his Grace the Duke
+of Newcastle, nor was his Grace's name mentioned; nor did any
+Discourse what so ever pass about Messengers.
+
+That upon his return to London he waited upon Mr. Home to acquaint him
+that he had landed Capt. Cranston safe at Calais. Mr. Home expressed
+himself very much obliged & assured the Examt. he would represent to
+his Brother & Lord Cranston the trouble he had had, & did not doubt
+but they would be equally obliged & reward him very well. The Examt.
+said he did not expect any reward, that what he had done was out of
+gratitude to Lord Home & his family & was very glad he had had it in
+his power to oblige them: & the Examt. said the same to Capt. Hamilton
+& never kept it a secret from any body, but talked of his having gone
+over with Capt. Cranston in common discourse & before anybody.
+
+That the Examt. made out an Acct. of the Expences he had been at &
+delivered it to Capt. Hamilton, which amounted, with the money lent,
+to eighteen pounds, for which sum Capt. Hamilton gave him a Bill of
+exchange upon Ld. Cranston, which Bill the Examt. sent to Scotland to
+Lord Cranston, who having kept it near six weeks return'd it unpaid;
+and the Examt. has not yet recd. the money.
+
+And lastly the Examt. says that he arrived in England with his Master
+at the end of the late War, & has not been out of England since that
+time except to Calais with Capt. Cranston as aforesaid.
+
+FRANCIS GROPPTTY
+
+this 3rd Feb., 1752.
+
+Taken upon Oath; before L. Stanhope.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX III.
+
+A LETTER FROM A CLERGYMAN TO MISS MARY BLANDY, NOW A PRISONER IN
+OXFORD CASTLE; WITH HER ANSWER THERETO. AS ALSO MISS BLANDY'S OWN
+NARRATIVE OF THE CRIME FOR WHICH SHE IS CONDEMNED TO DIE.
+
+(No. 3 of Bibliography, Appendix XII.)
+
+(The original copy of this letter, in Miss Blandy's own handwriting,
+for the satisfaction of the public, is left with the publisher.)
+
+
+March 14, 1752.
+
+Reader,--Condemn no person rashly. Thou has already, perhaps, passed
+sentence upon this unfortunate. But remember, that God alone knows the
+secrets of the heart; and that circumstances spring many times from
+motives which it is impossible for man to discover.
+
+The following letter was written to this unhappy lady by a clergyman,[21]
+after her receiving sentence of death.
+
+
+A LETTER TO MISS BLANDY.
+
+  March 7, 1752.
+
+  Dear Miss,--Had it been at my own option, I never would have chose
+  to be the least concerned in your unhappy affair; but since divine
+  providence, without my own seeking, has thought fit to order it
+  otherwise, I shall, from obligations of compassion and humanity,
+  offer some things to your serious consideration. Your power of
+  receiving benefit from my advice, is but of short duration; may God
+  grant that you may rightly use this. That you believe in God, in the
+  immortal nature of the soul, in Jesus Christ, and in a future state
+  of rewards and punishments, I am willing to persuade myself. As to
+  the unworthy man who has tempted you to your ruin, I have good
+  grounds to believe him to be an infidel. If he has communicated such
+  principles to you, to render you more capable of executing his
+  wicked purposes, your persisting therein will ruin your poor soul
+  for ever. The moment you enter into that awful state of separation,
+  you will be eternally convinced of your error. The very devils
+  believe a God, and tremble.
+
+  You will, perhaps, express surprise at my entertaining a doubt of
+  this nature. What? You that have been so constant at public worship,
+  that have so frequently participated of the most sacred rite of the
+  Christian religion, to be thought an infidel? Alas! Miss, externals
+  are but the husks of piety; they are easy to the hypocrite. The body
+  may bow down in the house of God, yet the soul do homage to Belial.
+  God forbid, that this should touch you.
+
+  And indeed to be sincere, when on the one hand I view the arguments
+  of your guilt, and, on the other, behold your strong assertions of
+  innocence, to the hazarding of the soul, if untrue, I am greatly
+  perplexed, I know not what to say or believe. The alternative, I
+  presume, is, you are either a believer and innocent, or an infidel
+  and guilty. But that holy religion which I profess, obliging me, in
+  all cases of doubt, to incline to the most charitable construction;
+  I say, that I am willingly persuaded, that you believe in the above
+  mentioned truths, and are in some degree innocent.
+
+  You have, dear Miss, applied to temporal counsel, with regard to the
+  determination of your body. They have failed. Your life is forfeited
+  to justice. You are already dead in the eye of the law. Oh! Miss,
+  the counsels which my poor understanding gives, is spiritual; may
+  they be more successful: May God grant that the fate of your soul
+  may not resemble the fate of your body! May it not perish and die
+  for ever!
+
+  Now, Miss, you must necessarily be in one of these two situations;
+  you must either be innocent, by not designing to hurt your father;
+  or you designed to kill your father, and are guilty, and conceal
+  your guilt for private reasons. Permit me to offer something upon
+  each of these heads.
+
+  If it should be the case, that you are innocently the cause of Mr.
+  Blandy's death, which Heaven grant! if you harboured not a thought
+  of injuring your unhappy father, you have the greatest of all
+  comforts to support you. You may think upon that last and awful
+  tribunal, before which all the sons of Adam shall appear, and from
+  which no secret is hid. There will be no injustice. Innocence will
+  be vindicated. The scheme of Providence will be then unfolded. There
+  your patience under your sufferings and resignation to the decrees
+  of Heaven will be rewarded. Your errors and failings God will pity
+  and have mercy upon; for he remembers whereof we are made. You may
+  face the ignominious tree with calmness. Death has no stings to
+  wound innocence. Guilt alone clothes him with terrors (to the guilty
+  wretch he is terrible indeed!). And at the resurrection, and at the
+  last day, you will joyfully behold Jesus Christ your Saviour, join
+  the triumphant multitudes of the blessed, and follow them into the
+  everlasting mansions of glory.
+
+  The other point I am about to speak to, is upon a supposition of
+  your guilt. God direct me what to say! If you repent, you will be
+  saved. But what repentance can be adequate to such crimes? O Miss!
+  your infamous end is a satisfaction due to human laws. But there is
+  another satisfaction which God expects to be made for such a
+  dreadful violation of laws divine. Once, Miss, you had two fathers
+  to provide for and protect you; one by the ties of Nature, the other
+  by the bonds of grace and religion. And now your earthly parent is
+  your accuser, and your heavenly one your judge. Both are become your
+  enemies. Good God! what deep distress is this! where can misery like
+  this find comfort and relief? O Miss! the only anchor which can
+  preserve your soul from perishing, is your blessed Saviour. Believe
+  in Him; whatsoever you ask in His name, believing, God will grant.
+  For to them that believe, all things are possible. Unburthen your
+  whole soul. Pour out your fervent prayers to God. Remember, that
+  infinite mercy is glorified in the vilest sinners. If there are any
+  accessaries to this horrid crime, discover them. Make all possible
+  reparation for injuries you have done. Heartily forgive, and pray
+  for your enemies and more particularly for all concerned in the
+  Prosecution against you. Detest your sins truly, and resolve to do
+  so for the time to come, and be in charity with all men. If you
+  perform these things truly and sincerely, your life, which sets in
+  gloomy clouds, shame and darkness, may, by the mercies of God, rise
+  in glory, honour and brightness.
+
+  But perhaps, Miss, to your everlasting hazard, you will not confess
+  your guilt, for some private reasons. And what must these be?
+
+  You may possibly then imagine, that if you confess your crime to
+  God, you are not obliged to confess to the world. Generally speaking
+  God is the sole confessor of mankind; but your case is a particular
+  exception to this rule. You will want the assistance of God's
+  ministers. But how is it possible for you to receive any benefit
+  from them, if you do not represent to them the true state of your
+  soul without any disguise? A secret of this nature, smothered in the
+  breast, is a fire which preys upon, and consumes all quietness and
+  repose. Consider too the imminent danger of a lie of this nature;
+  consider the justice due to your accusers, to your judges, and to
+  the world.
+
+  But you will say, confession of my crime cuts off all hope of Royal
+  Mercy. Dear Miss, do not indulge yourself in such a thought. Prepare
+  for the worst. Consider how pernicious flattery of this nature is.
+  Remember that God is only a God of mercy in this; in another life,
+  he is a God of justice.
+
+  I can hardly think that shame has any share in the concealment of
+  your guilt; for no shame can exceed that which you have already
+  suffered. Besides, confession is all the amends you can make; and
+  mankind know experimentally how frail and imperfect human nature is,
+  and will allow for it accordingly.
+
+  And thus, dear Miss, have I wrote to you, with a sincere view to
+  your everlasting happiness. If during this dismal twilight, this
+  interval between life and death, I can serve you, command me. The
+  world generally flies the unfortunate, rejoices in evil, triumphs
+  over distress; believe me glad to deviate from such inhumanity. As
+  the offices of friendship which you can receive from me are confined
+  to such a short period, let them be such as concern your everlasting
+  welfare. The greatest pleasure I can receive (if pleasure can arise
+  from such sad potions), will be to hear that you entertain a
+  comfortable assurance of being happy for ever. Which that you may
+  be, is the fervent prayer of, etc.
+
+Whether or no this gentleman, in the above letter, has not urged
+the matter home to Miss Blandy, is submitted to the judgment of the
+public.
+
+
+Here follows _verbatim_ her answer.
+
+  Monday, March 9, 1752.
+
+  Reverend Sir,--I did not receive your's till Sunday night late; and
+  now so ill in body, that nothing but my gratitude to you for all
+  your goodness could have enabled me to write. I have with great care
+  and thought often read over your kind advice; and will, as well as
+  the sad condition I am in will give me leave, speak the truth.
+
+  The first and most material to my poor soul is, that I believe in
+  God the Father, and in His blessed Son Jesus Christ, who, I verily
+  believe, came into the world to save sinners; and that He will come
+  again to judge the world; and that we must all give an account in
+  our own bodies, and receive the reward of a good or ill spent life;
+  that God is a God of Justice, but of mercy too; and that by
+  repentance all may be saved.
+
+  As to the unworthy man you mention, I never heard finer lessons come
+  from any one. Had he, Sir, shewn really what he may be (an infidel),
+  I never should have been so deceived; for of all crimes, that ever
+  shocked me most. No, Sir, I owe all my miseries to the appearances
+  of virtue; by that deceived and ruined in this world, but hope
+  through Christ to be pardoned. I was, and never denied it, the fatal
+  instrument; but knew not the nature of, nor had a thought those
+  powders could hurt. Had I not destroyed his letters, all must have
+  been convinced; but, like all the rest, he commanded, and I obeyed
+  and burnt them. There is an account, as well as I was able to write,
+  which I sent to my Uncle in London. That I here send you. God knows
+  never poor soul wrote in more pain, and I now am not able hardly to
+  hold my pen. But will not conclude this without explaining the true
+  state of my mind. As I did not give this fatal powder to kill or
+  hurt my poor father; I hope God will forgive me, with repentance for
+  the ill use I have made of that sense he gave me, and not be for
+  ever angry with me. Death I deserve, for not being better on my
+  guard against my grand enemy; for loving and relying too much on the
+  human part. I hope (when all is done that friends can do for me to
+  save that life which God has given me, and which if to last these
+  hundred years, would be too short for me to repent, and make amends
+  for the follies I have committed) I shall have such help from my
+  God, as to convince my poor friends I die a Christian, and with
+  hopes of forgiveness through the merits of our Advocate and Mediator
+  Jesus Christ.
+
+  I beg, my dear sir, you will excuse my writing more, and will
+  believe I am truly sensible of your goodness to me. May God bless
+  you, sir, and send you happiness here and hereafter. I beg my duty
+  to my poor uncle; pray him to forgive, and pity, and pray for me. I
+  beg my tenderest wishes to Mrs. Mounteney; and if she can serve me
+  with the Bishop of W----[22] or any other, I know she will do it.
+  Pray comfort poor Ned Hearne, and tell him I have the same
+  friendship for him as ever. And pray, sir, continue your friendship
+  and good wishes to,
+
+  Reverend Sir,
+
+  Your truly affected, Much obliged humble Servant,
+
+  MARY BLANDY.
+
+  _P.S._--I beg, for very just reasons to myself and friends, that
+  this letter and papers may soon be returned to me; that is, as soon
+  as you have done with them. You will oblige me, if you keep a copy
+  of the letter; but the real letter I would have back, and the real
+  papers, as being my own handwriting, and may be of service to me, to
+  my character after my death, and to my family.
+
+There is no occasion of hinting to the judicious reader that in this
+letter it is plain that Miss Blandy twice solemnly declares her
+innocence.
+
+But let us now proceed to Miss Blandy's own relation of an affair
+which has so much engrossed the attention of the public.
+
+Miss Blandy's narrative referred to in the foregoing letter:--
+
+O! Christian Reader!
+
+My misfortunes have been, and are such, as never woman felt before. O!
+let the tears of the wretched move human minds to pity, and give ear
+to my sad case, here wrote with greatest truth. It is impossible
+indeed, in my unhappy circumstances, to recollect half of my
+misfortunes, so as to place them in a proper light. Let some generous
+breast then do that for the miserable, and God will reward goodness
+towards an unhappy, deceived, ruined woman. Think what power man has
+over our sex, when we truly love! And what woman, let her have what
+sense she will, can stand the arguments and persuasions men will make
+use of? Don't think that by this I mean, that I ever was, or could
+have been persuaded to hurt one hair of my poor father's head. No;
+what I mean is Cranstoun's baseness and art, in making me believe that
+those powders were innocent, and would make my father love him. He
+gave my father some himself more than a year before he died, and said,
+when he gave it him, that he (Cranstoun) had took several papers of it
+himself. I saw nothing of any ill effects from these powders on my
+father; nor did he complain of any one disorder, more than what he has
+ever been subject to above these ten years, the gravel and the
+heartburn; but never complained of the heartburn, except when he had
+the gravel coming on him; and he never was less afflicted with those
+disorders than during the last year of his life, in which he never
+took one medicine from his apothecary, as he made oath in Court.
+
+Mr. Cranstoun, soon after he gave these powders to my father, said to
+me, do you not see that your father is kinder to me? I now will
+venture to tell him, that I cannot get the appeal lodged this Sessions
+(meaning his affair in Scotland); upon which he went to my father's
+study, and told him. They both came out together in great good humour,
+and my father said not one word against my waiting another Sessions.
+
+Mr. Cranstoun came to our house in the beginning of August, or latter
+end of July, staid with us some months, and then he said he was
+obliged to go for Scotland. My father seemed not pleased with him at
+first, but they parted in great friendship, I thought; and I received
+a letter from Cranstoun (which is now among my papers) full of respect
+and tenderness for my father. But soon after he was gone my father,
+who had either heard some ill of him, or was tired of so long an
+affair, told me to let Mr. Cranstoun know, that I should wait the next
+Sessions; but he must not come to his house till his affairs in
+Scotland were settled. I obeyed his commands, and had a letter full of
+love, and seeming misery, back in answer to mine; that he found that
+he had lost my father's love, and feared he should mine too. He got
+his mother and sisters to write to my father, and seemed to do all in
+his power to force him to love him.
+
+Some time after this he sent me word, that he had met with his old
+friend Mrs. Morgan in Scotland, and that he would get some of those
+powders he had before; and begged of me, if I loved him, to give them
+to my father; for that they would make him kind to us again in this
+affair, and make him stay with patience till the next Sessions; when,
+upon his word, the appeal should be lodged. I wrote him back word, I
+did not care for doing it, lest it should hurt my father's health. He
+wrote me word, that it was quite innocent, and could not hurt him; and
+how could I think that he would send any thing to hurt a father of
+mine? and that self-interest would be reason enough lor him to take
+care of his health.
+
+Now, in this place, I must beg to clear up one thing, that I imagined
+my poor father rich, and that Mr. Cranstoun did the same. As to
+myself, it is, by all that's good, false. I have often told Mr.
+Cranstoun, I knew my father was not worth what the world said; but
+that if he lived I did not doubt but he would provide for us and ours,
+as his business was so great, and life retired. I then supposed that
+Mr. Cranstoun meant, by saying, that his own interests would make him
+careful, to refer to such discourse.
+
+Mr. Cranstoun's having then such strong reasons to know how necessary
+my father's life must be, and I believing his honour to be so great,
+and that his love was still greater; these were the reasons of my not
+mistrusting that the powder would hurt my father, if I mixed it with
+his tea. It not mixing well, I threw it away, and wrote him word, I
+would not try it again, for it would be discovered. This they bring
+against me. But is it not, reasonable to imagine, that if any person
+was to discover that a powder had been given them, to force them to
+love anyone, would not a discovery of this nature produce a very
+different effect? Would it not fix resentment? This would have been,
+at that time death to me; such was my opinion of Cranstoun, and for
+this reason I used the aforesaid words.
+
+But to proceed. On my writing to Mr. Cranstoun, that it would not mix
+in tea, he told me to mix it in gruel. I received the powders in June;
+but did not put any into his gruel till the 5th of August; when I
+fatally obeyed Mr. Cranstoun's orders, and was innocently the
+instrument of death, as they say, to the best of fathers; brought
+disgrace to my family, and shameful death to myself, unless my hard
+case, here truly repented, recommends me to Royal pity, clemency and
+compassion. And as I here declare, and as I look upon myself as a
+dying woman, I never did design to hurt my father, but thought the
+powder innocent, as Cranstoun told me it was. Let me be punished for
+my follies, but not lose my life. Sure, it is hard to die for
+ignorance, and too good an opinion of a villain! Must the falsities
+and malice which I have been pursued with, prevail so far as to take
+away my life? O consider my misfortunes, and indeed it will fill your
+eyes with tears; you must pity me, and say, never was poor soul so
+hardly used. But peace, my heart. I gave my father the powder on
+Monday night; on Tuesday he complained. I sent for the apothecary; who
+came, and said he would send him some physic. In the evening my father
+said he would have some water gruel. I never went out to order this,
+and knew not whether it was the same or no as he had on Monday, as
+that he drank on Monday was made either on Saturday or Sunday.
+However, on the Wednesday my father took physic, and was better; came
+all Thursday down into the parlour, as also on Friday; Mr. Norton, by
+my desire, all this time attending him very often. And Mr. Norton did
+in the Court declare, that I was the person that did send for a
+physician, and would have sent before, if thought necessary. When I
+found my father so ill, I sent, unknown to him, for Dr. Addington. The
+doctor said, he believed he was in great danger. I desired Dr.
+Addington to attend him, and come the next day; which he did. On
+Monday morning going into my father's room early (for though I never
+from his first disorder left him long in the day, yet his tenderness
+would not let me sit up all night with him), I was denied to see him.
+This so surprised and frightened me, that I cried out, What? Not see
+my father? On which I heard my father reply, My dear Polly, you shall
+presently; and some time after I did. That meeting and parting, and
+the mutual love, sorrow, and grief, is truly described by Susanna
+Gunnel; though poor soul she is mistaken in some other respects.
+
+I was after this confined in my room by Dr. Addington's own orders;
+during which confinement, as I am informed, my father wanted to see
+some body, and it was imagined to be me. But, alas! I was not
+suffered. The night before he died, my father sent his blessing to me,
+with his commands to bring that villain to justice. I sent him answer
+back, I would do all in my power to hang that villain, as he rightly
+called him.
+
+But the usage which I received in my father's house, unknown to him I
+am sure, is shocking to relate. My going to listen at his door, the
+only comfort left me, to hear if he was asleep was denied me. All my
+keys were taken from, me--my letters--my very garters. My maid-servant
+never came near me, helpless as I was by grief and fits. This I bore
+patiently, being fearful of disturbing my father, as our rooms joined.
+The man who was with me can witness to my sufferings, how often I
+wished for instant death to take me, and spare my dear father, whom
+never child loved better; whose death alone, unattended with these
+misfortunes, would have been an excessive shock to me.
+
+When Dr. Addington, and Dr. Lewis (who was called in it seems) came
+into the room, and told me, that nothing could save my ever dear
+father; for a considerable time I sat like a stone image; and then
+told them, that I had given my poor father some powders which
+Cranstoun had given me, and feared those had hurt my father, though
+Cranstoun assured me that they would not.
