The National Register. — London, England, 1818-11-09 00:00:00

$54 1..131 EATABLE DE.ITH OF SIR S. ROMILLY. The melancholy event which we have this day to an nounce will fill every part Of the kingdom with mourn to.,—and not only of the kingdom, but every part of the enlightened world, where a just reverence for the cause of civil and religious liberty rendered its most distiaguislied advocate dear to the hearts of the liberal and humane. Cr Samuel Romilly, distracted by the death of his most amiable and beloved wife, • has sunk under the severe visitation of Providence. We stated in our last, that Lady Romilly died at the house of Mr. Nash, in the Isle of Wight, after an illness of near a twelvemonth, during which there were intervals of convalescence. Sir Samuel had suffered the most heart -rending agitation for some weeks, during which he was without the refreshment of natural sleep ; when all the delusive hopes he had entertained of her recovery were -withdrawn, by the visible approaches of the fatal mo ment. The agony of his sufferings occasioned the most alarming apprehensions to his friends; and his nephew, Dr. Roget, the Rev. Mr. Dumont, and Mrs. Nash, as - well as his own family, attended him with the utmost anxious solicitude. Tke event was not communicated to him till Friday morning, and it was thought proper to remove him from the scene the same day. He was brought to London by easy journies, where he arrived •on Saturday se'nnighi. His fever was most excruciat. ins ; but he manifested the most exemplary fortitude to conquer the despair which assailed.him. "My head (he exclaimed), is a furnace—l feel the violence of my disease —T may sink under it—my excellent ne phew is exhausted—pray call to his aid Dr. *Marcet." :Both Dr. Marcel and Dr. Babiugton did attend him ; and in the course of Sunday and of Sunday night a favourable perspiration gave the physicians hopes that his fever would abate. 'But; in a paroxysm he, on Monday, desired his daughter, who had been left in the :room with him, to call Dr. Roget ; and on her depar !tare. it appears, that he suddenly quitted hitubed, and in the delirium of his grief, put an end to his existence. %He was in his 60th year. On 'Tuesday morning an inquest was held at the 'Colonade public house,"Bernard-street, Russell-square, before Thomas Stirling, Esq. Coroner for • the county of Mildlesex, on the body•of the bove much lamented' :gentleman. The utmost anxiety lireiailed in the neigh. bourhood, and gloom pervaded every countenance.— The names of the persons summoned on the jury having • boon called over, and the members sworn, the Coroner proceeded to call the evidence C. Maybrey, surgeon, residing in Great Russell-street, de posed. that on the td instant, at two o'clock in the afternoon, lir was sent fer to attend the.deceesed, whose complaint, be., was given to 'understand by the messenger, was an internal hemorrhage. OW entering the bed chamber, be found Dr. Bisect leaning over the deceased, who was on the floor; the 313% anis were supporting him. The deceased held in one •Ilrand a sheet of 'paper, and a pen in the •other, and appeared milting an attempt to write. The hemorrhage from the 'wound loud ceased, and likewise pnlsation ; but a slight vi hi *lion was perceptible in the region of the heart. The witness examined the incision, which was on the throat, and • I found it very "deep, from which, and the considerable Bow of blood, witness was of opinion death ensued. A French gentleman (Mr. Dumont) here begged to inter rupt the deposition, and, addressing himself to the Coroner, stated, that belied just received a note, which it was mate. terial should be instantly attended to. lie handed it to the ' Curoiler ' who read it to the jury. It was hastily written, in Yseageh, by Mr. 'Brougham, dated St. shuites's-square, entreat * W. Dumont instautlyto come to hinhas lie (Mr. Brougham) 4 pas linable to leave his room; but it was of the utmost and most pressing importance that 'he should communicate with sr. Dumont before the inquest should be proceeded in. The latter gentleman stated himself to have been upon terms of thestrictest intiniacy with the deceased, and begged he might have time •allowed him to attend to the solicitation of Mr. Brougham. The Coroner recommended Mi. Dumont to nse all possible expedition iii visiting Ma. Brougham, and °beery. that in his absence they could continue the examination of the intermediate witnesses. The above•witness (Surgeon Maybrey), io continuation, said, that thefts was a great quantity of blood on the floor, and *portion 4f. it , ittea• belga. 'rho wound appeared to have been. Inflicted settles sharp instrument. There was a bloody • razor lying.by , liiir side. This witness pulled from his pocket the sheea.af l paper, which he deposed as that held by the deceaald. tli...was. in different places smeared with blood. At the sight 6: it, a start of distressing horror pervaded the inquest chamber. The paper was blotted with ink ; the words Sir, miss's., or wishes might be. traced ; but so Illegibly, that much doubt prevailed as to the correct indieation of the cha racters so construed. The remaining marks ad the pen were feebly traced, and might be compared to those an infant would produce for its amusement. John Knox, surgeon, residing 6.5, Great Ho eiell.street, de posed, that he was sent for to the residence of gIC deceased at half past two o'clock, p.m. Mr. Maybrey, the former witness, had previously arrived. On witness's entrance into time bedchamber, he found the deceased lyiog on his back on -the floor. He examined the body, and found a large wi d in the upper part of the throat, which had completeiy sev e red the wind pipe. The blood had then ceased to flow, as also eircnlat ten in the wrist: respiration continued in an imperfect elate until three o'clock. Witness was olopinion that deceas ed's death was occasioned by loss of blood, and the obstrue seem of breathing, from the separation of the windpipe. cm.ich table quantity of blood was on the Boor, and some io a h,ssits ; a razor lay near Um deceased, stained with blond. _ Curoner.