The National Register. — London, England, 1818-11-08 00:00:00

"4 . - - LAME NTA BLE DEA i_lk!F Soli 5.%03112L1Y. The melAncholy event which we have this 'day to an nounce will fill every part of the kingdom with mourn ing—and nut only of the kingdom, but every part of the enlightened world, where a just reverence fur the cause of' civil and religious liberty rendered its most distinguished advocate dear to the hearts of the liberal 'and humane. Sir Samuel Romilly, distracted by tilt; 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 Wright, 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was 'without the refreshment of natural sleep ; when all the • delusive hopes he had entertained of her recovery were I withdrawn, by the visible approaches of the fatal mo •ment.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. Rapt, the Rev. Mr. Dumont, and Mrs. Nash, as well as his own family,' attended him with the utmost' anxious solicitude. The event was nit communicated -to him till Friday morning, and it was thought proper to remove him from the scene the same day. He was brought to . I.rialon by easy journies, where he arrived on Saturday se'nnight. Ills fever was most excruriet `-ing ; but he manifested the most exe:nplary fortitude 'to conquer the de-pair which assailed him. "My head . .(he exclaimed), is a furnace—l • feel the violence df my disease I may sink under it—my excellent ne phew is exhausted--prey call to his aid Dr. Mareet."• :Bath Dr. Marcel anal Dr. Babington did attend him ; : and in the course of Sunday and of Sunday night a favourable perspiration gave the physicians hopes that his fever world abate. But, in a paroxysm he, on Monday, desired his daughter, wile had been left in the • room with him, to call Dr. Roget ; and on her (leper 'tire, it appears, that he suddenly quitted his bed, end - ; in the delirium of his grief, put an end to his existence. Ile was in his 68 th wear. On Tuesday morning an inquest was held at the •Colonade public house, -- Bernard-street, Russell-square, '-hefore Thomas Stirling, Esq. Coroner for the county of Mlidlesex, on the body of the above much lamented .• gentleman. The utmost anxiety prevailed in the neigh ' Nunhood, and gloum pervaded every countenance.— The names of the persons summoned en the jury having 'been called over, and the members sworn, the Coroner proceeded to call the evidence. C. Misylorry, surgeon, residing in Great Russell street, de posed, that on the 2tl instant, at two o'clock iii the afternoon, he was sent fur to attend the deceased, whose complaint, he was given to iinilesstand by the messenger, was an internal liemosrliage. t)si entering the bed chamber, he found Dr. Roget leaning over the dereased, who was on the floor; the servants were supporting him. The deceased held in one hand a sheet of paper, and a pen in the other, and appeared snaking an attempt to write. Toe hemorrhage from the wound bed ceased, and likewise pulsation ; but a slight vi bration was perceptible in the region of the heart. The witness examined the incision. which was on the throat, and found it very deep, from which!, anti the considerable flow of blood, witness was of opinion death ensued. A French gentleman (Mr. Dliniont) litre begged to inter rupt the deposition, and, 41(1as:sine!: himself to the Coroner, stated, that lie hail just received a note, which it was mate. terial should be instantly attended to. He handed it to the Coroner, who read it to the jury. It was hastily written, in French, by Mr. Brougham, dated St. James's-square, entreat. ing Mr. D ttttt ont instantly to come tohim.as lie (Mr. Brougham) was unable to leave his room ; but it was of the utmost and most pressing importance that he should communicate with Mr. Dumont before the inquest should be proceeded in. The latter gentleman stated himself to have been upon terms of the strictest intimacy with the deccaseil,und beggeuUie might have time allowed him to attend to the solicitation of Mr. Brougham. The Coroner recommended Mr. Dumont to use all possible expedition in visiting Mr. Brougham, and observ. eil, that in his absence they could continue the examination of the intermediate witnesses. The above witness (Surgeon Meybrey), in continuation, said, that there was a great quantity of blood on the floor, and a portion of it in a basin. The wound appeared to have been inflicted with a sharp. instrument. There was a bloody razor lying by his side. This witness pulled frum his pocket the sheet of paper, whirls he deposed as that held by the deceased. It was in different places smeared with blond. At the sight of it, a start of distressing horror pervaded the inquest chamber. The paper was Wittteil with ink ; the words Sir, witness, or sr iskes might be traced ; but so illegibly, that much doubt prevailed as to the cot n vet indication of' the cha racters so construed. The remaining mai ks of the pen were feebly traced, and might be compared to those au infant would produce fur its amusement. John Knox, surgeon, residing 65, Great Rnisell.street, de posed, that he was sent fur to the residence of lOse deceased at halt' past two o'clock, p. in. Mr. Maybrey, the former witness, had previously