+
+It is not in human nature to declare what I suffered at that time. God
+grant that no one ever may again.
+
+When my father was dead, though mistress of myself, my keys, servants,
+two horses in the stable, all my own; yet I never quitted my room.
+Though none dared to molest me, I never stirred. They say, that I
+walked about my room for hours; but I hardly remember anything. Much
+is now said of my trying to bribe my servants. How contrary to truth!
+As for bribing Betty my cook; of all my servants she was my greatest
+enemy throughout my misfortunes; and an attempt to bribe her must
+surely be the strongest instance of lunacy, of one not in her right
+mind. I own I should have been glad not to have gone to jail; as who
+would not? But then I would with pleasure have resigned myself up at
+the Assizes, and stood the chance of life or death. I did not at that
+time imagine, that I had such enemies, or that human nature could be
+so wicked and abandoned. On the Thursday my father was to be opened.
+In the morning Suzanna Gunnel sent for me, being indisposed: When I
+saw her, she begged that I would bring Mr. Cranstoun to justice, which
+was the request and command of her dying master; and that if anything
+gave him concern in his last moments, it was an apprehension of his
+escaping, being a man of quality, and interest among the great. I
+replied that I would do all in my power, and went down into my room
+again.
+
+Soon after Dr. Lewis came into my room, and I found by him that my
+poor father's body was to be opened as that morning. As soon as he was
+gone, I could not bear to stay in the house, but walked out. Let
+reason judge whether I intended an escape. My dress was an half-sack
+and petticoat, made for a hoop, and the sides very long; neither man
+nor horse to assist me; and, as they say, I walked as slow as foot
+could fall; half the town at my heels; and but for the mercy of a
+woman, who sheltered me in her house, had perhaps lost my life. When I
+was sent for back by the Justices, the gentlemen who conveyed me to my
+house, witnessed that I thanked him. Surely this cannot be interpreted
+an attempt to escape.
+
+In consequence then of the words which, during these melancholy and
+distracting scenes, I had spoke to Dr. Addington, that I was innocent
+of the nature of the powders, but had given them to my father, I was
+sent to prison, where I was till my trial, and am now in safe custody.
+The untruths which have been told of me, the messengers sent after me,
+to see if I was safe, the putting me in Irons (though so weak and ill,
+that my own body was too much to carry about), the baseness and
+wickedness of printing the depositions to hurt me with the jury; under
+all this I bore up from knowing my innocence.
+
+But give me leave to mention what happened at my trial. I was brought
+to the Bar; and must do the judges, and all the gentlemen of the law,
+that justice, that they used me as a gentlewoman should be, though
+unfortunate. I must, however, observe, that when the judges read and
+summed up the evidence, or indeed when anything was said in Court,
+there was such a noise, that the jury, I am sure, could not hear the
+evidence; and I hope I shall be forgiven, if I say, that some of them
+seemed not to give that attention I think they ought. Nay, the judges
+were often obliged to speak for silence in the Court, and bid them for
+shame let the jury hear and attend. When all the witnesses were
+examined on both sides, the judge gave his charge like a man fit to
+hold the sword of justice; and my council and friends were in great
+hopes for me. But, most surprising treatment! without going out of the
+Court, without being any time consulting, their verdict was, Guilty!
+God's will be done. My behaviour at my trial, and when sentence was
+passed, I leave to the world. My enemies, as they have done all along,
+may misinterpret it, and call innocence and Christian courage hardened
+guilt. But let them know, that nothing but innocency could stand the
+shock of such repeated misfortunes, and prospect of death.
+
+O Christian reader! remember what blessings will attend you for
+defending the orphan, the injured, and the deceived. And if the dead
+are sensible what the living do; what prayers must not dear parents
+pour out before the throne of mercy for such charity, for endeavouring
+to rescue their only child and much-loved daughter from a shameful
+death. Drop pen; my spirits, harrassed out with sorrow, fail. God
+Almighty preserve you and yours from such misfortunes, and receive my
+poor soul into the arms of his mercy, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
+
+Whosoever thou art, whose eyes drink in this sad and moving tale,
+indulge one tear. Remember the instability of sublunary things, and
+judge no man happy till he dies.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX IV.
+
+MISS MARY BLAND'S OWN ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR BETWEEN HER AND MR.
+CRANSTOUN, FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THEIR ACQUAINTANCE IN THE
+YEAR 1746 TO THE DEATH OF HER FATHER IN AUGUST, 1751, WITH ALL
+THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THAT UNHAPPY EVENT.
+
+(No. 8 of Bibliography, Appendix XII.)
+
+
+My acquaintance with Mr. Cranstoun, who was lieutenant of a regiment
+of marines, commenced at Lord Mark Kerr's,[23] in one of the summer
+months, as I at present apprehend, of the year 1746. At first we
+entertained of each other only sentiments of friendship, I being upon
+the point of marrying another gentleman; which, for some prudential
+reasons, was soon put off, and at last came to nothing. Some months
+after our first interview, Mr. Cranstoun left Henley; and, about the
+following summer, returned to his uncle, Lord Mark Kerr, who lived at a
+house he had hired in that town, called Paradise. After his arrival at
+Henley, our friendship continued for some time; in one part of which I
+told him, as a friend that wished me well, of another advantageous
+match that had been proposed to me; but at the same time declared to
+him, that I was afraid the gentleman was not formed to make me happy.
+Upon this, he asked me, "whether or not I preferred mutual love to the
+grandeur of life?" To which I replied, "I preferred the man I loved
+and esteemed to all others." This induced him to make a proposal to me
+in the following terms: "Miss Blandy, I have upon my hands an unhappy
+affair, which to you I have made no secret of; I can assure you,
+before I speak what follows, I am not now married, nor never was; tho'
+by the nature of the Laws of Scotland, I am involved in some
+difficulties brought upon me by that affair, out of which it will be
+some time before I can extricate myself. Do you think you could love a
+man well enough to stay till this affair be brought to a
+determination? I have, added he, wished such a proposal might take
+effect from the very first moment that I saw you; but my honour would
+not permit me to make it in form, till the invalidity of my pretended
+marriage did appear to the whole world." To this I made no reply, as
+Lord Mark Kerr at that instant came into the garden; Mr. Cranstoun and
+I being then at his house. The next day Mr. Cranstoun came to my
+father's, and renewed the discourse; on which I told him, that "if my
+Papa and Mamma would approve of my staying for him, I readily
+consented thereto." After this he took the first opportunity of
+speaking to my Mamma upon the same subject; and he received from her
+the following answer: "Sir, you do my daughter an honour; but I have
+understood, that you have a perplexing affair upon your hands, and it
+is reported that you are married." He then made answer, "Madam, as I
+have a soul to be saved, I am not, nor ever was." To which she
+replied: "Very well, Mr. Cranstoun, I will take your word as to that;
+but I have many more reasons to give you why I disapprove of your
+proposal. In the first place, you are a man of fashion., and I believe
+your fortune small; my daughter has been brought up with great rare
+and tenderness, and as neither of you seem to me cut out to live upon
+a small fortune, you would both like to live in a manner suitable to
+your station." To which she added, "I can assure you, Mr. Cranstoun,
+had my daughter L10,000 and in my disposal, I would give her to you
+with the greatest pleasure. There is one thing, continued she, I
+think, Mr. Cranstoun, I ought to inform you of. Notwithstanding the
+world reports Mr. Blandy to be able to give his daughter down a
+handsome fortune, I am sure he cannot do it; tho' I was ever made a
+stranger to his circumstances." To which he replied, "If Mr. Blandy
+will give me his daughter, I shall not trouble him about that." This,
+as far as I can recollect, is the substance of what passed on Mr.
+Cranstoun's first making his addresses to me.
+
+After the last conference, my mamma and Mr. Cranstoun had several
+others to the same effect; the last of which was followed by Mr.
+Cranstoun's journey to Bath. He attended his uncle. Lord Mark Kerr,
+thither; but before he left Henley, he obtained my father's leave to
+correspond with me. He went to Bath, if my memory fails me not, in the
+latter season of the year 1747; after I had been above a year
+acquainted with him. He staid at Bath about five or six weeks; and,
+after his return to Henley, lived at our house, with my father's and
+mother's approbation, five or six months. At the end of this term, he
+went up to town; and, within a few days after his arrival there, wrote
+to my father, to beg; the favour of him to comply with his request,
+that I might be permitted to stay for him till his unhappy affair with
+Miss Murray (for so was his supposed wife called) was finally
+determined. This, he said, he was assured, by the best judges, must
+end in a little time with certain success: which, as he added, would
+make him the happiest man living; and he doubted not but he should
+communicate the same degree of happiness to me, by the tender
+treatment I should meet with from him. My father gave the letter to me
+with a smile, and told me, "that was a letter which he believed I
+should read with some pleasure." After I had read it, I said, "What
+will you answer it, sir?"' To which he replied, "Not at all." Upon
+this, looking earnestly at him, said, "Not at all, papa?" "No,"
+replied he, "you shall answer it yourself." "In what manner, sir?"
+subjoined I. "As," returned he, "is most agreeable to you." To which,
+however, he thought fit to add, "Tho' I give you leave in this manner,
+yet if you are prudent you will not think of having a man of quality
+without any fortune, when you may marry a man with a very ample one,
+of as good a gentleman's family as any in England: But, continued he,
+if you can be contented, I'll do what I can to make you happy with
+him. I believe he loves you, and mutual love must make the
+marriage-state happy." Mr. Blunt, the owner or proprietor of Paradise,
+the house inhabited by Lord Mark Kerr, was then at my father's, and
+knew, if I am not mistaken, from whom the letter came. Be that as it
+will, no more passed on this subject at that time. The next post I
+informed Mr. Cranstoun, that "My papa had given me leave to write to
+him whatever I pleased; in consequence of which I should take the
+liberty to assure him, that I would stay for him, and accept of no
+other offer till his affair was brought to a decision; and that if it
+was not determined in his favour, I doubted whether I should accept of
+any ever after." Tho' I did not see Mr. Cranstoun for several months,
+our correspondence still continued; letters passing and repassing
+between us almost every post.
+
+During this interval, my mamma went to a place called Turville Court,
+to the house of one Mrs. Pocock; where she was seized with a disorder,
+that it was thought would have proved fatal to her. Through the whole
+course of her illness, when in her senses, she constantly cried out,
+"Let Cranstoun be sent for:" On which, I at last sent for him. He was
+then at Southampton; which, by the miscarriage of one of his letters,
+I was ignorant of. But the very night he reached London, he set out
+for Turville Court, and arrived there about ten o'clock at night. As
+soon as he came to Mrs. Pocock's house, he was instantly taken up into
+my mother's chamber, which greatly refreshed and revived her; for she
+immediately raised herself up in bed, took him about the neck, and
+kissed him in the most affectionate manner. At the same time, she
+said, "My dear Cranstoun, I am glad you are come; I now shall grow
+well soon." Nor would she take any medicines, but from his hand,
+saying, "My poor nurse must not be jealous (meaning her daughter)
+since loving him I knew is pleasing her." The next day she got up, and
+sent for Mr. Cranstoun into her room; saying, "This I owe to you, my
+dear Cranstoun; your coming has given me new health and fresh spirits:
+I was fearful lest I should die, and you not here to comfort that poor
+girl, how like death she looks!" My father came thither that day to
+see his spouse, and took Mr. Cranstoun, who met him in the hall, up in
+his arms, saying, "I am glad to see you here, how does my wife?" Upon
+Mr. Cranstoun's telling him, "she was much better, and up," he said,
+smiling, "I suppose they will both of them (meaning his wife and
+daughter) be much better, now you are come." My father seemed in great
+good humour all that day. The next time he came (for he returned home
+at night) he appeared much out of humour at the great expence incurred
+by my mother on the foregoing occasion, and desired her to think of
+removing to her own house; since in that case, neither the physician's
+fees nor the apothecary's journeys could be so expensive. But she was
+too weak to be removed immediately. However, in a short time, she
+returned home, in company with myself and Mr. Cranstoun, who, with my
+father and mother's approbation, resided with us above six months.
+During which interval, my father was sometimes extremely kind, and
+sometimes very rude to Mr. Cranstoun, as well as very harsh, to his
+daughter. I observed, that this rudeness and harshness generally
+appeared after he had been in company with some persons, and
+particularly one hereafter mentioned, who were known not to approve of
+my marriage with Mr. Cranstoun. My father also frequently made my
+mother very uneasy, on account of her approbation of that marriage;
+tho' he always declared, that he thought Mr. Cranstoun a most agreeable
+man. Whilst he was last at my father's house, the regiment of marines
+to which he belonged was broke at Southampton; which obliged him to go
+thither: But he did not stay there above two or three days; and upon
+his return to Henley, was received by my father with great tenderness,
+who told him, that "as he was now broke, he supposed his cash, would
+run low; and that therefore he was welcome to stay with him." This
+happening in my presence, I went up to my father kissed him, and said,
+"Sir, I shall never forget this goodness." Mr. Cranstoun having lost
+his post in the regiment of marines, did not remain long in Henley;
+but set out soon for London, where he made a pretty, considerable
+stay. We kept up, however, our correspondence, as usual in times of
+absence, he writing to me almost every post.
+
+A few months after Mr. Cranstoun's return from Southampton, my mother
+went up to London, in order to ask advice for a complaint in her
+breast, and took me along with her. Upon our arrival there, we went to
+her brother's, Mr. Henry Steven's, in Doctors' Commons, where we
+resided all the time we remained in town. I had before apprized Mr
+Cranstoun of our intended journey; and he waited upon me the next
+morning after our arrival at my uncle's. Hither he came every day to
+visit me, whilst we stayed in London. Once he brought his brother,
+the Lord Cranstoun, with him, who was then just married. One of Mr.
+Cranstoun's visits happening a little before dinner, my mother asked
+her brother, Mr. Henry Stevens, to invite him to dinner; but this
+favour was refused her: On which, coming into the dining-room, whore
+she found me and Mr. Cranstoun, she took him by the hand, and burst
+into tears, saying, "My dear Mr. Cranstoun, I am sorry you should be
+so affronted by any of my family, but I dare not ask you to stay to
+dinner. However, continued she, come to me as often as you can in my
+own apartment; in a morning I am always alone." To this Mr. Cranstoun
+made answer, "My dear mamma, don't be uneasy--I don't come for the
+sake of them, but of you and your daughter. And let him put on never
+so terrible a face, he shall not keep me from you." At this time Mrs.
+Focock was in town, and had a house in St. James's Square, to which I
+used to go most days. Hither Mr. Cranstoun perpetually came, when he
+understood that I was here; and that with my father's, who arrived in
+town after we had reached it, and mother's consent. Mrs. Pocock often
+asked my father, whilst in London, to make one of the party. But he
+answered her, "You keep such quality hours, as neither agree with my
+health, nor suit my business; however, you will have two parts of me,
+my wife and my daughter." "Yes," replied Mrs. Pocock, "and not only
+these two, but likewise another bit of you, which will be coming
+soon." At this he smiled, and said, "What, Cranstoun! a little bit,
+indeed, I think! They are very well matched--I was surprised not to
+find him here--I thought they could not have been so long asunder." My
+father went away and left his family there. The next day my mother and
+I were invited to dine at Mrs. Pocock's, in order to meet the present
+Lord Crauford,[24] then Lord Garnock, and Mr. Cranstoun. The latter
+attended Mrs. Pocock in a coach she had hired to fetch me and my
+mother into her house. My father met us in the Strand, and stopped the
+coach, crying out, "For God's sake, Mrs. Pocock, what do you with this
+rubbish every day?" "Rubbish, do you call them," replied she, "your
+wife, your daughter, and one who may be your son?" "Aye, aye," said
+he, "they are very well matched; 'tis pity they should ever be
+asunder." On which, Mr. Cranstoun took hold of my father's hand, and
+cried out, "God grant they never may; don't you say Amen, papa." At
+this my father smiled, and said, "Make her these fine speeches seven
+years hence." He then took his leave of them, saying, "He had so much
+business upon his hands, that he could not stand idling there";
+bidding the coachman to drive on, and crying out, "God bless you, I
+wish you merry." Mrs. Pocock then asked him, "If he could not contrive
+to come to them?" To which he made answer, alluding to the distance of
+her house, "God bless you, do you think I can come down now to
+Henley?" Then our coachman drove on to St. James's Square; and soon
+after my father left the town, in order to return home.
+
+Whilst I was now in London, Mr. Cranstoun proposed a private marriage
+to me, saying, "It might help us with regard to the affair in
+Scotland; since a real marriage, according to the usage of the Church
+of England, if matters went hard, might possibly invalidate a contract
+that arose only from cohabitation." In order to understand which, it
+must be observed, that Mr. Cranstoun had before cohabitated with one
+Miss Murray, by whom he had had a child then living; and was
+consequently considered, by the Laws of Scotland, as her husband.
+This, he said, was the only thing that intituled her to him, as he
+never was married by any priest. To Mr. Cranstoun's proposal I
+answered, "I won't, Cranstoun, do you so much injury, as well as
+myself; for my father never will forgive it, nor give me a farthing."
+To which he replied, "There will be no occasion to discover it, but
+upon such an interesting event; and then surely, if you love me, you
+will suffer anything rather than part with me. What would I not suffer
+for you!" To this I made answer, "I would do nothing in the affair
+without he could procure the advice of the best council, and be
+certainly informed by this that such a marriage would be valid.
+Consider with Yourself," said I, "Cranstoun, what a condition I should
+be in, if I should lose my character, my friends, and yourself?--And
+you I must lose, if your former supposed marriage should be declared
+valid, and in honour we must never see each other more." He then said,
+"He would go and lay the case immediately before the best council,
+particularly Mr. Murray, the Solicitor-General." But I heard no more
+of this affair whilst we staid in town, excepting that it was laid
+before the said council; nor did I receive any more solicitations from
+him on this head.
+
+About this time my mother being distressed for money, was very uneasy,
+as well as in a bad state of health; which gave me great concern.
+Being one day, therefore, alone, and in tears, Mr. Cranstoun came
+unexpectedly into the room, and insisted upon knowing the reason of my
+grief; which at last, after many tender persuasions on his part, I
+discovered to him. I told him my mother owed forty pounds, and as she
+durst not inform my father of it, did not know which way to get it. To
+this he replied, "I only wish I had as many hundreds: I will get it
+for you, my dear, to-morrow. Poor woman, how can her husband use her
+so!" On which, my mother coming in, no more was at that time said. Mr.
+Cranstoun stayed but a little while; and when he went away, he told
+me, "He would see about it." After he was gone, I took my mother in my
+arms, and said, "My dear mamma, you may be easy about this money, for
+Mr. Cranstoun will get it for you to-morrow." At this my mother burst
+into tears, and cried, "Why will Mr. Blandy expose himself and me so?
+How can the poor soul get it? But he shall have my watch if he ever
+wants it, and I cannot pay him in money." To this I made answer, "As
+to paying him in money, mamma, that you never can; having never been
+mistress of such a sum, nor likely ever to be so; but make yourself
+easy, if we meet, you will never be asked for it."
+
+The next day she and I went to see her sister, Mrs. Frances Stevens,
+who then lived with her uncle, Mr. Cary, in Watling Street; where Mr.
+Cranstoun and his cousin, Mr. Edmonstoun, took their leave of us, we
+being to set out for Henley the day following. Mr. Cranstoun brought
+the money with him, which he delivered into my mother's own hand; on
+which, not being able to speak, she squeezed his hand and burst into
+tears. He then kissed her, and said, "Remember, 'tis a son, and
+therefore don't make yourself uneasy; you can't lie under any
+obligation to me." Then he took me by the hand, and led me into
+another room. Here I was going to return him thanks for his goodness
+to my mother: but this he prevented, by kissing me, and saying, "That
+was all he desired in return." Then he gave me five guineas, and
+desired me to keep them by me; since, in case the council should think
+a private marriage proper, they should enable me to come up in a
+post-chaise to London, and meet him there, with all possible
+expedition. After a little farther discourse, we parted in a very
+moving manner. I paid ten pounds for my mother, out of the forty
+pounds she had been supplied with by Mr. Cranstoun, that very night.