—Did he appear to have been sharing? Witness. —Judging from circumstances, I should conclude that he had left his bed to commit the deed. A wince was here read by the Coroner, signed Dr. Alex. Marcel, stating that such was the agony of mind of Ur. R.i set, from the melancholy tweet, that it wps impossible that emild attend the iqquest relative to th• death of his late 4a.t le. REGISTr prorealed from he RionelLeereet, rATIONAL The Coroner and Jury then room to the residenci• of the deceased, in the purpose of viewing the body. [Upon the arrival of the Jury at the house of the deeeased, a considerable anxiety was manifested to gain admittance to view the body. Some of the reporters, of course, wereninong the numhsr ; but the Coroner prevented the intru sion, by threatening to commit any person who entered, except the Jury.] Thomas Bowen said lie was footman to Sir Samuel "Romilly. He did not see his master from the middle of August last, until Sunday afternoon, when he arrived in town from the Isle of Wight. He looked well, and appeared is good health .at the time ; much better than could have been expected, from the domestic affliction which had taken .place, and bearing that be hail been unwell. Soon after he came in, he lay down ' on the sofa in the library, which was between four and five o'clock. Witness heard that the deceased was unwell from the loss of Lady Hominy, whomlied on Thursday night previous she had been unwell fur a long time, and had a son and six daughters ; the eldest, the boy, was about 20 years of age the youngest, a girl, between eight and nine. Sir Samuel appeared always exceedingly happy in his family ; but the niultiplicity of his avocations prevented his being much with them ;he had scarce any time for enjoyment. Witness did not attend him on Monday meriting, but he knew lie was in disposed and confined to his lied; when well, his general hour of rising was 6 o'clock, and of going to bed, 11. Min Ho miny, Mr. William Hominy, Dr. Roget, and Mrs. Davis (sister of Lady Hominy), were in the house on Monday morn. ing, es were also some of the servants ( part being in she coml. try) ;ha cosildnot tell who it was that attended-Sir Samuel in his bedroom with his breakfast on that morning. Witness about 1 o'clock beard a noise, like somebody falling on the floor, up two pair of stairs, and went up to ascertain the cause. The bed room door of his master was open, and Dr. Roget was standing outside; witness was about to enter, and saw Sir Samuel (as be thought) coming towards the door, in the act of driving the Doctor out. It appeared, however, it was to ..keep him out, for he raised both his hands and fastened the door.; he was then bleeding profusely. Witness did not then observe any instrument he his hand. The door was in stantly boat open, and Sir Samuel was found leaning over the wash hi nd stand, his throat being cut, and the blood flowing froaktim profusely; a shirt and a blanket were about him; he was quite speechless, lint he made several signs with his hand's he was given a Sheet of paper, and pen and ink. Previous to entering the roossi & Dr. Roget told witness that the deceased bad cut his throat. 'gnu Hominy, previous to the fatal act committed by the deceased, had been with him in the room, box he sent her down to the drawing room, desiring to see Dr. Hugel. It was during this interval he cut his throat. He kept a ease of razors, in the ordinary way, in his room. There were two beds in his room, in one of which Dr. Reget.slept. Witness asked the Doctor Wile saw the deceased do the deed; and he replied, that he thought, upon going into the room when sent for, lie was just throwing away the razor after inflicting the wound. Witness assisted his master, together with Dr. ltoget, until Mr. Maybrey, the surgeon, arrived,. Mr. Stephen Esuniont, of Geneva, stated, that he was one of the Representatives of the Council at Geneva, but bad beau in England previous to the restoration. I have (lie said) been connected with Sir Samuel Romilly a great many years; my latesition was to have spent the summer with my best friend, Sir Samuel, and his lady ; but the state of Lady Hominy's health was such that she was removed to Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. [Here the witness, in great anguish, said it would be better that be should read the letters he had then received front Sir Samuel. A letter was then read from Sir Samuel, dated from Cowes, 27th Sept. inviting Mr. Dtimont to visit him there ; saying, that he could not promise him any plea sure, as he considered Lady Romilly in a very perilous state,. as the physicians did not say she was out of danger, and con cluded thus : " She is considered by her medical attendants in souse danger.