arrived. On witness's entrance into the bedchamber, he found the deceased lying on his back en the floor. He examined the body, and found a large wound in the upper part of the throat, which had completely severed the wind pipe. The blood had ills m ceased to flow, as also circulation in the wrist : respiration continued ill itll I:llperr, state until three o'clock. Witness was of opinion that deceas ed's death was OCelliiolll'd by loss of blood, and the mistime- Lou of breathing, 11111111 the separation of the windpipe. A considcralile quantity of blood was on the floor, and some in a basin; a razor lay near the deceased, stained with blood. Cowmen—DOl he appear to have been shaving? Witness. Ju laiug from cirmonstances, I should conclude that lie had heft its bed to commit the deed. A wince was here read by the Coroner, signed Dr. Alex. nit cid, stating that such was the agony of mind of tar. Ru get, (ruin the nu:Mtn:holy event, that it eras impossible that t o • could attend the Wiliest relative to the deata of his late. TrUP NATIONAL REGISTER The Coihner and Jury their proceeded Amu the inquest. room to the residency of the deconsed, in Russell-street, tar the purpose of viewing the body. • [Upon the art ival of the Jury at the house of the deceased, a considerable anxiety was manifested to gain admittance to view the body. Sonia of the reporters, of course, were among the number ; but the Coroner prevented the introsion, by threatening to commit any parson who entered, except the Jury.] Thomas Bowen said he was fontorm 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 in good health at tae time t much better than could have been expected, front the domestic affliction which had taken place, and hearing that he hail been unwell. Soon after lie 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 mswell from Ike loss of Ladyßotailly. wit° died on Thnrsday night p rev ions she had been nowt it for along time, and had a eon and sir daughters ; the eldest, the isoy, was about 29 years of age the youngest, a girl, between right and nine. Sir Samuel appeared always exceedingly happy in his family ; lout the moltiplicity of his avocatioes prevented his being much with them : he had scarce any time for eujoyment. Witness did not attend him on Manley month's, but he Anew he was in- • disposed and confined to his hell; when will, his general hour of rising was R o'clock, and of collie to bed, 11. Miss nrllly, Mr. William Rumilly, Dr. Roger, and Mrs. Dials (sister of Lady Ritually). were in the house on Monday morn. ing, as were also some of the servants (part being in the corn. try) ; lie could not tell who.it was that attended Sir Samuel in his bed room with his breakfast on that morning. Witness about 2 o'clock heard a noise,. like somebody falling on the floor, up two pair of stairs, and went tip to ascertain the cause. The bed room door of his master was open, and Dr. Roget was standing outside ; evilness was abort to enter. and saw Sir Samuel (as he thou ght) fooling inwards the door, in the act :)f driving the Doctor out. It ;wearer', however, it was to keep him out, for he raised both lies haiels and fastened the door ; he was then bleeding profusely. Witness did not . then observe any instrument in his hand. The door was hr stonily horst open, and Sir Samuel was found leaning over the wash hand stand, his throat being cut. and the blood Rowing from him profanely; a shirt and a blanket were about him ; he was quite speechless. but he made several signs with his hand ; he was given a sheet of paper, and pen and ink. Previous to entering the room, Dr. !loge' told witness that the •deceased had cut his throat. Miss nomilly, previous to the Coal art committed by the deceased, had been with him in the room, hot he sent her down to the drawing room, desiring to see Dr. Roger. It was dining this interval he cut his throat. He kept a case of razors, in the ordinaiy way, in his room. There were two beds in his room, ha one of which Dr. Roget slept Witness asked time Doctor if lie saw the deceased do the deed; and he replied, that he thong ht, upon going into the room when sent for, he was just throwing away the razor after indicting the wound. Witness assisted his master, together with Dr. Roget, until Mr. Maybtey, the surgeon, arrived. Mr. Stephen Dumont, of Geneva, stated, that he was one of the Representatives of the Council at Geneva, but had been in England previous to the restoration. I have the said) been connected with Sir Samuel Romilly a great many years; my intention was to base spent the summer with my best friend, Sir Samuel, and his lady ; but the state of Lady Ron - silly's health was such that she was removed to Cowes, in the Isle of Wight. [Here the witness, in great anguish, said it would he better that he should read the letters lie had then received from Sir Samuel. A letter was then rend from Sir Samuel, dated from Cowes, 27th Sept. inviting Mr. Dumont to visit hinr there ; saying, that he conid out promise him any plea spa as he considered Lady RonUlly in a very perilous slate, as the physicians did not say she was out of danger, and con cluded titles " She is considered by her medical attendants in some danger.