+The next morning we set out for Henley, where we arrived in due time.
+The day following, being Sunday, I wrote to Mr. Cranstoun, as he had
+requested me to do; giving him an account of our safe arrival, and
+thanking him in the strongest terms, for his late extraordinary
+favour. The next day, being Monday, the other thirty pounds, being the
+remaining part of the money my mother had borrowed of Mr. Cranstoun,
+she paid to the footman, for fowls, butter, eggs, wine, and other
+provisions, brought into the house, chiefly on account of
+entertainments, by him.
+
+From this time to Sept. 28th, 1749, my mother continued in a good
+state of health. But on that day, which was about half a year after
+her last departure from London, at one o'clock in the morning, she was
+taken very ill. This giving me, who always lay with her, great
+uneasiness, I immediately got up, and called her maid., who instantly
+appeared; and then she got out of bed, and retired. When she came into
+bed again, she said, "My dear Molly, don't fright yourself: You know
+there is now no danger." In order to understand which words, it will
+be proper to observe, that, when my mother was in labour of me, she
+received a hurt; which made me apprehensive of ill consequences, which
+either the cholick, which was her present disorder, or any
+obstructions in the parts contiguous to those which are the seat of
+that distemper, happened. She lay pretty easy till six, when I
+dispatched a messenger for Mr. Norton, the apothecary to the family,
+who lived in Henley. When he came, she complained of a pain in her
+bowels; upon which he took some blood from her, and ordered her some
+gentle physic. She seemed better after this, but nothing passed
+through her. It being Friday, and many country gentlemen meeting to
+bowl at the Bell Inn, the Rev. Mr. Stevens of Fawley, my mother's
+brother, came thither that day, paid a visit to his sister, and found
+her greatly indisposed. When he left the room, in which she lay, for
+she kept her bed, I followed him out, and asked him, if he thought
+there was any danger; telling him how she then was, the manner in
+which she was first seized, and what had been prescribed her. As she
+before had had several such fits of cholick, Mr. Stevens did not
+apprehend any immediate danger. I said, "If my mamma was not better
+soon, I would send for a physician." To which he replied, "You are
+much in the right of it; but stay a little, and see what effects the
+physic will have." He called again in the evening, and found her
+better, tho' nothing had yet passed through her. About twelve o'clock
+at night my mother obliged me, who was then myself indisposed, to get
+into another bed; and promised to send to me, if she found herself
+worse. Soon after this, she grew much worse; but would not send to her
+daughter, saying, "She would know her fate too soon." She farther said
+in Mr. Norton, who was then with her, "My daughter loves me so well,
+that I wish my decease may not be the death of her." Between five and
+six o'clock in the morning, on Saturday Sept. 30th, 1749, my mother's
+maid came up to me, and told me, that, "If I would see my mother
+alive, I must come immediately into her chamber." I leaped out of bed,
+put on my shoes, and one petticoat only, and ran thither in the
+greatest confusion imaginable. When my mother saw me, she put out her
+hand, and said, "Now, Molly, shew yourself a Christian, and submit to
+what God is pleased to order. I must die, my dear: God will enable you
+to bear it, if you pray to Him." On which I turned about in a state of
+distraction, ran to my father's room, and said to him, "For God's
+sake, sir, come to my mother's room: she is this instant dying." Then
+I ran, with great inquietude, into the kitchen, where I found my
+footman, and sent him immediately to Fawley for the Rev. Mr. Stevens,
+my uncle, and his brother, Mr. Henry Stevens, of Doctors Commons, who
+was then at his house in Henley. I also, at the same time, dispatched
+a messenger to Dr. Addington, who lived at Reading. After which I went
+upstairs, and found my father sitting by my mother's bedside. She took
+him and me both by the hand, joining our hands together, and saying to
+him, "Be both a father and a mother to her: I have long tried and
+known her temper, Mr. Blandy. She is all your heart can wish for, and
+has been the best of daughters to me. Use her with a generous
+confidence, and she will never abuse it. She has set her heart upon
+Cranstoun; when I am gone, let no one set you against this match." To
+these last words Mr. Blandy immediately made answer, "It shall not be
+my fault, if this does not take place; but they must stay, you know,
+till the unhappy affair in Scotland is decided." "God bless you,"
+replied she, "and thank you for that promise; God bless you, Mr.
+Blandy, for all your kindnesses to me and my girl. God grant that you
+may both live long, that you may be a blessing to each other. Whatever
+little unkindnesses may have passed I freely forgive you. Now, if you
+please to go down, Mr. Blandy, for my spirits fail me." My father then
+kissed her, and retired in tears, saying, as he went, "The doctor
+still may think of something that may be of service to you." At this
+she smiled and said, "Not without you can give me a new inside." When
+my father was gone, my mother took hold of my hand, drew me to her,
+and kissed me. Taking notice that I had no cloaths on, she ordered my
+maid to bring 'em down, and dress me. This being done, she ordered her
+servants out of the room; and told me, "she had many things, if her
+strength would permit, to say to me. Be sure then," said she, "Molly,
+when I am gone, to remember the lessons I have taught you. Be dutiful
+to your father; and if you think I have been sometimes a little hardly
+used, do not remember it in wrath; but defend my character if
+aspersed. I owe some more money, Molly, God knows how you will get it
+paid. I wish your uncles would stand your friends. If your father
+should know it, I am only fearful for you. Indeed, my dear, I never
+spent it in extravagancies. I was in hopes you would have been
+married; I then would have told your father all, as I could have come
+to you till his passion had been over." On my being drowned In tears,
+she catched me in her arms, and cried, "I leave the world with the
+greatest pleasure, only thee makes me sorry to go. Oh that I could but
+take you along with me!--But then what would poor Cranstoun do? Be
+sure, child, you behave with honour in that affair; don't, either
+thro' interest or terror, violate the promises you have made." To this
+I reply'd, "You may be sure, madam, I never will. I will do all I can
+to act as you would wish your daughter to do. Oh mamma, you have been
+the best of mothers to me! How can I survive you, and go thro' all the
+miseries I must meet with after your death, without a friend to advise
+with on any emergency or occasion." "My dear," returned she, "your
+uncle John, in things you cannot speak to your papa about, will help
+and advise you in the tenderest manner; and you may repose an absolute
+confidence in him."
+
+Soon after Mr. Stevens of Fawley came, and I conducted him into my
+mother's chamber. At his approach to her, he was so overwhelmed with
+grief, that he could not speak a word. She took him by the hand, and
+said, "I am glad to see you, my dear brother. You must help to comfort
+your poor niece, who will stand in need of your assistance. Never
+forsake her, my dear brother. All that gives me pain in death is the
+leaving of her behind me." Then turning to me, "Your uncle Jack, my
+dear, will take care of you, and look on you as his own," At which Mr.
+Stevens took hold of his sister's and niece's hands, and, with tears,
+told 'em both he would. Then turning about, he asked me if the
+physician was not yet come? My mother said, "They would send for him,
+but he could be of no service to her"; giving her brother at the same
+time such reasons for her despondency as convinced him, that there
+were little or no hopes of her recovery. He found himself so moved at
+this, that he was obliged to go down stairs, and retire to my father
+and Mr. Henry Stevens, who were at that time both in the parlour. The
+physician, Dr. Addington, of Reading, soon arrived, and went directly
+to my mother's room. When he came in, she showed him the inflammation
+and swelling on her bowels. He prescribed her some physic, to be taken
+once in every two hours, and ordered her to be blooded immediately.
+Her bowels also, according to his direction, were to be fomented and
+poulticed once in every four hours. This operation I took upon myself,
+and punctually performed it. I also gave her every medicine she took
+till she was at the point of death, and I myself was forced to be
+carried out of the room in a fit. Dr. Addington, before he prescribed
+anything, went with me out of the room, and told me he was afraid he
+could do nothing for her; repeating the same afterwards both to my
+father and my two uncles. Notwithstanding which, he thought fit to
+order the above mentioned poultices and fomentations; which, according
+to his direction, were applied, tho' without producing any good
+effect. In fine, my dear mother died Sept. 30, 1749, about nine
+o'clock at night.
+
+For six months preceding her sickness, or thereabouts, being the
+interval between her last departure from London and the time her
+indisposition seized her, my mother never saw Mr. Cranstoun; tho' I
+constantly, and even almost every post, corresponded with him. It must
+here be observed, that Lady Cranstoun had wrote to my mother some time
+before, to return her thanks for the civilities her son had received
+from her. It must also be remembered, that a little before my mother
+went last to town, I and my father both received letters from Miss
+Murray, signed "N. Cranstoun," to inform us, that she was his lawful
+wife. The decree of the Court of Scotland in her favour was sent with
+these letters. When I received them, I carried them to my father.
+After he had read them, I asked him "what I was to do." His answer
+was, "I do not trouble my head about it." On which I went to my
+mother, and consulted with her about what was to be done; and, by her
+advice, wrote to Mr. Cranstoun, begging him, as he was a man of
+honour, to let me know the truth. At the same time, I sent him the
+letters that came from Scotland, and occasioned this epistle. In
+answer to this, he said, "It was certainly her hand; but that she
+never was his wife, nor has any right to the name": And, in order to
+gain credit to his assertion, he made the strongest protestations.
+Before my mother wrote last to him, and that a considerable time, he
+had sent me a solemn Contract of Marriage, wherein he declared he
+never had been married before, and stiled me therein "Mrs. Cranstoun."
+But to put an end to this digression, and proceed to what happened
+after my mother's death.
+
+On the day following her decease, which was Sunday, Mr. Stevens of
+Fawley was desired to write Mr. Cranstoun word of this sorrowful
+event; which he did, I being incapable of either knowing or doing any
+thing. Mrs. Stevens, the Rev. Mr. Stevens's wife, staid with me from
+Saturday night, when my mother died, till the Sunday night following.
+Then Mrs. Mounteney, a friend of my late mother's, came to me, and
+staid with me some time. My mother, on her deathbed, had begged me not
+to oppose the match between my father and this Mrs. Mounteney, if,
+after her death, he discovered an inclination to marry her; as she was
+a woman of honour, and would use me well for her sake. On the Tuesday
+following my mother's death Mr. Cranstoun sent his footman express to
+Henley, with letters to me and my father. When my father opened his
+letter and read it, the tears ran down his checks, and he cried out,
+"How tenderly does he write!" Then he gave Mrs. Mounteney the letter
+to read, who, after having read it, said it was as pretty a letter as
+could have been wrote on such an occasion; "He has lost a friend
+indeed," said she, "but I don't doubt," speaking to my father, "but
+you will make up her loss to them both." Then, my father said to me,
+"Pray read your letter to us." This I did, and the letter contained an
+earnest desire, that if I could not write myself, I would let his
+footman see me, that he might know how I really was; since he was
+almost distracted for fear of my being ill after so great a shock. He
+also begged me to remember, "That there was one left still, who loved
+me as tenderly as my mother could do, and whose whole happiness in
+this world depended upon my life." My father told me, tho' my mother
+was to be buried that night, "I must write a line to him, in order to
+ease the poor soul as much as I could; and let him know that he was as
+welcome to my father's house, whenever he would please to come, as he
+was before." On this I wrote to him, and shewed the letter to my
+father. The footman set out with it for London the same night, or very
+early the next morning. Mr. Cranstoun not coming down so soon as was
+expected, my father one day, being alone with me, seemed to express
+himself as if he thought it wrong; upon which I wrote a very pressing
+letter to him, to come immediately to Henley. To this he in a letter
+replied, that he was not able to go out at that time for debt, and was
+fearful if he should come, the Bailiffs might follow him; his fortune
+being seized in Scotland, for the maintenance of Miss Murray and her
+child. The debt that occasioned this perplexity, he said, was near
+fifteen guineas. I having borrowed forty pounds of Mrs. Mounteney, to
+pay off part of my mother's debts, sent him up fifteen guineas out of
+this sum; on which he came down to Henley, and staid some weeks with
+my father, who received him with great marks of affection and esteem.
+
+During this interval, he acquainted me with the great skill of the
+famous Mrs. Morgan, who had described me and my father, tho' she had
+never seen us, in the most perfect and surprising manner possible. He
+further acquainted me, that she had given him some powders to take,
+which she called Love-powders. Some time after this conversation, my
+father seemed much out of humour, and said several unkind things, both
+to Mr. Cranstoun and me. This induced Mr. Cranstoun, when alone with
+me not long after, to say, "I wish I could give your father some of
+the love-powders." "For what?" said I. "Because," replied he, "they
+would make him love me." "Are you weak enough," said I, "to think that
+there is such a power in any powders?" "Yes, I really do," replied he,
+"for I took them myself, and forgave a friend soon after; tho' I never
+intended to have spoke to him again." This subject dropped for some
+days, and no more said of it: but on my father's being very much out
+of humour one night, Mr. Cranstoun said, "If I had any of these
+powders, I would put them into something that Mr. Blandy should
+drink." To which I answered, "I am glad you have not, for I have no
+faith in such things." "But I have," replied he. Just before he
+returned to London, he received a dunning letter. This was on a
+Sunday, when my father was at church. I perceiving him to look dull,
+begged to know the reason. He said he must leave me the next day. On
+which I asked him what could occasion such a sudden departure? He then
+told me he had received a letter, concerning a debt he owed, that he
+had no money to pay; and that if he staid in Henley, the bailiffs
+might come down in quest of him thither; and you know your father's
+temper, said he, if that should happen. This induced me to desire a
+sight of the letter; which having perused, I immediately gave him the
+money he wanted on this occasion, winch amounted to fifteen pounds,
+and was part of the sum I had before borrowed of Mrs. Mounteney. This,
+with the other fifteen pounds sent him from Henley, made up thirty of
+the forty pounds he had formerly lent my mother. As soon as he had
+received this money, he wrote a letter to his creditor in London,
+informing him, that he would pay him on a day therein mentioned. A few
+days after this, he set out for London, and kept up his correspondence
+with me for several months, not returning to Henley till August 1750.
+The morning he left Henley, my father parted with him with the
+greatest tenderness; yet the moment he was gone, he used me very
+cruelly on his account. This had such an effect upon me, that it threw
+me into hysteric fits. His conduct for some time was very uncertain;
+sometimes extremely tender, and at other times the reverse; he on
+certain occasions saying very bitter and cruel things to me.
+
+During this interval, my father received a present of some dried
+salmon from Lady Cranstoun in Scotland, and a very civil letter, which
+he did not answer, tho' he seemed pleased with the contents of it. The
+first of August 1750, as I apprehend, Mr. Cranstoun wrote to my
+father, that he would wait upon him, and I carried the letter up to
+him, he then being in his bed-chamber. After he had opened and read
+it, he made no manner of answer. I then asked him what answer I should
+write. To which he replied, "He must come, I suppose." On this I wrote
+to him, giving him to understand, that I should be glad to see him.
+This produced an answer from him, wherein he told me, he would be with
+me on the Monday following; but he came on Sunday, whilst we were at
+dinner. My father received him with great tenderness seemingly, and
+said, "He was sorry he had not seen him half an hour sooner, for he
+was afraid the dinner was quite cold." My father after dinner went to
+church, and left Mr. Cranstoun and me together: after church was over,
+my father returned, drank tea with us, and seemed to be in perfect
+good humour; and so he remained for several weeks; but afterwards
+changed so much in his temper, that I seldom arose from table without
+tears. This gave Mr. Cranstoun great pain; so that he one time said to
+me, "Why will you not permit me to give your father some of the
+powders which I formerly mentioned? If I was to give him them,"
+continued he, "they are quite innocent, and will do him no harm, if
+they did not produce the desired effect." He had no sooner spoke those
+words than my father came in; upon which a profound silence ensued.
+Next morning I went into my father's study, and found him very much
+out of humour: he had spent the evening at the coffee-house, as he
+frequently did, and generally came home in a bad humour from thence. I
+went from him into the parlour where I found Mr. Cranstoun: he
+insisted upon knowing what was the matter, I appearing to him to have
+been lately in tears: I told him the whole affair. He replied, "I hate
+he should go to that house, he always comes home from thence in a very
+ill humour." I had made the tea, and got up to fetch some sugar, which
+was in a glass scrutore at the farther end of the room; and when I
+rose up, Mr. Cranstoun said to me, "I will now put in some of the
+powder--upon my soul it will not hurt him." My father was in his study
+at the time these words were spoken. I made answer, "Don't do it,
+Cranstoun; it will make me uneasy, and can do you no good." To this he
+replied, "It can do no hurt, and therefore I will mix it." After I had
+got the sugar, I returned to the tea-table, and was going to throw
+away the tea, in which Mr. Cranstoun had put some of the powder; but
+my father came in that moment, and prevented me from executing my
+design. My father seemed very much out of humour all breakfast-time;
+and, soon after breakfast was over, retired to his study. Mr.
+Cranstoun and I then took a walk. At dinner my father appeared in the
+best of humours, and continued so all the time Mr. Cranstoun stayed
+with him. Mr. Cranstoun and I used to walk out every day. On one of
+those days, Mr. Cranstoun told me he had a secret to impart to me, and
+begg'd me not to be angry with him for it; adding, he knew I had too
+much good sense to be so. The secret in short was this: he had had a
+daughter by one Miss Capel, a year before he knew me; and, as he
+pretended, all his friends had insisted upon his telling me of it. To
+this I replied, "Your follies, Cranstoun, have been very great; but I
+hope you see them." "That I do," said he, "with penitence and shame."
+"Then, sir," replied I, "I freely forgive you; but never shall, if you
+repeat these follies now after our acquaintance." "If I do," said he,
+"I must be a villain; you alone can make me happy in this world; and,
+by following your example, I hope I shall be happy in the next." Mr.
+Cranstoun gave my father the powder in August 1750, and stayed with
+him in Henley, as I believe, till some day in the beginning of
+November, the same year. A day or two after the preceding dialogue,
+one morning I got, up, and asked my maid, "How Mr. Cranstoun did?" Who
+answered, "He is gone out a walking, Madam." Upon this, I, as soon as
+I was drest, went up into Mr. Cranstoun's room, to look out his linnen
+for my maid to mend. I could not find it on the table, where it used
+to lie; and seeing a key in his trunk, I opened it. The first thing I
+found there was a letter from a hand I knew not, tho' he used always
+to give me his letters to open, and that unasked by me. This I opened
+to read, and found it to come from a woman he kept. Having read it, I
+shut the trunk, locked it fast, and put the key in my pocket. The
+letter I left in the same place where I found it. I then went down to
+my father in his study, and asked him to come to breakfast. He said,
+"No, not till Cranstoun returns home;" on which I retired into the
+parlour. A few minutes after, Mr. Cranstoun and Mr. Littleton, my
+father's clerk, both came in together. We all of us then went to
+breakfast. My father said to me, soon after we sat down, "You look
+very pale, Molly; what is the matter with you?" "I am not very well,
+sir," replied I. After we had breakfasted, my father and his clerk
+went out of the room. I then gave Mr. Cranstoun the keys of his trunk,
+and bade him be more careful for the future, and not leave his letters
+so much exposed. At these words he almost fainted away. He got up, and
+retired to his room immediately. I was going to my own room, when he
+called to me, and begged me, for God's sake, to come to him: which I
+instantly did. He then fell down on his knees before me, and begged
+me, for God's sake, to forgive him; if I was resolved to see him no
+more. On this I told him I forgave him, but intreated him to make some
+excuse to leave Henley the next day: "For I will not," said I, "expose
+you, if I can help it; and our affair may scorn to go off by degrees."
