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.