The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-26 00:00:00

mAaamai.

1 , 1

if

The Lewes Brookside had aaavitalday last week, bei:ig the kit
o the season.
TATTERSALL S. Msncir 23.

Th*Subscription Room was wall atiended, but no business dome
ur oil a late hour, in consequence of a report that Reformer WIN
a.,,,i;5; some said that he had received swain in his near fore leg,
tams 'bat he had sprung a curb, and so on. This news was a
(ou:ix sisiming-to his backers, Reformer being the first favourite
for the it iddlesworth. as well as the Derby; however, between tour
• Reformer, for the Rid.
;n hundreds, by one
dispelled all fear.
its to high figures
JW:-
Don Carlos
; as before.

street ?

INQUEST ON SIR CEO. RALPH COLLIER, BART.

Yesterday afternoon, at five o'clock, Mr. Stirling, the Coroner,l,
and a Jury of the most respectable inhabitants of Fitzroy-square,
assembled at the Yorkshire Grey public-house, at the comer of .
Clipstone and Fitzroy streets, Fitzroy-square. to inquire into the
lamentable death of the above unfortunate gentleman.
The house where the Jury was impanneled is almost opposite,
that of the deceased's brother, where the sad catastrophe took plea
The blinds of the whole of the window. were drawn down, and the
knocker was muffled.
The Jury having been sworn, the following evidence was brought
forward :
Henry Berridge sworn.—l am servant to Thomas Collier, Esq.
of Na 4, Fitzroy-street, Fitzroy-square. A day or two ago a gals
tleman, a friend of my muter's, called and said he was afraid Sir
George was not well in health, and ha thought that he was not in
a sound state of mind. The deceased did not usually live with his
brother. After the gentleman had gone away, my master went to
the deceased at itidlodgings in Fludyer-street. I followed him, and
when we arrived there I thought Sir George was deranged. He
had previously lodged at Gordon's Hotel, In Albemarle.street but
had latterly removed to Fludyer.street. The deceased being in an
apparent state of insanity, my master prevailed on him to emu-
pany him home to his house In Fitsroy-nreet, where he diesel; an-
other person dined with them. The demised appeared very deal and
desponding, and talked very little. After dinner be tarok same
coffee, and retired to bed about eleven o'clock. During the
night he Ithe deemed) awoke and spoke sevael times ; his an.
sot altogether unusual end extraordinary, and he desired me, is
a peremptory tone, to destroy all his papers, and asked me
twice to procure him some water. I took him some, but he
did not drink it. The deceased asked me if I was. gewie is
bed ? I told him I was cot, but that I was there waiting ups.
him. About two o'clock the deceased stirred a little, and I went
to him, and discovered he had cat his throat. I immediately ran
up stairs, and called another person who was sleeping above, for
the purpose of attending Sir George, sod I instantly ran fee mo.
dial assistance, and a surgeon promptly attended ; Sir George
survived only a few minutes after he had arrived. Every thing
that could bedtime to save him was resorted to, but proved Apulia.
Mr. Thomas Collier, my master, slept in the adjoining TOM to
that of the deceased, and came the natant the sad intelligence was
communicated to him. The deceased was never before deranged ;
but it had been remarked by several naval and militaryoScers, that
he was strangely altered of late, and many declared it to be their
opinion that he was labouring under mental derangement. His
conduct had been much noticed at the United Service Club-house.
l am of opinion, that in consequence of the great agitation of mind
caused by the publication of a work, tolled Jessa a 11'e et
History, • passage of which went to throw a slur upon the eh*.
meter of Sir George, be became deranged, and I have no doubt
that ciraimsiance alone was the cause of the commission of the
dreadful act. The deceased's brother had a few days before ordered
his razors to be taken from that hotel where he resided, and I con-
sider he must have had one concealed about his penion, as the razor
with which he committed the horrid deed was found afterwards in a
bloody condition in the bed.
Corona—What was the reason you had for sitting up with Sir
George ?
Witnees—My master, not thinking it safe that he should be left
by himself, ordered me to sit up with him.
Cormier—Were you to sit up with him, or merely to sleep In the
same room ?
Witneaa—Merely to sleep in the room, and to administer certain
draughts prescribed by Dr. Sutherland.
Foreman of the Jury—Was there any precaution taken to pre-
velt the deceased destroying himself Was his clothes searched ?
Witness--His clothes were taken from him when he went to bed,
so that he must have concealed the razor.
soy medical gentleman attend him in Fludyer.
Witness—Yes ; Blr. Sutherland attended him there, and wrote a
prescription, part of which the deceased had taken, and the te-
easioder was to have been taken, had he survived, at two o'clock.
Foreman—Did the deceased :edentate after he had inflicted the
wound ?
Witness—No; he could not speak.
Vice-Admiral Sir Richard King, of Greet Cumberland-street,
sworn—l knew the deceased Sir George Ralph Collier and have
hoen acquainted with him for ten years. The last time I saw him
INS en Sunday last; he came to my house. There was • great dif-
ference in his behaviour; he evidently was labouring nsder great
agitation of mind. He appeared altogether different to what I had
hitherto seen him. I endeavoured to soothe him, and he told me
his mind was greatly injured by some aspersions that had been
published against his oaval character in James's History of Use
tale Naval War.