+The last words, seemingly so confounded him, that he made me no
+answer, but threw himself on the bed, crying out, "I am ruined, I am
+ruined. Oh Molly, you never loved me!" I then was upon the point of
+going out of the room, without giving him any answer. Upon which he
+got hold of my gown, and swore, "He would not live till night, if I
+did not forgive him." He bad me, "Remember my mother's last dying
+commands, and reflect upon the pain it would give his mother." He
+protested "that he could never forgive himself, if I did; and that he
+never would repeat the same provocations." He kept me then two hours,
+before he could prevail upon me to declare, that I would not break off
+my acquaintance with him. Mr. Cranstoun pretended to be sick two or
+three days upon this unlucky event; but I cannot help thinking this
+now to have been only a delusion. Some time after this Mr. Cranstoun
+had a letter from his brother, the Lord Cranstoun, to desire him to
+come immediately to Scotland, in order to settle some of his own
+affairs there, and to see his mother, the Lady Cranstoun, who was then
+extremely ill. Upon the arrival of this letter Mr. Cranstoun said to
+me, "Good God, what shall I do! I have no money to carry me thither
+and all my fortune is seized on, but my half-pay!" This made me very
+uneasy. He then said, "He would part with his watch, in order to
+enable him to raise a sum sufficient to defray the expence of his
+journey to Scotland." I told him, "I had no money to give him, but
+would freely make him a present of my own watch; as I could not bear
+to see him without one." Then I took a picture of himself, which he
+had some time before given me, off my watch, and freely made him a
+present of it. Two days after this he departed for Scotland, and I
+never afterwards saw him. He set out about six o'clock in the morning.
+My father got up early that morning to take leave of him before his
+departure, at which he seemed vastly uneasy. He took him in his arms,
+and said, "God bless you, my dear Cranstoun, when you come next, I
+hope your unhappy affair will be decided to our mutual satisfaction."
+To this Mr. Cranstoun replied, "Yes, sir, I hope in my favour; or if
+this should fail that you should hear of my death. Be tender to,"
+continued he, "and comfort this poor thing," turning towards me, "whom
+I love better than myself." Then my father look Mr. Cranstoun and
+myself in his arms, and we all three shed tears. This was a very
+moving scene. My father afterwards went out of the room, and fetched a
+silver dram-bottle, holding near half a pint, filled it with rum, and
+made a present of both to Mr. Cranstoun; bidding him keep the
+dram-bottle for his sake, and drink the liquor on the road; assuring
+him, that if he found himself sick or cold, the latter would prove a
+cordial to him. Mr. Cranstoun then got into the post-chaise, and took
+his leave of Henley.
+
+It will be proper to take notice in this place, by way of digression,
+of a very remarkable event, or rather series of events, that happened
+before Mr. Cranstoun's last departure for Scotland. One day whilst my
+mother and I were last in London, we were talking of the immortality
+of the soul; and the subject we were then upon led us insensibly to a
+discourse of apparitions; and that again to a promise we made each
+other, that the first of us who died should appear to the survivor,
+after death, if permitted so to do. My mother dying first, in the
+manner already related, I sometimes retired into the room where she
+died, in hopes of seeing her. Here I lay near half a year, earnestly
+desiring to see my mother, without being able either to see or hear
+any thing. After this, my father lay in that room; but for some time
+neither saw nor heard any thing. Afterwards, one night, he taxed me
+with being at his chamber door, rapping at it, rushing with my
+silk-gown, and refusing to answer him when he called to me. My chamber
+was at a small distance from his, and into it he came the next
+morning: demanding for what reason I had so frighted him. To this I
+replied, "I had never been at his door, nor out of my bed the whole
+night." He then inquired of all the maids, who only lay in the house,
+whether any of them disturbed him; to which they all answered in the
+negative. Soon after this, Mr. Cranstoun came to Henley, as has been
+already observed, and was put into a room, called the hall-chamber,
+over the great parlour; which was reckoned the best in the house. Here
+he was shut out from the rest of the family. Till October 1750, above
+a year after my mother's death, no noise at all was heard, excepting
+that at Mr. Blandy's chamber-door above mentioned. But one morning in
+the beginning of that month, Mr. Cranstoun being in the parlour, I
+asked him, "What made him look so pale, and to seem so uneasy?" "I
+have met," said he, "with the oddest accident this night that ever
+befel me: the moment I got into bed, I heard the finest music that can
+possibly be imagined. I sat up in my bed upon this, to hear from
+whence it came; and it seemed to me to come from the middle of the
+stairs. It continued, as I believe, at least above two hours." At this
+I laughed, and said, "O Cranstoun, how can you be so whimsical?" "Tis
+no whim," replied he, "for I really heard it; nor had I been asleep;
+for it began soon after I got into bed." I then said, "Don't make
+yourself uneasy, if it was so; since nothing ill, sure, can be
+presaged by music." When my father came into the parlour, this topic
+of conversation was instantly dropped. The next night, I, who lay
+quite at the other end of the house, being awake, heard music, that
+seemed to me to be in the yard, exceeding plainly. Upon this, I got up
+and looked out of the window that faced the yard, but saw nothing. The
+music, however, continued till near morning, when I fell asleep, and
+heard no more of it. My mother's maid coming into my chamber, as
+usual, to call me, I told her what I heard. This drew from her the
+following saucy answer: "You see and hear, Madam, with Mr. Cranstoun's
+eyes and ears." To which I made no other reply than, "Go, and send me
+my own maid". As soon as I was dressed, I went into Mr. Cranstoun's
+room, whom I found sitting therein by the fire. I asked him, at first
+coming into the room, "How he had spent the night, and whether he had
+heard the music?" To which he replied, "Yes, all night long; I could
+not sleep a wink for it; nay, I got out of my bed, and followed it
+into the great parlour, where it left me. I then returned into my own
+room, and heard such odd noises in the parlour under me, as greatly
+discomposed me." "I wish," added he, "you would send me up a bason of
+tea." To which I replied, "Pray come down, as you are now up; for you
+know my papa is better tempered when you are by, than when I am with
+him alone." We then both went down to breakfast, but said nothing to
+my father of what had happened.
+
+A little while after this, Susannah Gunnel, my mother's maid, who had
+before given me the impertinent answer, came into my bedchamber before
+I was up, and told me she had heard the music. She also begged my
+pardon for not believing me, when I had formerly averted the same
+thing. Mr. Cranstoun, myself, and this maid then talked all together
+about this surprising event. Mr. Cranstoun declared he had heard
+noises, as well as music, which the other two at that time never
+heard. The music generally began about twelve o'clock at night. My
+father obliging the family to be in bed about eleven, I told the
+aforesaid maid, who was an old servant in the family, "That she and I
+would go together up into Mr. Cranstoun's room at twelve o'clock, and
+try if we could find out what these noises were." According to
+agreement, therefore, we went up into that room at the hour proposed;
+and heard very clearly and most distinctly the music. The maid fell
+asleep about three o'clock in the morning; but was soon waked with an
+uncommon noise, heard both by Mr. Cranstoun and myself. This noise
+resembled thumping or knocking at a door, which greatly terrified Mr.
+Cranstoun, and the maid. In less than a minute after this, we all
+three heard plainly the footsteps of my mother, as I then apprehended,
+by which she seemed to be going down stairs towards the kitchen door,
+which soon after seemed to be opened. We all three sat silent, and
+heard the same invisible being come up stairs again. Upon this, I took
+the candle, they still sitting by the fire, and was going to open the
+chamber door, saying, "Surely it must be one of the maids." Mr.
+Cranstoun observing this, cried out, "Perhaps it may be your father,
+don't let him see you here." Then he took the candle, opened the door,
+and looked down the stairs himself; but could perceive nothing at all.
+In less than three minutes after this I said, "I will now go into my
+room to bed, being fatigued and frightened almost to death." "I
+believe," continued I, "it is near four." These words were no sooner
+uttered than we all heard the former footsteps, as tho' some person
+had been coming directly to the room where we were, but stopped short
+at the door. Upon this I immediately catched up the candle, went to
+the door and open'd it; but saw nothing, tho' I heard something
+plainly go down the stairs. Then I went to the maid, who was half
+asleep, and did not perfectly hear the last footsteps. But Mr.
+Cranstoun heard them, and seemed greatly surprised. Then I bad the
+maid go with me instantly to bed, not being able to keep up my spirits
+any longer. Soon after this, Mr. Cranstoun and I went up to Fawley, to
+pay a visit to the Rev. Mr. Stevens; and whilst we were there, I gave
+my uncle an account of this surprising affair. But he laughed at me,
+and called me little fool, for my pains. Then Mr. Cranstoun said,
+"Sir, I myself heard it." To which Mr. Stevens made no other reply
+than, "Sir, I don't doubt you think you heard it; but don't you
+believe there is a great deal in fancy? May it not be some trick of
+the servants?" To which I made answer, "No, Sir, that is impossible;
+since if they could make the noise, they could not the music." Mr.
+Stevens not giving much credit to what we affirmed, we immediately
+changed the subject of discourse. By this time all the servants that
+lay in the house had heard both the music and noise; and one morning
+at breakfast, Mr. Cranstoun ventured to tell my father of the music.
+At such a strange report, my father stared at him, and cried, "Are yon
+light-headed?" In answer to which Mr. Cranstoun reply'd, "Your
+daughter, sir, has heard the same, and so have all your servants." To
+this my father, smiling, returned, "It was Scotch music, I suppose;"
+and said some other things that shewed he was not in good humour. Upon
+which it was thought fit immediately to drop the discourse.
+
+Some few days after this, on a Sunday in the afternoon, Mr. Cranstoun
+and I being alone in the parlour, Betty Binfield, the cook-maid, came
+running into the room, and said, "There is such a noise in the room
+over my master's study, for God's sake come into the yard and hear
+it." But when we came, we could hear nothing. However, returning into
+the parlour through the hall, we heard a noise over our heads, like
+that of some heavy person walking. The room over the hall was once my
+mother's dressing-room, tho' it then had a bed in it: but now, it was
+my dressing-room, it had none at all. Hearing the noise, we both went
+up into the room; but then, notwithstanding the late noise, could see
+nothing at all. After which, we went down and drank tea with my
+father.
+
+About a fortnight before Mr. Cranstoun's last departure for Scotland,
+Susannah Gunnel one morning going into his room with some vinegar and
+water to wash his eyes, he asked her, "If ever her master walked in
+his sleep?" She replied, "Not that she ever knew of." "It is very
+odd," said he, "he was in my room to-night, dressed with his white
+stockings, his coat on, and a cap on his head. I had never," continued
+he, "been asleep, and the clock had just struck two. I heard him walk
+up my stairs, open the door, and come into the room: upon which I
+moved my curtain, and seeing him, I cried, 'Aha! old friend, what did
+you come to fright me? I have not been asleep since I came to bed, and
+heard you come up.' But he went on, he would not answer me one word.
+However, he walked quite across my room, then turned back, and as he
+approached my bed-side, kissed his hand, bowed, and went out of the
+room. Then I heard him go down stairs. It was, certainly," continued
+he, "your master, sleeping or waking; but which, I cannot tell." Susan
+greatly surprised at this story, then came running down to me, who was
+getting up, and told me what Mr. Cranstoun had said. To this I made no
+answer, but went up immediately into his room, and asked him what he
+meant by this story Susan had told me. In answer to which, he repeated
+the same story, and declared it to be true in every particular. He
+then said, "He supposed Mr. Blandy came to see whether he was in bed
+or not." When he went down to breakfast, he asked my father, "What
+made him fright him so last night?" My father being surprised at this,
+and staring on him, asked him, "What he meant?" Mr. Cranstoun then
+told the same story over again. To which my father replied, "It must
+have been a dream, for I went to bed at eleven o'clock, and did not
+rise out of it till seven this morning. Besides, I could not have
+appeared in my coat, as you pretend, since the maid had it to put a
+button upon it." My father did not seem pleased with the discourse;
+which induced me to put an end to it as soon as possible. The
+surprising facts here mentioned, of the reality of which I cannot
+entertain the least doubt, made a deep and lasting impression upon my
+mind. Since, therefore, in my opinion, they were too slightly touched
+upon at my trial, notwithstanding the incredulity of the present age
+as to facts of this nature, I could by no means think it improper to
+give so particular and distinct a relation of them here.
+
+Mr. Cranstoun, soon after this, taking his leave of Henley, set out
+for Scotland, as has been already observed. A day or two after his
+departure, Mr. Cranstoun wrote me a letter on the road, wherein he
+begged me to make acceptable to my father his most grateful
+acknowledgements for his late goodness to him. "This," he said, "had
+made such an impression upon him, that he never should forget it as
+long as he lived; and that he should always entertain the same tender
+sentiments for him as for his father, the late Lord Cranstoun,[25]
+himself, had he been then alive." In the same letter, he also desired
+me to permit my letters to be directed by some body who wrote a more
+masculine hand than mine; since otherwise they might be intercepted by
+some one or other of Miss Murray's family, as they were jealous of the
+affair carried on between us two. He likewise therein insisted upon my
+subscribing myself "M.C." instead of "M.B." tho' he did not discover
+to me the real view he had therein. Soon after he arrived at his
+mother's, he wrote me another letter, wherein he informed me, that he
+told his mother[26] we were married, and had been so for some time: and
+that she would write to me, as her daughter, by the very next post.
+This she did; and her letter came accompanied with one from her son,
+wherein he desired me, if I loved him, to answer his mother's by the
+return of the post, and sign myself "Mary Cranstoun" at length, as I
+knew before God I was, by a solemn contract, entitled to that name.
+This, he pretended, would make his mother stir more in the Scotch
+affair. On the supposition that I was her daughter, she wrote many
+tender letters to me, always directing to me by the name of "Mary
+Cranstoun," and sent me some very handsome presents of Scotch linen.
+He also obliged his eldest sister, Mrs. Selby,[27] and her husband, to
+write to me as their sister. Lady Cranstoun likewise wrote to my
+father in a very complaisant style, thanking him for the civilities he
+had shewn her son; and hinting, that she hoped it would be in her
+power to return them to me, when she should have the pleasure of
+seeing me in Scotland, which she begged might be soon. Lord Cranstoun,
+his brother, also wrote to my father, and returned him thanks in the
+same polite manner. During this whole period, my father's behaviour to
+me was very uncertain; but always good after he had received any of
+these letters. In a few months, however, after Mr. Cranstoun's
+departure, my father's temper was much altered for the worse. He
+upbraided me with having rejected much better offers than any that had
+come from Scotland; and at last ordered me to write to Mr. Cranstoun
+not to return to Henley, till his affair with Miss Murray was quite
+decided. I complied with this order, writing to him in the terms
+prescribed me. To this I received an answer full of tenderness, grief,
+and despair. He said, "He found my father loved him no longer, and was
+afraid he would inspire me with the same sentiments. He saw," he said,
+"a coolness throughout my whole letter; but conjured me to remember
+the sacred promises and engagements that had passed between us." After
+this, I received several other letters from him, filled with the same
+sort of expostulation; and penned in the same desponding and
+disconsolate strain. I likewise received several letters from his
+mother, the old Lady Cranstoun, and Mrs. Selby, his sister, wrote in a
+most affectionate style.
+
+In April, or the beginning of May, 1751, as I apprehend, I had another
+letter from Mr. Cranstoun, wherein he acquainted me, that he had seen
+his old friend, Mrs. Morgan; and that if he could procure any more of
+her powder, he would send it with the Scotch pebbles he intended to
+make me a present of. In answer to this, I told him, "I was surprised
+that a man of his sense could believe such efficacy to be lodged in
+any powder whatsoever; and that I would not give it my father, lest it
+should impair his health." To this, in his next letter, he replied,
+"That he was extremely surprised I should believe he would send any
+thing that might prove prejudicial to my father, when his own interest
+was so apparently concerned in his preservation." I took this as
+referring to a conversation we had had a little before he set out for
+Scotland; wherein I told him, "I was sure my father was not a man of a
+very considerable fortune; but that if he lived, I was persuaded he
+would provide very handsomely for us and ours, as he lived so retired,
+and his business was every day increasing." So far was I from
+imagining, that I should be a gainer by my father's death, as has been
+so maliciously and uncharitably suggested! Mr. Cranstoun also seemed
+most cordially and sincerely to join with me in the same notion. Soon
+after this, in another letter, he informed me, "That some of the
+aforesaid powder should be sent with the Scotch pebbles he intended
+me; and that he should write upon the paper in which the powder was
+contained, 'powder to clean Scotch pebbles,' lest, if he gave it its
+true name, the box should be opened, and he be laughed at by the
+person opening it, and taken for a superstitious fool, as he had been
+by me before." In June 1751, the box with the powder and pebbles
+arrived at Henley, and a letter came to me the next day, wherein he
+ordered me to mix the powder in tea. This some mornings after I did;
+but finding that it would not mix well with tea, I flung the liquor
+into which it had been thrown out of the window. I farther declare,
+that looking into the cup, I saw nothing adhere to the sides of it;
+nor was such an adhesion probable, as the powder swam on the top of
+the liquor. My father drank two cups of tea out of that cup, before I
+threw the powder into it: nor did he drink any more out of it that
+morning, it being Sunday, and he fearing to drink a third cup, lest he
+should be too late for church. It has been said by Susan Gunnel, at my
+Trial, that she drank out of the aforesaid cup, and was very ill after
+it. In answer to which, I must beg leave to observe, that she never
+before would drink out of any other cup, than one which she called her
+own, different from this, and which I drank out of on that and most
+other mornings. It has been farther said, that Dame Emmet, a
+charwoman, was likewise hurt by drinking tea at my father's house: be
+pleased to remember, Reader, that I mixed it but in one cup, and then
+threw it away. Susan said, she drank out of the cup and was ill, what
+then could hurt this woman, who to my knowledge was not at our house
+that day? Mr. Nicholas, an apothecary, attended this old woman in the
+first sickness they talk of, which, by Susan, I understood was a
+weakness common to her, viz. fainting fits and purging; and I know,
+that she had had fainting fits many times before. When I heard she was
+ill, I ordered Susan to send her whey, broth, or any thing that she
+thought would be proper for her. She had long served the family, would
+joke and divert me, and I loved her extremely. Nor can my enemies
+themselves (let them paint me how they please) deny that from my heart
+I pitied the poor. I never felt more pleasure, than when I fed the
+hungry, cloathed the naked, and supplied the wants of those in
+distress. Had God blessed me with a more plentiful fortune, I should
+have exerted myself in this more; and I flatter myself, that the poor
+and indigent of our town will do me justice in this particular, and
+own that I was not wanting in my duty towards them. But to proceed in
+my account: I would not fix on any other charwoman; and Susan said,
+that Dame Emmet would, she thought, by my goodness, soon get strength
+to work again. I told her, was it ever so long I would stay for her. I
+mixed the powder, as was said before, on the Sunday, and on the
+Tuesday wrote to Mr. Cranstoun, that it would not mix in tea, and that
+I would not try it any more, lest my father should find it out. This
+has been brought against me by many: but let any one consider, if the
+discovery of such a procedure as this, would not have excited anger,
+and consequently have been followed by resentment in my father. This
+might have occasioned a total separation of me from Mr. Cranstoun, a
+thing I at that time dreaded more than even death itself. In answer to
+this letter, I had one from him to assure me the powder was innocent,
+and to beg I would give it in gruel, or something thicker than tea.
+Many more letters to the same effect I received, before I would give
+it again; but most fatally, on the 5th August, I gave it to my poor
+father, innocent of the effects it afterwards produced, God knows; not
+so stupid as to believe it would have that desired, to make him kind
+to us; but in obedience to Mr. Cranstoun, who ever seemed
+superstitions to the last degree, and had, as I thought, and have
+declared before, all the just notions of the necessity of my father's
+life for him, me, and ours. On the Monday the 5th, as has been said, I
+mixed the powder in his gruel, and at night it was in a half-pint mug,
+set ready for him to carry to bed with him. It had no taste. The next
+morning, as he had done at dinner the day before, he complained of a
+pain in his stomach, and the heart-burn; which he ever did before he
+had the gravel. I went for Mr. Norton at eleven o'clock in the
+forenoon, who said, that a little physick would be right for my father
+to take on Wednesday. At night he ordered some water gruel for his
+supper, which his footman went for. When it came, my father said,
+"Taste it, Molly, has it not an odd taste?" I tasted it, but found no
+taste different from what is to be found in all good water gruel.
+After this he went up to bed, and my father found himself sick, and
+reached; after which he said he was better, and I went up to bed.
