Walker—I never said so in my life.
Cowper—Pray, Mrs. Walker, did you never take notice that your mistress was under melancholy?
Walker—I do not say but she was melancholy; she was ill for some time; and I imputed it to her illness, and I know no other cause.
Cowper—Have you not often told people that your mistress was a melancholy person, upon your oath?
Walker—I have said she hath been ill, and that made her melancholy.
The witness admitted that she had bought poison twice within the last six months; she bought it at her own instance, and not at the order of Mrs. Stout, or of Mrs. Crooke. She asked for white mercury. She bought it to poison a dog with; the dog used to come about the house and do mischief. It was another maid who gave it to the dog; she swore at the inquest that she had given it because she had seen it given; it was given in warm milk which did not seem discoloured.
Hatsell, Baron—You said just now your mistress was ill, and that made her melancholy; what illness was it?
Walker—My lord, she had a great pain in her head.
Hatsell, Baron—How long had she been troubled with it?
Walker—Ever since last May was twelve months was the beginning of it.