— She is for the preseat a little better, and I take care neither to let her nor the poor children see the anxiety I feel, but it costs me a great deal ; with all this, do not suppose I have not resolution to undergo every thing to preserve my health for my children's sake." This letter was fqllowed by two others, informing Mr. Du- mont of the state of Lady Hominy's health. And he then resumed his evidence as follows :-1 arrived in the Isle of Wight on the ..11d of October, and Lady Hominy was well enough to spend a few hours in compauy ; but Sir Samuel seemed to have no confidence, and notwithstanding that re covery lie was in the same state of anxiety. Lady Romilly had a relapse, and was for some days in a great •state of suffering. During that time nothing could equal the ex. eructating pains of Sir Samuel, but his fortitude and re signation. He was almost entirely deprived of sleep, and I saw he began to entertain the greatest apprehensions from that circumstance. Twice or three times he has cx p dto sue his fears of mental derangement. Once he sent for me in the middle of the night, at least two o'clock in the morning, and spoke to me of it dream he had full of horrors, and said that an impression had remained upon his mind as if the dream had been a reality. He asked me if I did not consider that as a proof that his mina was broken, and his faculties impaired. Conversations about his children generally restored a certain degree of peace to his mind, and sometimes he proposed plasm for their education and future establishment. On Thursday the 29th of October, about 10 o'clock, while at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, he. was informed by his nephew, Dr. Roger, for whom lie always showed the semis attachment as fur one of his sons, that his lady was no more. I have omitted to say that the two sisters of Lady Hominy came on the Tuesday preview, and he said lie could shed no tears when he saw them. He told me his brains were burning hot. He left Cowes with great relactancg time next day (Friday), but he declared that he would be governed esitirel) by Dr. Roget and his friends. I accom panied hint, and un Friday we slept at Winchester. He felt extremely exhausted. Dr. Roget slept in the same room, and Sir Sa 1111 l ers night was extremely restless. The next morning I observed marks of great agitation, which he tried to subdue : he was constantly tearing his gloves, or the palm of his hand, scratching his fingers and his nose, and some blood Caine from his nose. When we arrived at 411 inn mi the toad, he was so weak that lie could proceed no further. We slept theme, and Dr. Roget still slept in the same room with hams. I had proposed to him not to come to Russell-square, but so take some other 11011. e fur the present. He answered, that he was likely to be laid up for some time, and he wee desirous of getting home. and he proceeded ; but I observed more violent signs of agitation still, nun e tearing of his hands and of his nose. In a moment that lie was shutting his eve , and wringing his hands, I took the hand of his daughter and placed it io his hand , ounn"hick, uprising his eyes, and slaving perceived e hat I had done, lie east npoo me 411 invite. ' fur NOV 9 utterable look of gratitude. and embraced his daughter.— Wheu we arrived in Russellssquare, he made great efforts to compose himself, and went to his library, mid threw himself upon a sofa, quite in a manner that was alarming to me ; them for some moments he was joining his hands, as.ln a state of delirium, but he spoke nothing. A moment after he got up s took my arm, went round the two rooms, and appeared to be in a state of a man dying of an internal wooed. One or two hours after, he desired to ace Dr. Marcel, saying his nephew, Dr. Roget, suffered too nineh, and that he would -give him the coinfort of some medical 'friend's assistance. He wanted to consult him, particularly about a shower bath, thinking that would relieve the heatof his head; still be de clared he had no head ache. I have nothing more to say upon that subject. After Dr. Marcet (it was Sunday when we arrived in town, about fiveeftclock) arrived, he would not quit him the whole night. but slept in the room; i slept in a room above him. About seven in the morning (Monday) Dr. Roget came to one in a case of extreme anxiety, telling the that his uncle was mitelyworse, with a violent fever, uttering some expressions in a state of perturbation, and complaining that he .was distracted. 'Dr. Roget immediately called Dr. Marcet, who came instantly, and they sent fur Dr. Babington to join in a consultation. I asked Dr. Marcel and Dr. Roget if I ce tld gc and ice my friend. and they desired me not to de it, saying the greatest quiet was •necessary for him, and tint he was only to have one personae attend him in the room.— I went then to Holland-house,ootiensMoon, to its his three youngest children, whom Lord Holland had taken from school to his house, and to make some arrangement with repeet to them. When I returned to Russell-s q uare about half-past three, I found one of his servants in tears, and De. Roget is a state approaching to despair. Aly first feeling was stupor and astonishment, for I had ever, during the whole month that I had passed with Sir Samuel, and dining most constantly with him and his son—and during the time the ladies were employed in business (during which time we had intimate conversations)—l never had any apprehension of the act by which he had lost his life. The intimate knowledge that had of his high pi inciples of duty—of his moral and religious fortitude—of his love for his country—and of his—(muels of fected)—of his parental affection, totally excluded from my mind every suspicion or idea of the catastrophe that has happened. Coroner.