+Susan gave him his physick in the morning, and I went into his
+bed-chamber about eight o'clock; then I found him charming well. Susan
+says that on my father's wanting gruel on the Wednesday, I said, as
+they were busy at ironing, they might give him some of the same he had
+before. I do not remember this; but if I did, it was impossible I
+should know that the gruel he had on Tuesday was the same he had on
+Monday; as that he drank on Monday was made on Saturday or Sunday, I
+believe on Saturday night; much less imagine that she whoever made it,
+and managed it as she pleased, would pretend to keep such stale gruel
+for her master. Thursday and Friday he came down stairs. I often asked
+Mr. Norton, "If he thought him in danger; if he did, I would send for
+Dr. Addington." On Saturday Mr. Norton told me, "he thought my father
+in danger." I said, "I would send for the doctor;" but he replied, "I
+had better ask my father's leave." I bid him speak to my father about
+it, which he did; but my father replied, "Stay till to-morrow, and if
+I am not better then, send for him." As soon as I was told this, I
+said, "That would not satisfy me; I would send immediately, which I
+did; and Mr. Norton, the apothecary, attested this in Court." On the
+same night, being Saturday, the doctor came, I believe it was near
+twelve o'clock. He saw my father, and wrote for him: he did not then
+apprehend his case to be desperate. I have been by this gentleman
+blamed, for not telling then what I had given my father. I was in
+hopes that he would have lived, and that my folly would never have
+been known: in order the more effectually to conceal which, the
+remainder of the powder I had, the Wednesday before, thrown away, and
+burnt Mr. Cranstoun's letter: so I had nothing to evince the innocence
+of my intention, and was moreover frightened out of my wits. Let the
+good-natured part of the world put themselves in my place, and then
+condemn me if they can for this. On Sunday my father said, "He was
+better"; but found himself obliged to keep his bed that day. Mr.
+Blandy, of Kingston, a relation of ours, came to visit us, stayed with
+me to breakfast, and then went to church with Mr. Littleton, my
+father's clerk. I went, after they had gone to my father, and found
+him seemingly inclined to sleep; so let him, retired into the parlour,
+and wrote to Mr. Cranstoun, as I did almost every post. I had, on the
+Friday before, a letter from him; wherein some secrets of his family
+were disclosed. As I wrote in a hurry, I only advised him to take care
+what he wrote; which, as my unhappy affairs turned out, my enemies
+dressed up greatly to my disadvantage at my trial. I gave this letter,
+as I did all of them, to Mr. Littleton to direct, who opened it,
+carried it to a friend of his for advice on the occasion, and conveyed
+it to a French usher; who, by the help of it, published a pamphlet
+entitled, _The Life of Miss Mary Blandy_. On Sunday in the afternoon,
+Mrs. Mounteney and her sister came to see my father; who told them,
+"He hoped he should soon be able to meet them in his parlour; since he
+thought himself better then." Susan was to sit up with her master that
+night. The Rev. Mr. Stockwood, Rector of the parish, came in the
+evening to visit him; the apothecary was there likewise; and he
+desired the room might be quite still; so that only Susan, the old
+maid, was to be with him. After this I went up to my father's bedside;
+upon which he took me in his arms and kissed me: I went out of the
+room with Mr. Stockwood and Mr. Norton, the apothecary, almost dead,
+and begg'd of the latter to tell me if he thought my father still in
+danger. He said "he was better, and hoped he would still mend.
+To-morrow," said he, "we shall judge better, and you will hear what
+Dr. Addington will say." While Mr. Stockwood staid, Mr. Littleton and
+Betty, my father's cook-maid, behaved tolerably well; but as soon as
+he was gone they altered their conduct; however, upon Mr. Norton's
+speaking to him, Mr. Littleton became much more civil; and Betty
+followed his example. I took a candle, and went up into my own room;
+but in the way I listened at my father's door, and found everything
+still there; this induced me to hope that he was asleep. On Monday
+morning, I went to his door, in order to go in: his tenderness would
+not let me stay up a-nights; but I was seldom from him in the daytime.
+I was deprived access to him; which so surprised and frightened me,
+that I cried out, "What, not see my father!" Upon which, I heard him
+reply, "My dear Polly, you shall presently;" and some time after I
+did. This scene was inexpressibly moving. The mutual love, sorrow, and
+grief, that then appeared, are truly described by Susannah Gunnel;
+tho', poor soul, she is much mistaken in many other respects. I was,
+as soon as Dr. Addington came, by his orders, confined to my own room;
+and not suffered to go near my father, or even so much as to listen at
+his door; all the comfort I then could have had, would have been to
+know whether he slept or no; but this was likewise refused me. A man
+was put into my room night and day; no woman suffer'd to attend me. My
+garters, keys, and letters were taken away from me, by Dr. Addington
+himself. Dr. Lewis, who it seems was called in, was at this time with
+him; but he behaved perfectly like a gentleman to me. During this
+confinement I had hardly any thing to eat or drink: and once I staid
+from five in the afternoon till the same hour the next day without any
+sustenance at all, as the man with me can witness, except a single
+dish of tea; which, I believe, I owed to the humanity of Dr. Lewis. I
+had frequently very bad fits, and my head was never quite clear; yet I
+was sensible the person who gave these orders had no right to confine
+me in such a manner. But I bore it patiently, as my room was very near
+my father's, and I was fearful of disturbing him. Dr. Addington and
+Dr. Lewis then came into my room, and told me "Nothing could save my
+dear father." For some time I sat like an image; and then told them,
+that I had given him some powders, which I received from Cranstoun,
+and feared they might have hurt him, tho' that villain assured me they
+were of a very innocent nature. At my trial, it appeared, that Dr.
+Addington had wrote down the questions he put to me, but none of my
+answers to them. The Judge asked him the reason of this. He said,
+"They were not satisfactory to him." To which his lordship replied,
+"They might have been so to the Court." The questions were these. Why
+I did not send for him sooner? In answer to which, I told him, that I
+did send for him as soon as they would let me know that my father was
+in the least danger. And that even at last I sent for him against my
+father's consent. This, I added, he could not but know, by what my
+father said, when he first came on Saturday night into his room. The
+next question was, why I did not take some of the powders myself, if I
+thought them so innocent? To this I answered, I never was desired by
+Mr. Cranstoun to take them; and that if they could produce such an
+effect as was ascribed to them, I was sure I had no need of them, but
+that had he desired this, I should most certainly have done it. It is
+impossible to repeat half the miseries I went thro', unknown, I am
+sure, to my poor father. The man that was set over me as my guard had
+been an old servant in the family: which I at first thought was done
+out of kindness; but am now convinced it was not. When Dr. Addington
+was asked, "If I express'd a desire to preserve my father's life, and
+on this account desired him to come again the next day, and do all he
+could to save him," he said, "I did." He then was asked his sentiments
+of that matter; to which he replied, "She seemed to me more concerned
+for the consequences to herself than to her father." However, the
+Doctor owned that my behaviour shewed me to be anxious for my poor
+father's life. Could I paint the restless nights and days I went
+through, the prayers I made to God to take me and spare my father,
+whose death alone, unattended with other misfortunes, would have
+greatly shocked me, the heart of every person who has any bowels at
+all would undoubtedly bleed for me. What is here advanced, the man
+that attended me knows to be true also, who cannot be suspected of
+partiality. Susan Gunnel can attest the same. She observed at this
+juncture several instances between us both of filial duty and paternal
+affection.
+
+On Wednesday, about two o'clock in the afternoon, by my father's
+death, I was left one of the most wretched orphans that ever lived.
+Not only indifferent and dispassionate persons, but even some of the
+most cruel of mine enemies themselves, seem to have had at least some
+small compassion for me. Soon after my father's death I had all his
+keys, except that of his study, which I had before committed to the
+care of the Rev. Mr. Stevens of Fawley, my dear unhappy uncle,
+delivered to me. This gentleman and another of my uncles visited me
+that fatal afternoon. This occasioned such a moving scene, as is
+impossible for any human pen to describe. After their departure, I
+walked like a frantic distracted person. Mr. Skinner, a schoolmaster
+in Henley, who came to see me, as I have been since informed, declared
+that he did not take me to be in my senses. So that no stress ought to
+be laid on any part of my conduct at this time. Nor will this at all
+surprise the candid reader, if he will but dispassionately consider
+the whole case, and put himself in my place. I had lost mine only
+parent, whose untimely death was then imputed to me. Tho' I had no
+intention to hurt him, and consequently in that respect was innocent;
+yet there was great reason to fear, that I had been made the fatal
+instrument of his death--and that by listening to the man I loved
+above all others, and even better than life itself. I had depended
+upon his, as I imagined, superior honour; but found myself deceived
+and deluded by him. The people about me were apprized, that I
+entertained, and not without just reason, a very bad opinion of them;
+which could not but inspire them with vindictive sentiments, and a
+firm resolution to hurt me, if ever they had it in their power. My
+cook-maid was more inflamed against me than any of the rest; and yet,
+for very good reasons, I was absolutely obliged to keep her. My
+mother's maid was disagreeable to me; but yet, on account of money due
+to her, which I could not pay, it was not then in my power to dismiss
+her. But this most melancholy subject I shall not now chuse any
+farther to expatiate upon. I have brought down the preceding narrative
+to my father's death, where I at first intended it should end.
+Besides, I have now not many days to live, and matters of infinitely
+greater moment to think upon. May God forgive me my follies, and my
+enemies theirs! May he likewise take my poor soul into his protection,
+and receive me to mercy, through the merits of my Mediator and
+Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who died to save sinners! Amen.
+
+The foregoing narrative, which I most earnestly desire may be
+published, was partly dictated and partly wrote by me, whilst under
+sentence of death; and is strictly agreeable to truth in every
+particular.
+
+MARY BLANDY.
+
+Witness my hand.
+
+Signed by Miss Mary Blandy, in the Castle at Oxford, April 4,
+1752, in presence of two Clergymen, members of the University
+of Oxford.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX V.
+
+LETTER FROM MISS BLANDY TO A CLERGYMAN IN HENLEY.
+
+(From No. 8 of Bibliography, Appendix XII.)
+
+
+The following is an answer to a letter sent Miss Blandy by a worthy
+clergyman in Henley, upon a very extraordinary subject, and highly
+deserves a place here:--
+
+  Rev. Sir,--I received yours, and at first felt all the horror
+  innocence so belied could do; but now, Sir, I look on it as a
+  blessing from God, both to wean me from this world, and make the
+  near approach of death less dreadful to me. You desire me, in your
+  letter, if innocent of my poor mother's death and that of Mrs.
+  Pocock, to make a solemn declaration, and have it witnessed; which
+  I here do. I declare before God, at whose dread Tribunal I must
+  shortly appear, that as I hope for mercy there, I never did buy any
+  poison, knowingly, whatever of Mr. Prince, who did live at Henley,
+  and now lives at Reading, or of Mr. Pottinger, an apothecary and
+  surgeon in Henley; nor did I ever buy any poison in Henley, or
+  anywhere else in all my life; that as for mother's and Mrs. Pocock's
+  death, I am as innocent of it as the child unborn, so help me God
+  in my last moments, and at the great Day of Judgment. If ever I did
+  hurt their lives, may God condemn me. This, Sir, I hope, will
+  convince you of my innocency. And if the world will not believe what
+  even I dying swear, God forgive them, and turn their hearts. One day
+  all must appear together at one bar. There no prompting of
+  witnesses, no lies, no little arts of law will do. There, I doubt
+  not, I shall meet my poor father and mother, and my much loved
+  friend (through the mercies of Jesus Christ, who died for sinners)
+  forgiven and in bliss. There the tears that cannot move man's heart
+  shall be by God dried up. Farewell, Sir, God bless you, and believe
+  me, while I live, ever Your much obliged humble Servant,
+
+  M. BLANDY.
+
+(_N.B._--This letter was attested to be M. Blandy's, &c., Apr. 4th,
+1752.)
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX VI.
+
+CONTEMPORARY ADVERTISEMENT OF A LOVE PHILTRE.[28]
+
+(From No. 17 of Bibliography, Appendix XII.)
+
+
+(Here follows an exact copy of a most wicked advertisement, publickly
+distributed in the streets of London, and dispersed in the
+neighbouring Towns and villages; without any notice taken of such an
+enormity by the Magistrates, or any measures pursued to punish the
+miscreants who disperse them, according to their desserts. However,
+the wretches who thus impose on the world, finding their account
+therein, as they certainly do, is a proof of multitudes being as
+credulous in this affair as Miss Blandy, and account for her being
+imposed on, in the manner she declares she was, by Cranstoun.)
+
+THE FAMOUS LOVE-POWDER, OR LOVE-DROPS.
+
+Sold for Five Shillings a bottle, at the Golden-Ball, in
+Stone-Cutters-Street, Fleet-Market.
+
+Any person that is in love with a man, and he won't return it, let her
+come to me, and I'll make him glad of her, and thank ye to boot, by
+only giving him a little of these love drops, it will make him that he
+can't rest without her. And the like, if a man is in love with a young
+woman, and she won't comply, let him give her a little of this liquor
+of love, and she will not be able to rest without him. If a woman has
+got a husband that goes astray, let her give him a few of these drops,
+and it will make him, rest at home, and never desire to go no more.
+And the like with a man if his wife goes astray, it will make her that
+she will never desire no other man.
+
+This liquor is the study of a Jesuit, one Mr. Delore, and is sold by
+his nephew, Mr. John Delore, and I promise very fair, if it don't
+perform all I say, I'll have nothing for my pains; and if any young
+master has debauched a servant, and after won't have her, let her give
+him a little of this liquor, and if he don't marry her, I'll have
+nothing for it; therefore, I promise very fair, no performance no pay.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX VII.
+
+CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNT OF THE EXECUTION OF MARY BLANDY.
+
+(From No. 7 of Bibliography, Appendix XII.)
+
+
+She was attended daily by the Rev. Mr. Swinton, before whom, there is
+no doubt, she behaved properly (though in his absence seemed not under
+the least concern) as appears From Mr. Swinton, himself, whose
+veracity I don't in the least scruple, who has at various times
+declared, that whenever he was with Miss Blandy after her
+condemnation, she behaved in a becoming manner for a person under such
+circumstances; but I am afraid she had too much art for that
+gentleman, and that he was rather too credulous, and often imposed
+upon by her; she made him believe, 'tis certain, that after her
+mother's death, her apparition frequently appear'd; that there was
+musick hoard in the house night and day; yet all the performers were
+invisible. The reader will be surprised that stories of this kind
+should prevail at this time of day, and still more so, that Mr.
+Swinton should listen to them; but I am well informed that this
+gentleman himself is apt, to give credit to things of this sort.
+
+Some days before her execution, she said that she intended to speak at
+the tree, if she had spirits when she came there, but that she was
+afraid the sudden shock of seeing the gallows might be too much for
+her to withstand, and that her spirits might fail her, unless she had
+an opportunity of seeing it beforehand, which she did, as the reader
+will find hereafter.
+
+We are now arrived at the verge of this unfortunate's life; the day
+before her execution she receiv'd the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's
+Supper, and sign'd and deliver'd the following paper, in order to
+convince the world how much she had been imposed on and seduc'd.
+
+I, Mary Blandy, do declare, that I die in a full persuasion of the
+truth and excellency of the Christian religion, and a sincere, though
+unworthy, member of the Church of England. I do likewise hope for a
+pardon and remission of my sins, by the mercy of God, through the
+merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, my most blessed Lord and
+Saviour. I do also further declare, that I did not know or believe
+that the powder, to which the death of my dear father has been
+ascribed, had any noxious or poisonous quality lodged in it; and that
+I had no intention to hurt, and much less to destroy him, by giving
+him that powder; All this is true, as I hope for eternal salvation,
+and mercy from Almighty God, in whose most awful and immediate
+presence I must soon appear. I die in perfect peace and charity with
+all mankind, and do from the bottom of my soul forgive all my enemies,
+and particularly those who have in any manner contributed to, or been
+instrumental in bringing me to the ignominous death I am so soon to
+suffer. This is my last declaration, as to the points therein
+contained; and I do most earnestly desire, that it may be published
+after my decease. Witness my hand, MARY BLANDY.
+
+It has been before intimated that Miss often declared to the Rev. Mr.
+Swinton that since the death of her mother she had frequently in the
+night, and sometimes in the day been entertained with musick,
+performed, as she imagined, by invisible spirits; and since her
+conviction, has often been amused in the same manner; but in the night
+before her execution, the musick was more heavenly than ever she had
+heard it before; and this she declared in the morning before she was
+executed.
+
+As a report had been universally spread that she would be executed on
+the Friday before, a very great concourse of people were got together
+upon the Castle Green, to be spectators of the execution. Miss went up
+several times into the room facing the Green, where she could view the
+great crowd of people about it; which she did with all the calmness
+and unconcern imaginable; and only said that she would not balk their
+expectations, tho' her execution might be deferred a day or two
+longer.
+
+About ten o'clock on Sunday night, being informed that the Sheriff was
+come to town, she sent a messenger to him, to request that she might
+not be disturbed till right in the morning, and that as soon after as
+he pleased she would be ready for the great task she had to undergo.
+Accordingly, about half an hour after eight, the Sheriff, with her
+attorney, and the Rev. Mr. Swinton, went to the Goal, and after half
+an hour's private prayers with the clergyman, she came down into the
+Goal yard, where the Sheriff's men were, and held two guineas in her
+hands for the executioner, which she took with her to the fatal tree.
+
+The night before her execution, she spent the chief of her time in
+prayers. She went to bed about the usual hour, and had little rest in
+the fore part of the night, but was at prayers in bed between three
+and four o'clock; after ending of which, she got up and dress'd
+herself; and some time after this, went up into the upper rooms of the
+house to look upon the gallows, which is opposite the door of the
+goal, and made by laying a poll across upon the arms of two trees,
+when she observed that it was very high. She went out of the Castle
+about nine o'clock, attended by the Rev. Mr. Swinton, dress'd in a
+black crape sack, with her arms and hands ty'd with black paduasoy
+ribbons, and her whole dress extremely neat; her countenance was
+solemn, and her behaviour well suited to her deplorable circumstances;
+but she bore up under her misfortunes with amazing fortitude.
+
+When she came to the gallows Mr. Swinton read several select prayers
+suitable to the occasion, and then asked her if she had anything to
+say to the populace? to which she answered, yes. She then begged the
+prayers of all the spectators, and declared herself guilty of
+administering the powder to her father, but without knowing that it
+had the least poisonous quality in it, or intending to do him any
+injury, as she hoped to meet with mercy at that great Tribunal before
+whom she should very shortly appear. And as it had likewise been
+rumoured that she was instrumental in the death of her mother in like
+manner as her father, and also of Mrs. Pocock, she declared herself
+not even the innocent cause of either of their deaths (if she was the
+innocent cause of that of her father) as she hoped for salvation in a
+future state.
+
+As she ascended the ladder, after she had got _up_ about five steps,
+she said, "Gentlemen, do not hang me high, for the sake of decency;"
+and then being desired to step up a little higher, she did two stops,
+and then turning herself about, she trembled, and said, "I am afraid I
+shall fall." After this, the halter was put about her neck, and she
+pulled down her handkerchief over her face, without shedding one tear
+all the time. In this manner she prayed a little while upon the
+ladder, then gave the signal, by holding out a little book which she
+had in her hands. There was not a large concourse of people at the
+execution, but the most thinking part of them were so affected with
+her behaviour and deplorable circumstances, that they were in tears.
+After hanging above half an hour the Sheriff gave orders for her being
+cut down. Thus far the utmost decorum was observed, but for want of
+some proper person to take care of her body, this melancholy scene
+became still more shocking to human nature. There was neither coffin
+to put her body in, nor hearse to carry it away; nor was it taken back
+into the Castle, which was only a few yards, but upon being cut down
+was carried through the crowd upon the shoulders of one of the
+Sheriff's men in the most beastly manner, with her legs exposed very
+indecently for several hundred yards, and then deposited in the
+Sheriff's man's house, 'till about half an hour past five o'clock,
+when the body was put in a hearse, and carried to Henley, where she
+was interred about one o'clock the next morning in the church, between
+her father and mother, where was assembled the greatest concourse of
+people ever known upon such an occasion. The funeral service was
+performed by the same clergyman as wrote the letter, dated the 7th of
+March (as before inserted)[29] to whom, among seven guineas which she
+left for seven rings, she bequeathed one of them.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX VIII.
