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