—•l dare say the Gentlemen are fully impressed with the state of Sir Samuel Romilly's mind. from ahe very clear evidence you have given, Sir. Indeed, it is impossible to conceive that a great mind like his could be directed by any thing but the immense weight of affliction which appeals to have oppressed him. The circumstance of a mind like his, resting fur so great a length of time upon the same melancholy sobject, was sufficient, and likely to occasion mental derange , meat; and it is likely produced an inflammation on the brat% which led to the deplorable catastrophe ; but we shall hear this from the medical gentlemen. Alexander Marcet, of 23, Russell-square, 'Doctor of Medi cine, said, he was in habits of intimacy with Sir Simnel Ho miny, but did not attend him professionally. On Sunday evening, about half past nine o'clock, he went to his house to see his nephew, Dr. Roget; Sir Samuel was sitting in the parlour with his family, and witness entered into couversation with him chant his health. He complained of all extreme degree of lassitude, particularly about the extremities, where lie suffered frequent and severe muscular pains. No attitude afforded him any comfort, and he sat in his chair in a state of great agitation. Although he retrained lions describing the anguish of his mind, or giving vent to his feelings, it was obvious from his manner, as well as what he uttered, that he despaired of his recovery, in spite of all that was said to inspire him with hope and comfort. Various steps were recommended in order to allay his extreme state of irritation, but he objected to all.in succession. He ultimately iusisteil on being allowed to go to bed, without making an attempt to produce relief, upon the ground that be felt he must have a wretched nights and that if he were tootle medicine, it would only have the effect of taking away all-confidence from his medical friends. Next morning, witness attended the deceas ed, with Doctors Roget and Rabington ; lie found him con siderably altered—his skin, which the night before was quite dry, was then bedewed with moisture. His mind appeared much better, and lie seemed more free from bodily agitation. He was remarkably concise in his answers to all questions, and attest.] oothing from whence any thing very unfavourable could be deduced as to the state of his mind. On the cow• teary, from all that wituess.and the other medical gentlemen could learn, it was evident that there had been increased and violent agitation of the body in the night. From the tranquillity of mind lie appeared to enjoy in the early part of the night, Dr. Roget thought he had had sonic hours of sleep, but upon inquiry, the deceased himself declared he had none. Witness thought it was impossible to say to what consequences sucla-a state as that in whirs:i lie had found Sir Samuel might Imam men; but knowing him so well, and relying with such firmness upon his mind, he never could foresee the,probability of the deceased being led to the commission of such an ae• ; Such a catestropheatever occurred to his mind, hut be neves theism contemplated.the symptomof his disorder with great alarm. William nishingtoo, 411. D. of Ablermanintry, said he ma sent for to attend at the home of Sir Samuel Rotnilly, in con sequence of au urgent Note he had received flout Dr. Y He arrived between 10 and 11 o'clock. .Previon%ly going top to the room of Sir S. Itomilly, Ise had learns Drs. Marcel and Roget all that had antecedently ocef his visit was therefore short, and he found him its‘a si corresponding exactly with the account he .11411 krill. had, however, a few qnestiona to ask Sir Saviviel, and lie answered with pee lee! distinctness, although he ar thoughtful and reserved. He expressed to him his that from the ehmige which had taken place in his sit more especially the apparent quietude lie had enjoyei. night, and the perspiration he was under, that lie wont cover. He hoped a still further impievenient non' manitisted in the evening, when they would again vist Wiwi. s lied applied his mind to a coniiiilorationoihetl circumstances of Sir Sautes .1 Itimiill3 health and the I his family —of his wife's disease, and the anguish thi I —his broken rest —his own health awl feverish at getter with 411 that had been related to hint in the hos his ft iCIIII3 and relations, would lead to derang e m e nt was of opinion th a t, under all these sufferings, he must been in a vale of mental distraction. The Coroner !mimed up the evidence, and put it Jury to say whether the evidence they hail heard sufficiently strung to convince them that the deLease , have been in a state of mental dermoge•meist at the ti committed the fatal act, which ter mud his valualsli The Jury, retarao.l toe rollowii diet : —" We are imaati 000000 opinion that the dci eat he, throat while ha a state of menial tempoix angeateal." llareet. ly to his Ilf d from Crowed ; situation ird. He eid those appeared Is hopes, pitnation, ed in the ould re- mild be visit him. ether the e stale of his gave slate,tt- muse, by .lit ; and oat hare it to the W:l4 not red most time it.: Ile life ? jug ver— Iceettseti .try de•