+
+LETTER FROM THE WAR OFFICE TO THE PAYMASTER-GENERAL, STRIKING
+CRANSTOUN'S NAME OFF THE HALF PAY LIST.
+
+(From the original MS. in the possession of Mr. A.M. Broadley.)
+
+
+  War Office, 14th March, 1752.
+
+  Sir,--On Tuesday the 3d instant came on at Oxford, before the
+  Honble. Mr. Baron Legge & Mr. Baron Smythe, the Tryal of Miss Mary
+  Blandy for Poisoning her late Father; when first Lieutenant Wm.
+  Henry Cranstoune, a reduc'd first Lieut. of Sir Andrew Agnew's late
+  Regt. of Marines, now on the British Establishment of Half-Pay, was
+  charg'd with contriving the manner of sd. Miss Blandy's Poisoning
+  her Father and being an Abettor therein: And he having absconded
+  from the time of her being comitted for the above Fact:--I am
+  comanded to signify to you it is His Majesty's Pleasure that the sd.
+  Lieutenant Wm. Henry Cranstoune be struck off the sd. Establishment
+  of Half Pay, and that you do not issue any Moneys remaining in your
+  Hands, due to the sd. Lieut. Cranstoune.--I am,
+
+  Sr. your most obedient & most humble Servant,
+
+  H. FOX
+
+  Rt. Honble. Mr. Pitt, Paymaster-General.
+
+[Endorsed] War Office, 14th March, 1752. Mr. Fox to Mr. Pitt directing
+the Half Pay of Lieut. Willm. Henry Cranstoun to be Stopt. Ent. No. 1
+W.P. Fo. 11.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX IX.
+
+THE CONFESSIONS OF CRANSTOUN.
+
+
+_I.--Cranstoun's Own Version of the Facts._
+
+(From No. 19 of Bibliography, Appendix XII.)
+
+Let us now return to Capt. Cranstoun, who as soon as he heard Miss was
+committed to Oxford Jail, secreted himself from the Publick, so that
+when Messengers were dispatched with Warrants to apprehend him, he was
+not to be found. In this concealment (either in Scotland, or the North
+of England) he lay for six months, that is from the middle of August,
+till a few days before Miss's Trial, which, came on the 2nd of March,
+when being well informed of the dangerous Situation she was in, and
+that his own Fate depended upon hers, his thought it high time to take
+care of himself; which he did by transporting himself to Bologn in
+France.
+
+[Illustration: Captain William Henry Cranstoun, with his pompous
+funeral procession in Flanders
+(_From an Engraving by B. Cole_.)]
+
+On his Arrival at Bologn, he found out one Mrs. Ross, whose Maiden
+Name was Dunbar and a distant relation to his family. To this woman he
+made his Application, told her the Troubles in which he was involved
+and entreated her to have so much compassion on him as to protect and
+conceal him till the storm was a little blown over, and to screen him
+from the Dangers he had just Reason to apprehend. Mrs. Ross was so
+affected by his disastrous condition, that in regard to the noble
+Family of which he was an unhappy Branch, she promised to serve him in
+the best Manner she could; but advised him to change his name, and to
+take that of Dunbar, which had been that of her own.
+
+Here the Captain thought himself secure from the Pursuit of his
+Enemies; but, unluckily for him, some of his Wife's Relations, who
+were Officers in some French Troops residing there, got Scent of him,
+and knowing in what a base & treacherous manner he had used that
+unhappy Woman, and being inform'd, that, to escape the Hand of
+Justice, he had fled thither for Refuge, threatened Vengeance if ever
+they should light on him, for his inhuman Usage of his Wife. The
+Captain hearing of their Menaces, and not doubling but they would be
+as good as their Words, kept very close in his Lodging.
+
+In this obscurity he continued to the 26th of July, not daring to
+speak to any Body, or even to stir out of doors. But being at length,
+weary of his Confinement, and under dreadful Apprehensions that he
+should one day fall a Sacrifice to the Resentment of his Persecutors,
+consulted with Mrs. Ross, what course he should take to avoid the
+Dangers he was then exposed to. After mature Deliberation, it was
+agreed, that he and his two companions who went over with him, should
+take a trip to Paris; and in order to secure a place of retreat, upon
+any Emergency, Mrs. Ross should go to Furnes, a town in Flanders, in
+the Jurisdiction of the Queen of Hungary, where they would come to her
+on their return.
+
+Accordingly the next Morning before Day, they set out on their
+Journey, not in a Postchaise, or any Publick Vehicle, for fear of a
+Discovery, but on Foot; and lodging every Night at some obscure
+Village, till their Arrival at Paris.
+
+The Subject of their Conversation on the Road generally turned upon
+the Captain's Amours and the Intrigues he had been engaged in with the
+Fair Sex, but more particularly his affair with Miss Blandy. They
+expressed their surprize that he should make his addresses to a young
+Lady of her Character and Fortune, with a view of marrying her, when
+the Conjugal Obligations he was already under, rendered the
+Accomplishment impossible:
+
+Nothing, answered the Captain, seems impossible to Men of undaunted
+Courage and heroic Spirits.... Now, as to Miss Blandy, with whom you
+are surprized I should enter into such deep engagements, attend to my
+Reasons, and your Wonder I believe will soon cease. I am, you know,
+the Son of a Nobleman, and, consequently have those high Thoughts and
+ambitious Desires which are inherent to those of a noble Extraction.
+As a younger Son, my Patrimony was too small to gratify my Passion for
+those Pleasures enjoyed by my Equals. This put me on contriving
+Schemes to answer the Extent of my Ambition.
+
+On my coming to Henley, my first Enquiry was, what Ladies were the
+Toasts among the Men of Pleasure & Gaiety. Miss Blandy was named as
+the chief of them, and famed for a great Fortune. Accident soon gave
+me an Interview with her; I visited, and was well received by the
+whole Family, and soon insinuated myself into her good Graces, and I
+quickly perceived that she had swallowed the Bait. The Father
+entertained me at Bed and Board, and the Daughter obliged me with her
+Company, and supplyed my Wants of Money upon every Emergency, nor was
+the Mother less fond of me than the Daughter.
+
+But no human Bliss is permanent; it was not long before a Discovery
+was made that I was a married Man. Here I had Occasion for the
+Exercise of all my Cunning. To deny it, I knew was to no purpose,
+because it would be proved; and to own it, might be the means of
+ruining my Design. Now, in order to steer safely between Scilla and
+Charibdis, I fairly owned the Charge; but at the same Time intimated,
+that the Noose was not tyed so fast, but that it might be easily
+undone, and that I was then in a Fair Way of setting that Marriage
+aside; and to gain belief to my Assertion, I persuaded my poor
+credulous Wife to disown me for her Husband, whose Letter restored me
+to the good opinion of the Family, but especially of my Mistress and
+her Mother.
+
+The old Gentleman, however, was not so easy of Belief; he was afraid
+there was a Snake in the Grass and tho' he seemed to give Credit to my
+Protestations, that the Cause would quickly be decided, yet I could
+easily perceive a Coldness in his Behaviour, which was an evident
+Proof to me that I had lost ground in his favour; nor was I less
+sensible that the event of my Trial in Scotland, would not contribute
+anything to replace me in his good Opinion. I found myself in such a
+situation, that I must very shortly, either lose my Mistress, and,
+what was more valuable to me, her Fortune, or make one desperate Push
+to recover both. Several schemes for this purpose were offered to my
+Thoughts; but none seemed so feasible as dispatching the Old Man into
+the other World: For if he was but once Dead, I was well assured I
+should soon be in Possession of his Estate. I had however, one
+Difficulty to surmount, which was, to make my Mistress a Party
+concerned in the Execution of my Project. I knew she was greatly
+provoked at her Father's late unkind Behaviour to me; which I took
+care to aggravate all I could, which produced the Effects I desired;
+and she declared she was ready to embrace any scheme I could propose
+to release us from our Embarrassments; nay, I convinced her, that we
+should never have her Father's consent, and therefore it would be in
+vain to wait for it. And, in order to fix her entirely in my Interest,
+I used all my Rhetorick to persuade her to a private Marriage, which
+however for good Reasons she did not think proper to agree to; yet she
+gave me her solemn Vow, that no other Man but myself should call her
+Wife, and that in the mean Time, she should reckon herself in Duty
+bound to have the utmost Regard to my Will & Pleasure.
+
+What I now speak of, was after Judgment was given against me in
+Scotland, and a Decree, confirming the Validity of my Marriage, had
+been pronounced. This Decree, I assured Mr. Blandy, his Wife and
+Daughter, I should be able to vacate by an Appeal to the next
+Sessions. After several pretended Delays in the Proceedings, finding
+Mr. Blandy's temper very much soured against me, I thought it
+necessary to hasten my Project to a Conclusion. To this end I had
+several private conferences with my Mistress; wherein I observed to
+her the visible decay of her Father's Affections to me, and the
+Improbability of his ever giving his consent to our marriage, and
+therefore that other measures must be taken to accomplish our
+Happiness, which otherwise would be very precarious. I told her I was
+possessed of a Drug, produced no where but in Scotland, of such rare
+Qualities, that by a proper Application, it would procure Love where
+there never was any, or restore it when absolutely lost and gone. Of
+this Drug, or Powder, I would give some to her Father, and she would
+soon be convinced of its Efficacy by its benevolent Effects.
+Accordingly I mixed some with his Tea several times, But in such small
+quantities as I knew would not immediately effect him; and I assured
+her, that tho' it did not produce a visible Alteration at present, its
+Operations being slow and internal, yet in the end it would
+effectually do its Work.
+
+I likewise pretended there was an absolute Necessity for my going into
+Scotland in order to bring on the Appeal, but in reality to carry on
+my Design against old Blandy with the greater secrecy and security.
+But before I went, I took care to infuse such notions into her Head as
+tended to lessen the Guilt of destroying the Life of a Father, who
+obstructed the Happiness of his only Child; and strenuously argued,
+that the froward humours of old Age ought not to put a restraint on
+the Pleasures of Youth, and that when they did so, there was no sin in
+removing the Obstacle out of the way.
+
+But to prevail with her to come more heartily into my Measures, I
+played another Stratagem upon her.... Having thus persuaded her into a
+Belief of an Event, which I had good Grounds to be assured would
+certainly happen, I found no great difficulty in bringing her to use
+the Means to accomplish it. I told her I was then going to Scotland,
+for the Purposes she knew; that I would thence send her a Quantity of
+the Powder; and to prevent a Discovery, would send her a Parcel of
+Scots Pebbles, with Directions to use it in cleaning them, but really
+in the Manner as she had seen me use it, & as often as she had
+Opportunity.
+
+Miss, I find, in the Narrative she has published of her Case, solemnly
+declares, she was perfectly ignorant of the noxious Quality of the
+Powder: but had she suffered the Publick to have seen my Letters, the
+World would have known that she was privy to the Design, and equally
+concerned in the Plot, as I can convince you even to Demonstration by
+her Answers to my Letters, under her own Hand, which I will show you
+when we return to our Lodgings. However, I do not blame her for
+denying it, because it was the only means she had left of persuading
+the World to believe her innocent.
+
+Perhaps, Gentlemen, you will suppose I am guilty of a great deal of
+Vanity, in imagining myself capable of so grossly imposing on the
+Understanding of a Lady of such refined sense as Miss Blandy was
+acknowledged to be. In answer to which I can only say, that when Love
+has taken possession of the Heart, it leaves but very little Room for
+Reflection. That this was Miss Blandy's case, I will give you some few
+instances of the violence of her Passion, and then leave you to judge
+to what extravagant Lengths that might carry her.
+
+As my small Income afforded me but slender Supplies, I was frequently
+in Debt, and as often at a loss how to come off with Honour. Miss was
+my constant Friend on such Occasions; and when her own Purse could not
+do it, she had recourse to her Servant, Susan Gunnel, who having
+scraped together about 90l. Miss borrowed near 80l. of it for the
+relief of my Wants.
+
+Again; at the Death of the Prince of Wales,[30] her Father gave her
+twenty Guineas to buy her Mourning, of which she laid out about 51.
+for that Purpose, and the Remainder she remitted to me, being then in
+Scotland.
+
+Another Instance of the Extravagance of her Passion was this: You must
+know, that during the Course of our mutual Love and Tenderness, some
+envious female Sprite whispered in her Ear, that I had at that very
+time a Bastard, and was obliged to maintain both Mother and Child. To
+this Charge I pleaded guilty, but told her, that it was a piece of
+Gallantry that was never imputed to a Soldier as a Crime, and hoped I
+might plead the general Practice in Excuse. In short, she not only
+forgave me, but contributed all in her Power to the Support of both.
+
+Miss however, was not so easily pacified on another Occasion, when she
+happened to spring a Mine that had like to have blown up all my works.
+When I lodged in the House, some Occasion or other calling me suddenly
+into the Town, I forgot to take out the Key of my Trunk. Miss coming
+into the Room soon afterwards, sees the Key, and opens the Repository,
+when the first thing she cast her Eyes upon, was a Letter, which I had
+lately received from a Mistress I kept in _Petto_. This opened such a
+scene of Ingratitude and Perfidy, that when she charged me with it, I
+was scarce able to stand the Shock, and was so thunderstruck, that for
+some time I had not a word to say for myself. But when I had a little
+recollected my scattered Spirits, I had Address enough to pacify her
+Wrath, even in an Instance of such a notorious Breach of my Fidelity.
+
+These you will allow, were uncommon Instances of Affection for a Man
+so circumstanced as I was; after which, can you suppose her capable of
+denying me anything within the Compass of her Power? Can you any
+longer wonder that she should join with me in compassing the Death of
+her Father, when I had convinced her that our Happiness could no
+otherwise be accomplished?
+
+In this manner the Captain entertained his Companions on their Journey
+to Paris. Where being arrived, they took a Lodging in a By-street....
+Every day for a fortnight, they spent in visiting the most remarkable
+places in Paris.... But finding their Exchequer pretty near exhausted,
+they began seriously to think of returning home to their good
+Landlady. Accordingly they set out on their journey and on the third
+day reached Furnes, where they again met with a kind reception. Mr.
+Ross, their Landlord, was likewise then just returned from England,
+where the Captain had sent him to receive Money for a Bill of 60l.
+which was the only Remittance that was sent him from his Arrival in
+France to the Time of his Death.
+
+Not long after his return to Fumes he was taken with a severe Fit of
+Illness, from which however he recovered.... In this miserable
+condition he languished till he bethought himself that possibly he
+might receive some spiritual Belief from a Father famed for his Piety
+in a neighbouring Convent. To him he addresses himself and entreats
+his assistance & advice. The good Father having probed the wounds of
+his Conscience, and brought him to a due sense of his Sins, applyed
+the healing remedy of Absolution, on the Penitent's declaring himself
+reconciled to the Church of Rome.
+
+After this, Cranstoun seemed to be pretty easy in his mind, but e'er
+long was seized with a terrible desease in his body, which was swoln
+to that Degree that it was apprehended he would have burst, & felt
+such Torments in every Limb & Joint, as made him wish for Death for
+some days before he died, which was Nov. 30, 1752.... After the
+Funeral was over, a Letter was sent to his Mother, the Lady Dowager
+Cranstoun; to which an answer was soon returned with an Order, to
+secure & seal up all his Papers of every kind, & transmit them to his
+Brother the Lord Cranstoun in Scotland and his cloathes, consisting
+chiefly of Laced & Embroidered Waistcoats, to be sold for the
+Discharge of his Debts; All this was punctually complied with.
+
+I shall only add, that by the Captain's Death, his wife came to enjoy
+the 75l. a year, the Interest of the 1500l. which was his Paternal
+Fortune; and by his Will, Heir to the Principal, to support her and
+her Daughter; which was some Recompense for the Troubles and Vexations
+he had occasioned her.
+
+
+_II.--Captain Cranstoun's Account of the Poisoning of the Late Mr.
+Francis Blandy._
+
+(No. 20 of Bibliography, Appendix XII.)
+
+PREFACE TO THE PUBLICK.
+
+As the Publick are in great Doubts concerning the Truth of the cruel,
+and almost unparalleled Murder of the late Mr. Blandy, of HENLEY UPON
+THAMES, in Oxfordshire, by Reason of the mysterious Accounts published
+as the Confession of his Daughter, who was executed for that cruel
+Parricide, and which were done by her own Desire and Direction: the
+following Pages are thought necessary to be made publick, by which the
+World may be satisfied concerning that tragical Affair: which is from
+the Words of Captain WILLIAM-HENRY CRANSTOUN, hitherto supposed, but
+now out of Doubt, to have been concerned with her in that black Crime:
+and also from original Letters of hers, and papers found immediately
+after his Decease, in his Portmanteau-Trunk in his Room in the House
+of Mons. MAULSET, the Sign of the BURGUNDY CROSS, in the Town of
+FURNES, in the AUSTRIAN NETHERLANDS, where he died on THURSDAY, the
+30th of NOVEMBER last, and was buried in the Cathedral Church there,
+in great Funeral Pomp, on the second of DECEMBER.
+
+It is thought needless to premise any more, only to assure the Publick
+that what is contained in the following short Tract is authentick, and
+gives an account of the Vicissitudes of Fortune, which attended
+Captain CRANSTOUN, from the Time of his absconding for Prevention of
+his being apprehended, to the Time of his Death, which was attended
+with great Torments.
+
+  Miss Mary Blandy, being suspected of poisoning her Father, Mr.
+  Francis Blandy, who died in great Agonies, on the 14th of August,
+  1751, was examined by the Mayor and Coroner of Henley upon Thames:
+  and there appearing, upon the Oaths of the Servants to the Deceased,
+  and others, sufficient Grounds to think that Miss Blandy, with the
+  Assistance and Advice of Capt. William Henry Cranstoun, was the
+  Parracide, she was accordingly committed to Oxford Castle: and a
+  proper Warrant and Messenger was sent, in order to apprehend the
+  said Capt. Cranstoun, who was then supposed to be either in
+  Northumberland or Scotland, with his Mother: but the Affair being in
+  the News-Papers, it reached the Knowledge of a certain Person of
+  Distinction, who was a relation of the Captain's, before the
+  Messenger and Warrant got down, who informed him thereof: upon which
+  the Captain thought it most advisable to abscond: And being secreted
+  from that Time, in England, till the Beginning of March, 1752, when
+  Miss was tried at Oxford Assizes, and found guilty, it was then
+  thought proper for him to get out of the Kingdom: as upon her Trial
+  it appeared, beyond all Doubt, that he was principally concerned in
+  that Murder, and furnished her with the Powders that compleated the
+  vile Deed.
+
+  On the eighteenth Day of March, at which Time she lay under Sentence
+  of Death, he embarked in a Vessel for Bologne in France, and went by
+  the name of Dunbar, a Female distant relation of his, of that name,
+  being there at the time: who was married to one R----[31], and who
+  was there on Account of some Debts he had contracted in Great
+  Britain.
+
+  Cranstoun arrived at Bologne on the 27th Day of the Month of March,
+  which soon being known, he was obliged to be kept secret in that
+  Town; as some of the Relations of his Wife who were Officers in one
+  of the Scotch Regiments in the French Service, upon hearing of his
+  being there, declared they would destroy him, not only for his cruel
+  and villainous Usage to his Wife and Child, but also as being a
+  Murderer: and went purposely to Bologne.
+
+  He continued at Bologne in Secret till the 20th of July last, when
+  he absconded privately in the Morning early, with the said R----,
+  and his Wife who were obliged to fly, on Account of an Arret of the
+  Parliament of Paris, which had ordered him to pay 1000 Livres, and
+  Cost of a Law-Suit, to the famous or, more properly, infamous
+  Captain P-----w,[32] so well known here: And as that Affair was
+  something remarkable, I shall here give the reader a brief Relation
+  of it, notwithstanding it is foreign to Mr. Cranstoun's Affair,
+  which, as it will take up but little Room, I am almost persuaded
+  will not be disagreeable to the Reader.
+
+  A certain Irish Nobleman being at Bologna, on Account of Debts he
+  owed in England, Capt. P----w being there at the same Time, got
+  acquainted with the above-named Irish Lord. At this Time Mr. R----,
+  who was married to Mr. Cranstoun's Relation, as above-named, was a
+  Merchant in that Town, and who, together with many more of the
+  Merchants of the Place, was taken in very considerably by the said
+  Irish Lord.