— She is for the present 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 sdppose I have not resolution to undergo every thing to preserve my health for any children's rake." This letter was followed by two others, informing sir. Du 11101It 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 3d of October, and Lady komilly was well enough to spend a few hours in company ; but Sir Samuel seemed to have no confidence, and•notwitlsatsndiog that re covery he 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. cruciating pains of Sir Samar!, but his fortitude and re signation. He was almost entitely deprived of sleep, mad I saw he began to entertain the greatest apprehensions from that circumstance. Twice or three times be has ex pressed to me 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.a dream healed full of horrors, and said that an impression had rensaWled 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 mind was broken, and his faculties impaired. Conversations about his children generally restored a certain degree of peace to his miad,. and sometimes lie proposed plans 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. Ito get, for whom he always showed the same attachment as for one of his SOUS, that his lady was no more. I have omitted to say that the two sisters of Lady Roinilly came on the Tuesday previous, and he said lie could shed no tears when he saw them. lie told me his brains were burning hot. He lett Cowes with great reluctance the next day (Friday), but lie declared that he would be governed entirely las Dr. ltoget and his Isiends. I aecom palsied him, and en Friday we slept at Winchester. He felt extremely exhausted. Dr. ituget slept in the same room, and Sir Samuel's night Wass extremely restless. The next morning I observed marks of great agitation, which he tried to subdue : he was coustantly tearing his gloves, ur the palm of his hand, scratching his fingers and his nose, and some hiool./ CAMP from his nose. When we arrived at au hill sin the toad, he was so weak that he (mid proceed no further. We slept there, and Dr. IZeget still slept its the same rouse with him. I bait proposed to hint not to come to Russel -square, but to take some ollh:r house-fur the present. lie answered, that he wis likely to be laid up for seine time, and he was desirous of getting home, alit! lie proceeded ; but I observed more violent signs of agitation still, more tearing of his hands and of ills Hose. In a moment that lie was shutting his eye) and wringing his hands, I took the hand of his daughter and placed it is) his band ; upon which, opening Ins eyes, and Having yerceivcd what I had done, he cast upon we. an un- NOV 8 - - utterable look of gratitude, and embraced 130 daughter. When we arrived in' Rowell-x(OmA. he be great efforts compose himself, and went to Lti.rary, ere tlirew Itimsl4 upon a sofa, pate in a manner that was Mat rairlatlosa ; then ter some monitaits he was joining his hands, Xl' II a state of delirium, but he spoke nothing. it moment atter he got tip, took my arm, we'd round the two TIMM., and appealed to be in a state of a man dying of an Mita Ilia ‘A 0111111. Ono Or two hours after, he desired to see Dr. !Marcel, saying his neplie.m. Dr. Koget, suffered too .... and that he would give him the comfort of mime medical le iend's assistance. Re wanted to consult I • , parti sidarly about a shower teals, thinking that would relieve the heat of his head; still he de dared he lied no head ache. I have epthfug more to say upon that subject. After Dr. Mai eet (it was Sunday when we arrived.its town, about five o'clock 1 arrived, he would n,t filth him the whole night. but sleet in the room ; I slept In a room above him. About seven in Site morning (Monday) )Ur. Roect came to me in a Case' •f extreme anxiety, telling ire that his uncle was itstwli worse, with a violent fever , utterieg sonic expressions is: a state of pertntbation, and complahili..; that he was distracted. Dr. Roget immee.ialtly called Dr. Nlarcet, who came instantly, and they sent for Dr. Babiligtots to join in a consultation. I asked Dr. Mat cet aid Dr. Roget if I could go and see my friend, and they desired me not to do it, stay Mg the greatest quiet was riecessaiy•::ar teen, and that . • be was only to have one person to attend him le the I went then to I billaitil-lionse, at Keitsinetoe; to ace his thirst- • ' ,otingest children, whom Lord Holland had 'el v en front Khool to his {west, and to make some terrain/amen' with repect to them. Wiwi' 1 reteu•ned to Rueter-spout) about half past .• • • three, I them! rue of Ids screams in tears, and De. Roget iu It MAW UpprOite4liTlT: to despair. • My first recline was stupor and astoptislimentjor I had ever, dining the whole month that I had !weed with Sir Samuel, and dining most constantly a ith him and his son—and dnrine the time the ladies were employed in business (during echicli time we had intimate conversations)—l never had any apprehension of the act by which he had 1041 his life. The intimate knowledge that had of his high pi inciples of duly—of hie moral and religious fortitude—of his love for his country—and of hie--(ustieleaf.. fected)--of his parental affection, totally excluded from toy mind every suspicion or idea of the catastrophe that 1143 happened. Coroner.