Blandy, Mary, 1720-1752 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Murder) -- Great Britain; Trials (Poisoning) -- Great Britain
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account