+
+  The above-nam'd Lord having got as deep in Debt as he possibly
+  could, and his being so intimately acquainted with the Captain, who
+  lived very profusely with my Lord, on the Money he had got upon
+  Credit: this R----, with the Rest of that Nobleman's Creditors,
+  began to press his Lordship for their Money, and his Lordship
+  finding it impossible to weather the Storm off much longer, having
+  told them, from Time to Time, that he was to have great Remittances
+  from his Steward: and P----w puffing his Lordship off greatly to the
+  Creditors, his Lordship secretly got away from Bologne, in a Vessel
+  that was bound for Ireland.
+
+  His Lordship being gone, the Creditors all agreed (affirming that
+  P----w was concerned in facilitating his Escape, and cheating them)
+  to apply to the Magistrates of the City of Bologne for a Process
+  against P----w, for their several Debts due to them from his
+  Lordship, as he was not only concerned in helping him to make his
+  Escape, but had partaken largely of the Money.
+
+  Upon their application P----w was arrested, and cast by the
+  Magistrates of Bologne afterwards in the Law-Suit: who appealing to
+  the Parliament of Paris, against the Decree and Judgment of the
+  Magistrates of Bologne: they on hearing the Cause on both sides,
+  reversed the Decree of the Magistrates of Bologne, and issued in May
+  last an Arret, that his Lordship's Creditors should pay to the
+  Captain, as Damages for his false Imprisonment, Costs and Scandal he
+  had sustained by the Prosecution of their Suit, 3000 Livres, besides
+  all his costs in both Courts, and also that they should be at the
+  Expence of Printing and Paper, for 1500 Copies of the said Arret,
+  which were to be stuck up on the Exchanges, and other Publick
+  Places, in the several Cities and great Towns in France; which was
+  accordingly done, the latter End of the said Month of May, pursuant
+  to the said Arret.
+
+  Mr. Cranstoun about this time received a Bill of L60 from Scotland,
+  payable in London, which Mr. R---- went privately to London with,
+  and got the Money for: which was all the Remittances Cranstoun ever
+  had to the Time of his Death, from Great Britain.
+
+  Mr. R---- being returned to Bologne with the Cash in July, and not
+  being able to satisfy his Part of the Arret of the Parliament of
+  Paris, to the Captain, and dreading the fatal Consequence thereof,
+  privately absconded, as is related before, with his Wife and
+  Cranstoun, to Ostend in the Queen of Hungary's Territories, as a
+  Sanctuary from the Arret of the French Parliament: where they
+  continued only about fourteen Days, and then removed to Furnes, and
+  took up their Abode at the House known by the Sign of the Burgundy
+  Cross, where Mr. R---- died in September, and Cranstoun the 30th of
+  November following.
+
+  During the Time of his living at Furnes, he always went by the Name
+  of Dunbar, and first Cousin to Mrs. R----.
+
+  Capt. P----w, on the Credit of this Arret of Parliament, put up for
+  a great Man: who being known too well at Bologne to live there,
+  either with Respect or Honour, removed to a Town in France, call'd
+  Somers, nine Miles from Bologne, in the Road to Paris, where he took
+  the grandest House in the Place: but his Fortune being only outside
+  Shew, as it was when in England, in September he absconded from
+  thence: and was obliged to fly into the Queen of Hungary's Country
+  for Protection, having contracted large Debts in France.
+
+  The Captain now began his old Tricks; for at Brussels, going for a
+  London Merchant, he obtained a Parcel of fine Lace, some Pieces of
+  Velvets, and other Things, to the Amount of near L200, for which he
+  gave the Gentleman of Brussels a pretended Bill for L321 8s. 6d. of
+  a Banker's in London: and on the Payment of the said Bill, he was to
+  have another large Parcel of Goods.
+
+  The Bill was sent to England for Payment, but the Captain had fled
+  before the Return of a Letter, which informed the Tradesman that it
+  was a counterfeit Bill: whereupon they pursued him, and soon found
+  that the Goods he had obtained were shipped on Board a Vessel for
+  England, at Flushing, a Sea-Port in Zealand, belonging to the States
+  of Holland, from which Place the Captain had been gone three Days:
+  that was the last Account that Mrs. R---- and Cranstoun ever heard
+  of him.
+
+  I shall now proceed to the Account given by Captain Cranstoun,
+  concerning the poisoning of Mr. Blandy: in which I shall insert
+  three Letters, bearing Date the 30th of June, the 16th of July, and
+  the 18th of August, 1751: all directed for the Honourable William
+  Henry Cranstoun, Esq., which were found among his Papers at his
+  Death: all being judged by the near Similitude of the Writings to
+  have been wrote by one Person: and tho' no Name was subscribed at
+  the Bottom of either, yet, by their Contents, they plainly shew from
+  whom they were sent.
+
+  Mr. Cranstoun, at his first Coming into France, talked very little
+  concerning the Affair of Mr. Blandy's Death: but some Time after,
+  having read the Account published in London (by the Divine that
+  attended Miss Blandy in her Confinement) as her own Confession, and
+  at her desire: which was brought him by Mr. R----, when he came from
+  London, from receiving the L60 Bill before-mentioned, he began to be
+  more open upon that Head to Mr. R----, particularly in vindicating
+  himself, and blaming her for Ingratitude, for he said, she was as
+  much the Occasion of the unfortunate Deed as himself: which will
+  more fully appear from the following Relation which he gave of it
+  himself.
+
+  That they having contracted so great a Friendship and mutual Love,
+  which was absolutely strengthened by a private Marriage of her own
+  proposing, lest he should prove ungrateful to her (which he said
+  were her own Words) after so material an Intimacy, and leave her,
+  and go and live with his real Wife, and her Mother being dead, she
+  and he, the first Time they met after her Mother's Decease (which he
+  believed was about 9 or 10 months before Mr. Blandy died, and which
+  was the last Time he was at Henley) began to consult how they should
+  get the old Gentleman out of the Way, she proposing, as soon as they
+  could get Possession of the Effects of the Father, to go both into
+  Northumberland, and live upon it with his Mother: That he did
+  propose the Method that was afterwards put in Practice, and she very
+  readily came into it, and the whole Affair was settled between them,
+  when he left Henley the last Time, and never before.
+
+  He frequently declared, that he believed her Mother was a very
+  virtuous Woman, and blamed her much, for giving such a ludicrous, as
+  well as foreign Account, of some Transactions between him and her
+  Mother, in her Narrative: and hoped, he said, that what was
+  published as her solemn Declaration, That she did not know (_sic_)
+  that the Powder which he had sent her, with some Peebles, and which
+  she had administered to her Father, were of a poisonous Quality, was
+  a falsehood, and published without her Knowledge, as it appeared to
+  him the same was not done till after she was dead: for that she was
+  sensible of what Quality they were, and for what purpose sent, and
+  particularly by the effect they had on a Woman, who was a Servant in
+  her Father's Family, sometime before, as she had wrote him Word.
+
+  It will not be improper, in this Place, to insert the Letters, as
+  they tend to the Confirmation of what Mr. Cranstoun had declared.
+
+  LETTER I.
+
+    Dear Willy,--These, I hope, will find you in Health, as they leave
+    me, but not in so much Perplexity: for I have endeavoured to do as
+    directed by yours, with the Contents of your Presents, and they
+    will not mix properly.
+
+    The old Woman that chars sometimes in the House, having drank a
+    little Liquor in which I had put some is very bad: and I am
+    conscious of the Affair being discovered, without you can put me
+    into some better, or more proper Method of using them. When you
+    write, let it be as mystically as you please, lest an Interception
+    should happen to your Letter, for I shall easily understand it.
+    When I think of the Affair in Hand, I am in great Distress of
+    Mind, and endeavour to bear up under it as well as I can: but
+    should be glad if you was near me, to help to support my fleeting
+    Spirits: But why should I say so, or desire any such Thing, when I
+    consider your cogent Reasons for being at a Distance: as it might,
+    as soon as the Affair is compleated, be the Occasion of a bad
+    Consequence to us both.
+
+    I have nothing more to add, but only desire you would not be long
+    before you send me your Answer.
+
+    Yours affectionately, &c.
+
+    June 30, 1751.
+
+  (The superscription of this letter, and the next following, was
+  almost rubbed out, so could not be exactly seen: but as the word
+  Berwick was quite plain, as well as his name, it is supposed they
+  were directed as the third letter was.)
+
+
+  LETTER. II.
+
+    Dear Willy,--I received yours safe on the 11th Instant, and I am
+    glad to hear you are well. I particularly understand what you
+    mean, and I'll polish, the Peebles as well as I can, for there
+    shall not be wanting any Thing in my Power, to do the Business
+    effectually. They begin to come brighter by the new Method I have
+    taken: and as soon as I find the good Effects of the Scheme, you
+    shall have Intelligence with all convenient Speed. Adieu, for this
+    Time, my Spirits damping much: but pray God keep us in Health,
+    till we have the Happiness of seeing each other.
+
+    Yours affectionately, &c.
+
+    July 16, 1751.
+
+
+  LETTER III.
+
+    Dear Willy,--I have been in great Anxiety of Mind since last
+    Post-Day, by not hearing from you. Your letter of the 24th of last
+    Month, I received safe Yesterday, and am somewhat enlivened in my
+    Spirits by understanding you are well. I am going forward with all
+    convenient Speed in the Business: and have not only a fatiguing
+    Time of it, but am sometimes in the greatest Frights, there being
+    constantly about me so many to be kept insensible of the Affair.
+    You may expect to hear again from me soon: and rest yourself
+    assured, that tho' I suffer more Horrors of Mind than I do at this
+    Time, which I think is impossible, I will pursue that, which is
+    the only Method, I am sensible, left, of ever being happy
+    together. I hope, by my next, to inform you that the Business is
+    compleated.
+
+    Yours affectionately, &c.
+
+    August 1, 1751.
+
+  Directed for the Honourable Mr. William Henry Cranstoun, to be left
+  at the Post-House, at Berwick.
+
+  By these Letters, and the account which Cranstoun himself had given,
+  it plainly appears that the Murder of Mr. Blandy had been consulted
+  some Time: and that it must be supposed that the Powders had been
+  attempted, if not absolutely given him in his Victuals, or Liquor,
+  before the Time they were put into his Gruel, as was discovered by
+  the Maid-Servant, and which proved the Cause of his Death.
+
+  Also by these Letters it is most reasonable to believe that what was
+  meant in the last by the words, "Tho' I suffer more Horrors of Mind
+  than I do at this Time, I will pursue": that it came from the
+  unfortunate and infatuated Miss Blandy, and that poisoning her
+  Father was then fully resolved on by her: which reasonable
+  Supposition is much strengthened by the subsequent Words in the same
+  Letter, viz., "I hope in my next to inform you that the Business is
+  compleated." And I really think it can admit of no Doubt, as the
+  administring the Powders to him in his Water-Gruel, which was the
+  Cause of his Death, was but four days after the Date of this Letter,
+  for it appears by its Date to be sent on Thursday the first of
+  August, and Monday the fifth of the same Month, she acknowledged she
+  put the Powders into the Gruel: which was proved by Dr. Addington
+  and Dr. Lewis, on her Trial, to be the Cause of Mr. Blandy's Death,
+  who languished till the 14th of the same Month, when he expired.
+
+  That other Part of the same Letter, where 'tis said, "I am going
+  forward with, all convenient Speed in the Business, and have not
+  only a fatiguing Time of it, but am sometimes in the greatest
+  Fright: there being so many constantly about me, to be kept
+  insensible of the Affair," is plain enough meant that when she
+  thought of the wicked Deed she was about to perform, it brought her
+  Conscience to fly in her Face, as she advanced: and that the
+  Servants of the House were the great Obstacles in her Way.
+
+  I shall not takes up the Reader's Time any longer, in making
+  Observations on the Letters, only observe in general that they all
+  shew that the Writer was sensibly touched, at such Times as they
+  were endeavouring to practice the hellish Device, to destroy the old
+  Gentleman; and also, that sometimes their Consciences led them to
+  think of what the Consequences of such an enormous Crime must be.
+
+  I shall now return to Mr. Cranstoun. While he was at Furnes he was
+  very thoughtful, and was never observed to be once in a merry
+  Humour: frequently staying in his Room all Day, except Meal-Times:
+  and praying very devoutly.
+
+  On his finding himself once very ill, tho' it was six Weeks before
+  he died (for he recovered and went abroad after that Illness), he
+  made a Will, all which he wrote with his own Hand: in which he left,
+  after paying his Debts, at Furnes, to M. Malsot, where he lived, and
+  his Funeral Charges, all his paternal Fortune, of L1500, to his
+  Daughter by his Wife, who lives with her Relations, at Hexham, in
+  Northumberland.
+
+  This L1500 which he left in his Will to his Child, was what was left
+  him on the Death of his Father: and the Estate of his elder Brother,
+  the Lord Cranstoun, was charged with the Payment of it: and he
+  received L75 per Annum, in Lieu of the Principal Sum, L50 per Annum
+  of which was settled by Order of the Lords of Sessions, in Scotland,
+  on his Wife, at the Time when he had Villainy sufficient to bring a
+  Cause before the Court of Sessions, to set aside his Marriage: and
+  from that Time she has received it, for the Support of her and her
+  Child.
+
+  The Gentlewoman he had married, and was wicked enough to deny,[33]
+  was the Daughter of the late Sir David Murray, Baronet, and Sister
+  of the present Sir David Murray, who is now in the Service of the
+  King of France, in the East Indies: This young Gentleman was
+  unfortunate enough to take Part with the young Pretender in the late
+  Rebellion, being Nephew to Mr. Murray, of Broughton, the Pretender's
+  then Secretary: and after the Battle of Culloden was taken Prisoner,
+  and tried at Carlisle, where he received Sentence of Death as a
+  Rebel: but for his Youth, not being then above eighteen Years of
+  Age, he was reprieved and transported.
+
+  One Circumstance that appeared on the Trial of the Legality of his
+  Marriage with Miss Murray was very particular, as he had the Folly,
+  as well as the Wickedness, to deny the same: and that was, a
+  Marriage-Settlement of L50 per Annum, which he had made on her in
+  his own Hand-Writing, was produced and proved: which was confirmed
+  by the Lords of Sessions.
+
+  After the Burial of Mr. Cranstoun, at Furnes, a Letter was sent to
+  his Wife, at Hexham, to inform her of it, and another was sent to
+  the Lady Dowager Cranstoun, his Mother: to the last of which an
+  Answer was soon returned, which was to desire, that all his Papers
+  and Will might be sealed up, and sent to his Brother, Lord
+  Cranstoun, in Scotland, with an Account of what was owing, and to
+  whom, in Order for their being paid, but his Cloaths, which
+  consisted of some very rich Waistcoats, were desired to be sold at
+  Furnes: which was done accordingly.
+
+  He frequently declared his Life was a Burthen to him, and in his
+  Death he suffered great Torments: for his body was so much swoln,
+  that it was expected he would have bursted for several Days before
+  he died.
+
+  As Miss Blandy had given an Account in her Narrative, that it was
+  him who first proposed a private Marriage with each other, he
+  solemnly declared, just before he died, that he could not be
+  positive which of them proposed it first: but that he was certain,
+  that it was Miss Blandy that desired and insisted it should be so,
+  and was very pressing till it was done: And he often called upon God
+  Almighty to forgive both his Crimes, and those of Miss Blandy,
+  particularly, he said hers, as she had died with asserting so many
+  enormous Falsities contained in that Account, said to be published
+  by her Orders and Inspection.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX X.
+
+EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM DUNKIRK ANENT THE DEATH OF CRANSTOUN.
+
+(From the _London Magazine_, February, 1753.)
+
+
+On Dec. 2 last died at the sign of the Burgundy-cross in Furness, a
+town belonging to the Queen of Hungary, about 15 English miles East of
+this place, Capt. William Henry Cranstoun, aged forty-six. His illness
+did not continue above 9 days, but the last three his pains were so
+very great, and he was swelled to such a degree, that it was thought
+by the physician and apothecary that attended him, that he would have
+burst, and by the great agonies he expired in, he was thought to be
+raving mad. As he had just before his death embraced the Roman
+Catholick religion, he was buried in great solemnity, the corporation
+attending the funeral, and a grand mass was said over the corpse in
+the cathedral church, which was finely illuminated, and in which he
+was buried. Some little time before he died he made a will, which was
+sealed up in the presence of one Mrs. Ross (whose maiden name was
+Dunbar, and which name he went by) and two other persons who were also
+his acquaintance. The will he signed with his own name, and gave all
+his fortune which was in his brother's hands to his child, who is now
+living at Hexham in Northumberland, with her mother, to whom he had so
+villainously denied being married, and for which he often said, a
+curse had attended him for injuring the character of so good a wife.
+When he was asked concerning Mr. Blandy's murder, he often reflected
+on himself greatly, yet said, that Miss Blandy ought not to have
+blamed him so much as she did, but the particulars of which he said
+should never be known till his death. He first made his escape out of
+England the latter end of last February to Bologne; but as soon as he
+was known to be there, was obliged to be kept concealed by Mrs. Ross,
+some relations of his wife's, who were in that country, threatening
+revenge for his base usage to her; so that Miss Ross and he were
+obliged at last to fly from Bologne by night, which was on the 26th of
+July last, and lived in Furnes from that time. The fortune in his
+Brother's hands, which he has left to his child, by his will, is
+L1500, his patrimony which he formerly received 5 per cent. for, but
+on his being cast before the Lords of Session in Scotland, in the
+cause concerning the validity of his marriage, which was confirmed,
+L50 out of the L75 was ordered by their lordships to be paid the wife
+annually for the support of her and the child, which she received, and
+has lived ever since with some of her relations in Hexham
+aforementioned. It was further said that before he died he declared
+that he and Miss Blandy were privately married before the death of her
+mother, which was near two years before Mr. Blandy was poisoned.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX XI.
+
+LETTER FROM JOHN RIDDELL, THE SCOTS GENEALOGIST, TO JAMES MAIDMENT,
+REGARDING THE DESCENDANTS OF CRANSTOUN.
+
+(From the original MS. in the possession of Mr. John A. Fairley.)
+
+
+  Edinburgh, April 16th, 1843. 57 Melville Street,
+
+  My Dear Sir,--I herewith return your Blandy and Cranstoun
+  collections, with many thanks.
+
+  I certainly understood from the late James Rutherford, Esqr., of the
+  Customs, Edinburgh, a cadet of the Rutherfords of Edgerston, and
+  through his mother, a female descendant--one of the nearest--of the
+  Edmonstones of Corehouse, that it was in consequence of the great
+  exertions of an Edmonstone of Corehouse that the guilty Cranston was
+  first concealed, and afterwards enabled to escape abroad. I think he
+  said that the Edmonstones of Corehouse were descended, or relatives,
+  of the Cranstons, but that the latter were not descended of the
+  former, or could be in any respect their heirs.
+
+  A greater intimacy, however, subsequently arose between the two
+  families, owing to the friendly exertions of the Edmonstone as
+  above, that ended in a superannuated lady, the late Miss Edmonstone
+  of Corehouse, entailing or settling her estate upon the present
+  George Cranstoun of Corehouse,[34] nephew of the poisoner, to the
+  exclusion of the late Roger Ayton, and her other heirs at law. In
+  this manner the Cranston family may be said to have benefitted by
+  his atrocity, and advantage to have resulted from evil; the
+  friendship or kindness of the Edmonstones having been rivetted and
+  increased towards the relatives of him they had rescued, and whom,
+  on that account, they additionally cherished--this I learnt from the
+  previous authority referred to. Nay, the old lady wished above all
+  things that the _ci-devant_ judge should marry and continue his
+  line, a thing that for some special reason he did not desire, and
+  found it difficult to stave off to her. This also from the same
+  authority. Though very old, no legal ground could be found on
+  enquiry by which her settlement could be voided.