—l flare say the Oentlemeo are fully iiitpressed with the slate of Sir Samuel Rouallly's mind. f the very dear evidence you have given, Sir. Indeed, it is impossible to conceive that a great mind like his could be tines-led by any thing but the immense weight of affliction which appeals to have oppressed him. The cireunistance of a mind like his, resting fur so great a length of time upon the saute melancholy subject, was sufficient, and likely to occasion mental derange ment ; and it is likely prod teed an itiffirminatilm on the brain, which led to the deplorable calastroplie : hut we shall hear this from the medical gentlemen. Al:mender Nlarcet, of 23, Russell-square, Dodo:. of Medi cine, said, tie was in habits of intimacy with Sir Samuel Ito inlay, but did not attend him professionally. On Sunday evening, ahntit hell past eine ,'cluck , he went to his house to see his nephew, Dr. [toed: Sir Mantel was sitting in the parlmar with his family, and witness entered iiito couverSation with him about his health. He complained of an extreme degree of lassitude, pm:nodally almot the extremities, where he endured fieiptent end severe muscular pains. No attitnde atiordea him soy cointiwt, and he sat in his drair hi a state of great aviation. Although he retrained fiu-u describing the anguish of his naiad, or giving vent to his feelings. it - was uhv ions t'riiin his manlier, as well as what lientteased, t h at lie despaired of hit recovery, in spite of. all that seas said to inspire hen with hope and comfort. Vations steps were recommended in order to allay his extreme state of irritai ion, but he objected to all in sem-side:). He ultimately Wristlet on being allowed to go to bed, %visitant making an attempt to produce relief, aspon the ground Meet 1w felt be must have a wretched nits! ; and 11)41 if he were to use medicine, it would only have she effect of taking away all confidence from his medical friends. Next morning, witness attended the deceas ed, with Doctors Reget sod Ba all ; he fOllll4l iiilll COII• siderably altered—his skin, which The night before was quite dry, was then bedewed with moisture. His mind appeared much better, and he seemed more free from bodily agitation. He was remarkably concise in his answers to ell questions, and utterea nothing from whence any chili; very unfavourable could be deduced as to the state of his mind. On the eon trary, from all that witness and the other medical gentlemen could least', it was evident that tilde had been increased and violent agitation of the body in the night. From the tranquality of mind he appeased to enjoy in the early part of the night, Dr. Roget thought lie had hail-tome hours of sleep, but upon inquiry, the deceased himself declared he had none. Witness thought it was impossilitt• to say to what consequences such a stale as that in whica he had towel Sir Samuel 'night lead a malt ; but knowing him so n el!, and rt•iying w ink such firmness upon his mind, he never could foresee the,probability of the deceased being led to the commission of much all ai Such a catastrophe never occurred to Isis mind, lett lie never theless contemplated the syniptotaa of his disorder with great alarm. William Babington, M. D. of Alderinanlmry, said he was sent for to attend at the house of Sir sainuel Rornilly, in con sequence °fon urgent note he had received limn Dr. Marcet. He arrived between 10 and 11 o'clock. Previously to his going ep to the room of Sir S. Rornilly. he had learned from Drs. Mareet and Roger all that had antecedently occurred ; his visit was therefore short, and he found him in a situation corresponding exactly with the account he had heard. He had, however, a few question; to ask Sir Samuel, and those he answered with petite' distinctness, although he appeared thoughtful and reJerved. He expressed to him his hopes, that from the change which had taken place in his situation, more especially the apnarcur quieludr he had enjoyed in the night, and the perspii :aim& he was tinder, that he would re. cover. He hoped a still further improvement would he manifested in the evening, when they would again visit him. Witness had applied his miud to a consideration, whetter the circumstances of Sir Suttee l Hominy's health and the slate of his family—of his wifc's disease, and the anguish this case. broken rest —his own health and revel ish state, gether with all Gant had been rid tied to him in the house, by his fi jinn's ;111(1 relation*, would lead to derangement ; and ryas r,f opinion that, under all these sufferings, he must have been in a slate of mental distraction. The euroner summed up the evidence, and ,put it to tie Jury to Atly whether the evidence they had heard w•a.t not sufficiently Arum: to convince them that the deteas4ed mot have brrli in a state of menial derangement at the time lie committed the fatal act, which terminated 4:is valuable lilt'? 'flu Jury, without IteAitotiots, returned the re:lowing ver— dict :—' are isnaiiiltiota , iy opinion -that the decestmoi cat 1114 taroat while io a state of menial temporary du. raugement.'