See also 4 _Co. R._ case of _Vaux_, who was executed for poisoning with Cantharides. “Persuadebat eundem Nichol’ recipere et bibere quemdam potum mixtum cum quodam veneno vocat cantharides, affirmans et verificans eidem Nichol’ quod præd’ potus sic mixtus cum præd’ veneno vocat’ canth’ non fuit intoxicatus (Anglice poisoned) sed quod per reception’ inde præd’ Nich’ exit’ de corpore dictæ Margaretæ tunc uxoris suæ procuraret et haberet.” It is to be hoped that the age of Philtres and love powders is passed. Footnote 110: At Warwick Assizes, 18 _Eliz._ _John Saunders_ and _Alexander Archer_ were indicted for the wilful murder of _Eleanor Saunders_, an infant of 3 years of age, daughter of the first prisoner. _Saunders_ wishing to get rid of his wife consulted _Archer_, by whose advice he gave her (being ill) a roasted apple, with which he had mixed _arsenic_ and _roseacre_. She ate a small part of it, and in his presence gave the remainder to the infant, for which _Saunders_ reprehended her, saying apples were not good for such children, but he permitted the child to swallow the poison, lest he should be suspected. He was condemned and executed, but a point was reserved as to the guilt of his accomplice _Archer_, for which, see _Plowden’s Rep._ 474. Footnote 111: The study of poisoning appears to have been of considerable antiquity. _Ulysses_ sought poison for his weapons from _Ilus_, “φαρμακον ανδροφονον” Od. 1. 1. v. 261; but the conscientious pharmacopolist refused to furnish his dangerous preparations to the wily chief. Footnote 112: Taciti Annal: Lib: iv. c. 8. Footnote 113: Hist: Plant. Lib: ix. c. 16, p. 189. Footnote 114: Lib: viii, c. 18. Footnote 115: For the ingenious mode in which this poison was administered, see _Tacitus_. The prince having called for a cup of wine, it was purposely presented too hot; he desired cold water to be added to it, and the opportunity was then taken to infuse the poison. By this stratagem the taster (“calida gelidæque minister.” _Juv. Sat._ v. _v._ 63.) escaped its effects, in which he must otherwise have participated with _Britannicus_. Footnote 116: The reader will find a very interesting account of this diabolical woman in _Labat’s Travels through Italy_, and also in _Beckman’s History of Inventions_. Footnote 117: _Hoffman_ Medicin. Rational. Footnote 118: This story, if we mistake not, suggested to the successful author of Kenilworth, the tragic death of his Alchymist. Footnote 119: The belief in the possibility of poisoning by the vestments is very ancient, as is shewn by the fabled death of Hercules.