+
+  The following excerpt from the Statement of the Evidence submitted
+  to the jury, on the occasion of the present Admiral Sir Thomas
+  Livingstone of Westquarter, Baronet, being served heir-male of
+  James, first Earl of Calender in 1821, in which I was professionally
+  engaged, shews what became of the issue of William Henry Cranstoun,
+  the poisoner. Alexander (Livingstone) of Bedlormie and Ogilface,
+  afterwards Sir Alexander Livingstone, Bart., having succeeded to the
+  Scottish Baronetage of Westquarter and to the estates of that branch
+  of the house of Livingstone, was twice married; first to Anne
+  Atkinson, daughter of John Atkinson of London, and secondly to Jane
+  Cranston, daughter of the Honourable William Henry Cranston, fifth
+  son of the Lord Cranston. By his first marriage he had seven sons,
+  Alexander, William, Thomas, the claimant (still alive), John,
+  Thurstanus, James and George, and one daughter, Anne, married to the
+  Rev. John Fenton of Torpenhow, in the County of Cumberland. By his
+  second marriage he had two sons, Francis and David, both dead
+  unmarried, and one daughter, Elizabeth, married to James Kirsopp,
+  Esquire, of the Spital, Northumberland.
+
+  I remain,
+
+  Yours sincerely,
+
+  JOHN RIDDELL.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX XII.
+
+BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE BLANDY CASE.
+
+(Compiled by Mr. Horace Bleackley.)
+
+
+I. CONTEMPORARY TRACTS.
+
+1. _An Authentic Narrative of that most Horrid Parricide_. (Printed in
+the year 1751. Name of publisher in second edition, M. Cooper.)
+
+2. _A Genuine and full Account of the Parricide_ committed by Mary
+Blandy. Oxford: Printed for and sold by C. Goddard in the High St.,
+and sold by R. Walker in the little Old Bailey, and by all booksellers
+and pamphlet Shops. (Published November 9, 1751.)
+
+3. _A Letter from a Clergyman to Miss Mary Blandy with her answer
+thereto_. ... As also Miss Blandy's Own Narrative. London; Printed for
+M. Cooper at the Globe in Paternoster Row. 1752. Price Six-pence.
+Brit. Mus. (March 20, 1752.)
+
+4. _An Answer to Miss Blandy's Narrative_. London; Printed for W.
+Owen, near Temple Bar. 1752. Price 3d. Brit. Mus. (March 27, 1752.)
+
+5. _The Case of Miss Blandy considered_ as a Daughter, as a
+Gentlewoman, and as a Christian. Oxford; Printed for R. Baldwin, at
+the Rose in Paternoster Row. Brit. Mus. (April 6, 1752.)
+
+6. _Original Letters to and from Miss Blandy and C---- C----_, London.
+Printed for S. Johnson, near the Haymarket, Charing Cross. 1752. Brit.
+Mus. (April 8, 1752.)
+
+7. _A Genuine and impartial Account of the Life of Miss M. Blandy_. W.
+Jackson and R. Walker. (April 9, 1752.)
+
+8. _Miss Mary Blandy's Own Account_. London: Printed for A. Millar in
+the Strand. 1752 (price one shilling and sixpence). N.B. The Original
+Account authenticated by Miss Blandy in a proper manner may be seen at
+the above A. Millar's. Brit. Mus. (April 10, 1752. The most famous
+apologia in criminal literature.)
+
+9. _A Candid Appeal to the Public, by a Gentleman of Oxford_. London.
+Printed for J. Clifford in the Old Bailey, and sold at the Pamphleteer
+Shops. 1752. Price 6d. Brit. Mus. (April 15, 1752.)
+
+10. _The Tryal of Mary Blandy_. Published by Permission of the Judges.
+London: Printed for John and James Rivington at the Bible and Crown
+and in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1752. In folio price two shillings. 8vo.
+one shilling. Brit. Mus. (April 24, 1752.)
+
+11. _The Genuine Histories_ of the Life and Transactions of John Swan
+and Eliz Jeffries, ... and Miss Mary Blandy. London: Printed and sold
+by T. Bailey opposite the Pewter-Pot-Inn in Leadenhall Street.
+(Published after April 10, 1752.)
+
+12. _An Authentic and full History of all the Circumstances of the
+Cruel Poisoning of Mr. Francis Blandy_, printed only for Mr. Wm. Owen,
+Bookseller at Temple Bar, London, and R. Goadby in Sherborne. Brit.
+Mus. (Without date. From pp. 113-132 the pamphlet resembles the
+"Answer to Miss Blandy's Narrative," published also by Wm. Owen.)
+
+13. _The Authentic Trials of John Swan and Elizabeth Jeffryes_....
+With the Tryal of Miss Mary Blandy. London: Printed by R. Walker for
+W. Richards, near the East Gate, Oxford. 1752. Brit. Mus. (Published
+later than the "Candid Appeal.")
+
+14. _The Fair Parricide_. A Tragedy in three Acts. Founded on a late
+melancholy event. London. Printed for T. Waller, opposite Fetter Lane.
+Fleet Street (price 1/-). Brit. Mus. (May 5, 1752.)
+
+15. _The Genuine Speech of the Hon Mr. ----_, at the late trial of
+Miss Blandy. London: Printed for J. Roberts in Warwick Lane. 1752.
+(Price sixpence.) Brit. Mus. (May 15, 1752.)
+
+16. _The x x x x Packet Broke open_, or a letter from Miss Blandy in
+the Shades below to Capt. Cranstoun in his exile above. London.
+Printed for M. Cooper at the Globe in Paternoster Row. 1752. Price 6d.
+Brit. Mus. (May 16, 1752.)
+
+17. _The Secret History of Miss Blandy_. London. Printed for Henry
+Williams, and sold by the booksellers at the Exchange, in Ludgate St.,
+at Charing Cross, and St. James. Price 1s. 6d. Brit. Mus. (June 11,
+1752. A sane and well-written account of the whole story.)
+
+18. _Memories of the Life of Wm. Henry Cranstoun, Esqre_. London.
+Printed for J. Bouquet, at the White Hart, in Paternoster Row. 1752.
+Price one shilling. Brit. Mus. (June 18, 1752.)
+
+19. _The Genuine Lives of Capt. Cranstoun and Miss Mary Blandy_.
+London. Printed for M. Cooper, Paternoster Row, and C. Sympson at the
+Bible Warehouse, Chancery Lane. 1753. Price one shilling. Brit. Mus.
+
+20. _Capt. Cranstoun's Account of the Poisoning of the Late Mr.
+Francis Blandy_. London: Printed for R. Richards, the Corner of
+Bernard's-Inn, near the Black Swan, Holborn. Brit. Mus. (March 1-3,
+1753.)
+
+21. _Memories of the life and most remarkable transactions of Capt.
+William Henry Cranstoun_. Containing an account of his conduct in his
+younger years. His letter to his wife to persuade her to disown him as
+her husband. His trial in Scotland, and the Court's decree thereto.
+His courtship of Miss Blandy; his success therein, and the tragical
+issue of that affair. His voluntary exile abroad with the several
+accidents that befel him from his flight to his death. His
+reconciliation to the Church of Rome, with the Conversation he had
+with a Rev. Father of the Church at the time of his conversion. His
+miserable death, and pompous funeral. Printed for M. Cooper in
+Paternoster Row; W. Reeve in Fleet Street; and C. Sympson in Chancery
+Lane. Price 6d. With a curious print of Capt. Cranstoun. Brit. Mus.
+(March 10-13, 1753. As the title-page of this pamphlet is torn out of
+the copy in the Brit. Mus., it is given in full. From pp. 3-21 the
+tract is identical with "The Genuine Lives," also published by M.
+Cooper.)
+
+22. _Parricides!_ The trial of Philip Stansfield, Gt., for the murder
+of his father in Scotland, 1688. Also the trial of Miss Mary Blandy,
+for the murder of her Father, at Oxford, 1752. London (1810). Printed
+by J. Dean, 57 Wardour St., Soho for T. Brown, 154 Drury Lane and W.
+Evans, 14 Market St., St. James's. Brit. Mus.
+
+23. _The Female Parricide_, or the History of Mary-Margaret d'Aubray,
+Marchioness of Brinvillier.... In which a parallel is drawn between
+the Marchioness and Miss Blandy. C. Micklewright, Reading. Sold by J.
+Newbery. Price 1/-. (March 5, 1752.)
+
+Lowndes mentions also:--
+
+24. _An Impartial Inquiry into the Case of Miss Blandy_. With
+reflections on her Trial, Defence, Bepentance, Denial, Death. 1753.
+8vo.
+
+25. _The Female Parricide_. A Tragedy, by Edward Crane, of Manchester.
+1761. 8vo.
+
+26. _A Letter from a Gentleman to Miss Blandy_ with her answer
+thereto. 1752. 8vo. (Possibly the same as "A Letter from a
+Clergyman.")
+
+The two following are advertised in the newspapers of the day:--
+
+27. _Case of Miss Blandy and Miss Jeffries_ fairly stated, and
+compared.... R. Robinson, Golden Lion, Ludgate Street. (March 26,
+1752.)
+
+28. _Genuine Letters between Miss Blandy and Miss Jeffries_ before and
+after their Conviction. J. Scott, Exchange Alley; W. Owen, Temple Bar;
+G. Woodfall, Charing Cross. (April 21, 1752.)
+
+29. Broadside. _Execution of Miss Blandy_. Pitts, Printer, Toy and
+Marble Warehouse, 6 Great St. Andrew's St., Seven Dials. Brit. Mus.
+
+30. _The Addl. MSS._, 15930. Manuscript Department in the Brit. Mus.
+
+
+II. CONTEMPORARY NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES.
+
+1. _Read's Weekly Journal_, March and April (1752), February 3 (1753).
+
+2. _The General Advertiser_, August-November (1751), March and April
+(1752).
+
+3. _The London Evening Post_, March and April (1752).
+
+4. _The Covent Garden Journal_ (Sir Alexander Drawcansir), February,
+March, and April (1752).
+
+5. _The London Morning Penny Post_, August and September (1751).
+
+6. _Gentleman's Magazine_, pp. 396, 486-88 (1751), pp. 108-17, 152,
+188, 195 (1752), pp. 47, 151 (1753), p. 803, pt. II (1783).
+
+7. _Universal Magazine_, pp 114-124, 187, 281 (1752).
+
+8. _London Magazine_, pp. 379, 475, 512 (1751), pp. 127, 180, 189
+(1752), p. 89 (1753).
+
+[In addition to the two London editions of the authorised report of
+the trial specified in No. 10 of the Bibliography, it may be noted
+that the trial was reprinted at length in the same year at Dublin, and
+in an abridged form at London and Edinburgh, all 8vo.--ED.]
+
+[Illustration: The Scotch Triumvirate
+(_From a satirical Print in the Collection of Mr. Horace Bleackley_.)]
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX XIII.
+
+DESCRIPTION OF SATIRICAL PRINT, "THE SCOTCH TRIUMVIRATE."
+
+(From Catalogue of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum, Vol.
+III., Part ii., p. 847.)
+
+
+"THE SCOTCH TRIUMVIRATE."
+
+Sr ***g sc. (? Strange, W.) Ram**y Pix'd.* [1752].
+
+*These signatures were, doubtless, used with a satirical intention.
+
+This engraving displays a stage, as if erected for an execution. The
+above title is inscribed on a gallows, under which is James Lowry,
+with a rope about his neck, and in one hand a cudgel, inscribed "The
+Royal Oke Fore Mast," see below; a label in his mouth is inscribed,
+"_Lowry; the Laird of the Land; Sung by Sr. W----m. Lawther._" At his
+feet rises the ghost of Hossack, saying, "_You suffered justly, for
+Wipping me to Death. K. Hossack._"
+
+At one side stands Mr. William Henry Cranstoun, with a rope round his
+neck, and crossing his body like a riband of knighthood; in his pocket
+is "_Powder to Clean Pebbels_" in his mouth a label, "_Jammy will save
+me._" Before him rises the ghost of Miss Mary Blandy, saying, "My
+Honour, Cra----s ruin'd me." The ghost of her mother rising at the
+side of the platform, and wringing her hands in pain, replies, "Child
+he's Married!" At Cranstoun's feet is an advertisement of "_Scotch
+Powder to cure the Itch._"
+
+At the other side is Major James Macdonald, with a halter round his
+neck & crossing his body, as above; in his hand is a paper inscribed
+"_S. Sea Anuities D-am my School Master._" In his mouth is a label,
+bearing, "_I have Escaped Hanging I own I'm a Highland Villain._"
+
+In front is what is intended for a mock shield of Scotland. The shield
+is perforated with holes for eyes and a mouth so as to represent a
+mask, and it is charged with a crowned thistle; the supporters are an
+ass's head, plaided and wearing a Scotch bonnet, and a peacock. Motto,
+"_Impudent, Rebellious, Lazy and Proud._"
+
+Beneath is engraved:--
+
+  "Proud Scot, Beggarly Scot, witness keen,
+  Old England has made you all Gentlemen."
+
+James Lowry, who had commanded the "Molly" merchantman, was tried
+February 18, 1752, for the murder of Kenrich Hossack, by whipping him
+to death; after a trial of eight hours he was found guilty. "The Royal
+Oak Foremast" was the name he gave to a stick used in his manner of
+enforcing naval discipline. On the 25th of March he was hanged at
+Execution Dock, and his body was hung in chains at Blackball. Other
+acts of cruelty involving the deaths of the victims were charged on
+him. (See _The Gentleman's Magazine_, 1751, p. 234; 1752, pp. 89, 94,
+140.)
+
+The exclamation of Miss Blandy referring to Cranstoun is nearly the
+same as that uttered by the speaker, as deposed by Mrs. Lane, a
+witness at the trial, when she was arrested during a wandering flight
+between the death of her father and the returning of the verdict of
+"Wilfull Murder." The witness declared Miss Blandy said "The damned
+villain, Cranstoun!--my honour to him will be my ruin," etc. The
+exclamation of the ghost of Mrs. Blandy refers to the fact that
+Cranstoun had been married in 1745, according to the Scotch process,
+to Anne, daughter of Sir David Murray, whom he repudiated two years
+after. Cranstoun was brother of James, afterwards sixth Lord
+Cranstoun, probably the "Jammy" refered to in his speech as above
+quoted.
+
+
+
+
+Footnotes:
+
+
+[1] Henry Bathurst (1714-1794), Solicitor-General to the Prince of
+Wales, 1745; Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 1751; Lord
+Chancellor, 1771; succeeded his father as Earl Bathurst, 1775; and in
+the following year presided as Lord High Steward at the trial of the
+Duchess of Kingston. He resigned the Seal in 1778.--ED.
+
+[2] This quotation is the only reference made during the trial to this
+important letter, which, from the report, does not appear to have been
+formally "put in." See Introduction.--ED.
+
+[3] So far as appears from the report of the trial, no proof was
+offered that these words were in the handwriting of Cranstoun. See
+Introduction.--ED.
+
+[4] The Earl of Macclesfield and Lord Cadogan, the local magistrates
+who undertook the preliminary work of getting up the case for the
+prosecution.--ED.
+
+[5] Afterwards Sir Richard Aston, and one of the Commissioners of the
+Great Seal on the death of Lord Chancellor Yorke in 1770.--ED.
+
+[6] Born, 1713; died, 1790. Practised as a physician at Reading until
+1754, when he removed to London. Chatham was one of his patients. As a
+specialist in mental diseases he was called in to attend George III.
+in 1788. He was the father of Henry Addington, first Viscount
+Sidmouth.--ED.
+
+[7] The doctor intended to have excepted the stone found in Mr.
+Blandy's gall-bladder.--_Original Note_.
+
+[8] Born, 1714; died, 1781. Practised in London till 1745, when he
+removed to Kingston-on-Thames. He was eminent for his writings on the
+Pharmacopoaeia.--ED.
+
+[9] Saturday. See _infra_.--ED.
+
+[10] This lady was Mary Blandy's godmother. She died in 1781 at the
+age of 86. It is remarkable that the prisoner's fortitude remained
+unshaken throughout the trial except when Mrs. Mounteney was in the
+box.--ED.
+
+[11] The counsel for the prisoner waived the objection to this as
+hearsay evidence, because the counsel for the Crown assured them they
+would call Betty Binfield herself next.--_Original Note_.
+
+[12] According to the practice then in use, counsel for the defence
+were not permitted to address the jury.--ED.
+
+[13] Heneage Legge (1703-1759), second son of William, first Earl of
+Dartmouth, was called to the Bar, 1728, took silk in 1739, and was
+appointed one of the Barons of Exchequer in 1747.--ED.
+
+[14] The celebrated Catherine Hayes, heroine of the _Newgate Calendar_
+and Thackeray's _Catherine_.--ED.
+
+[15] George Carre of Nisbet, son of John Carre of Cavers, admitted
+Advocate 9th June, 1752. He became Sheriff of Berwick in 1748, and
+wasraised to the Bench as Lord Nisbet, 31st July, 1755. He died at
+Edinburgh, 21st February, 1760.--ED.
+
+[16] Charles Erskine, Lord Tinwald.--ED.
+
+[17] George Parker, second Earl of Macclesfield, son of Lord
+Chancellor Macclesfield, was a famous philosopher and President of
+the Royal Society. He had the principal share in preparing the Act of
+Parliament for the introduction of the change in the Calendar in 1751,
+known as the "New Style."--ED.
+
+[18] Charles, second Baron Cadogan of Oakley, died 1776. His wife was
+a daughter of Sir Hans Sloane.--ED.
+
+[19] William, eighth Earl of Home, first cousin of the Hon. William
+Henry Cranstoun, died 1761. Their mothers were Lady Anne and Lady Jean
+Kerr, daughters of the second Marquess of Lothian, and their daughter
+Lady Mary married Alexander Hamilton of Ballincrieff.--ED.
+
+[20] Afterwards fourth Marquess of Lothian, first cousin of the Hon.
+William Henry Cranstoun. He died in 1775.--ED.
+
+[21] Probably the Rev. William Stockwood, Rector of Henley.--ED.
+
+[22] Winchester.
+
+[23] Son of Robert, first Marquis of Lothian and grand-uncle of the
+Hon. Wm. Henry Cranstoun. Born, 1676. He followed a career of arms,
+and died unmarried 2nd February, 1752. His natural son, Captain John
+Kerr, courted his "cousin," Lady Jane Douglas of the "Douglas Cause,"
+and was killed in 1725 by her brother Archibald, Duke of Douglas. Lord
+Mark was not friendly with his niece, Lady Jane.--ED.
+
+[24] George, 21st Earl of Crauford, born 1729. Succeeded to that
+title, 1749; died 1781.--ED.
+
+[25] William, fifth Lord Cranstoun, married, 1703, Lady Jean Kerr, and
+died in January 7, 1726-7.--ED.
+
+[26] _Nee_ Lady Jean Kerr, died March, 1768.--ED.
+
+[27] The Hon. Anne Cranstoun married Gabriel Selby of Paston,
+Northumberland, died 1769.--ED.
+
+[28] Mr. C.J.S. Thompson, in his _Mystery and Romance of Alchemy and
+Pharmacy_, remarks, "About the sixteenth century philtres came to be
+compounded and sold by the apothecaries, who doubtless derived from
+them a lucrative profit. Favourite ingredients with these later
+practitioners were mandragora, cantharides, and vervain, which were
+supposed to have Satanic properties. They were mixed with other herbs
+said to have an aphrodisiac effect; also man's gall, the eyes of a
+black cat, and the blood of a lapwing, bat, or goat." The same
+authority states that in the seventeenth century "Hoffman's Water of
+Magnanimity," compounded of winged ants, was a popular specific.--ED.
+
+[29] Appendix III.
+
+[30] Frederick, Prince of Wales, died 20th March, 1751.--ED.
+
+[31] Ross.
+
+[32] Plaistow.
+
+[33] This denial is the more odd as the Murrays of Stanhope and the
+Kerrs of Lothian (Captain Cranstoun's maternal relatives) had already
+a marriage tie. Lord Charles Kerr of Cramond (died 1735), had married
+Janet, eldest daughter of Sir David Murray of Stanhope, and her
+daughter Jean Janet, born 1712, was the second wife of William, third
+Marquess of Lothian, Captain Cranstoun's uncle.--ED.
+
+[34] Later, Lord Corehouse, one of the Senators of the College of
+Justice.--ED.
+
+
+
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