as a certain ocession. I saw he was greatly agitated, and froth
than memeat 1 predicted some fatal consequences, if measure,
were not taken to guard against them. We left the Admiralty to-
! gether ; he said he was unable to walk, and seemed desirous of
taking a coach. I persuaded him to walk to Piccadilly, and there
to take a coach. In walking up Hegent-street, he observed, that
some enemy had given Mr. Jams wrong information, and asked.
my opinion. as he suspected he knew the person, and w hether it
would not be right to call him out and shoot him through the head.
I said that would not ghee the statement in the book, and pointed
out a particular course. He said he disliked paper war. I tried to
change the conversation, but found him absent and silent. On the
following Tuesday, from what passed between him and Mr. Dyer,
I left the Admiralty to go to his lodgings, and on my way I met
Viscount Exmouth, to whom I intimated my belief that bir Geo.
Collier was actually insane. His Lordship said that Sir George
had made an extraordinary sod uncalled-for apology to him that
morning for his commenta on the preceding evening. I arrived at
his lodgings, and there informed them of my opinion, and begged
them to be on their guard, and to take cereal bun. I have known
the deceased thirty-live years as a moat exemplary officer on all
occasions. Such a charge as that may as well be placed against
the Immortal Nelson, or any other exalted character in the navy.
(A sensation of alt_planse in the room, which was crowded with
newel °Seen.) The Gallant Admiral said, if such attacks were
made on naval officers'.characerre, no man was safe, however great
he might be. The deceased was a man of undoubted bravery.
Colonel John Drialweler, sworn.—l have known Sir Geo. Col-
lier 23 years; six or eight years intimately ; but lam more inti-
mate with his brother,-Mr. Thos. Colier. On Saturday afternoon
I saw him at the United Service Club House, and he told me that
some scandalous and abominable publication, in which his cha-
racter was imp jested, had brought him to Landon; he was more
animated and spoke bolder than usual. I inquired after Lady Coll-
yet, and be said he left her very indifferent and much distressed, in
consequence of her having accidentally seen the letter which had
communicated to him the particulars contained in the publication ;
and upon a gentleman of his acquaintance commenting thereon. Sir
George was much agitated, so touch ao as to use strong and viol "‘t
expressions. His manners appeared so very extraorde se •
that I determined to follow him, to have some conversatior wit a
him, in which I flatter myself, I succeeded in bringing him to
more sober view of what he had to do. Lady Collier's knowledge
of the ben:lnes% appeared to me greatly to affect him. He told me
of his friendly and satisfactory interview with Sir G. Cockburn
,
and of his intended interview with Lord Melville. After he hail
sera his Lordship he said be should then knew what course to pur-
sue. We then separsted, all:clblave not seen him since. Colonel
Drinkwater begged to state uy, that Mr. Collier, the brother
to the dece sed, was extremely desirous that the world should un-
dertaod that every means were resorted to, that prudence or can.
Lion could dictate ; and as the %mama occurrences of our nature
shew that we are subject to mental aberrations, which per.
baps might daily occur, and shortly subside,. be therefore found
it necessary to proceed cautiously, as he did not wish his brother
for a moment to suppose that he was placed under the least re-
straint, or even that it was supposed such steps were necessary. To
shew the state of mind of the deceased, the gallant Colonel then
handed in the following document ; it was In the shape of a letter
written by Sir George Collier to Admiral Lake:—
"My dear Lake,—lf you are the same friend you once were,
and if friendship is not but a name, you may save my life, and
what's dearer to me—my honour—by giving me advice.
" Humbled,

" GEORGE COLLIER.
" I shall heat home all the evening ; I dine at 4. litmoy.atreet.
I bust Gordon's."

Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Gordon Higgins, Aid-de-Camp to
his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, sworn..—l have known
the deceased for 20 years intimately. On Friday evening I met
him at Gloucester House. His manner was as described by the'
preceding witnesses. He wished to have his Royal Highness a ad.
vice (respecting the attack by Mr. James,upon his character) whom
1:e always considered his warm and zealous friend, and was well
assured of the readiness the Duke always expressed to serve him,
at all times. His Royal Highness saw him in his library, and
advised him what course to take, which armed to appease him for
the moment. I saw him again oo the Saturday, when he appeared
more composed, and, pointing to a carpet hag, he said, " There
they are, and I thought I should have occasion to have made use of
them." On Monday forenoon he aunt again to Gloucester House,
at which time he appeared to be quite deranged. By his Royal
Highness's desire I conducted him to the library, and the Duke
endavoured to soothe him, and the deceased made three attempts
to leave hit presence. bat his Highness restrained him. On
coming out of the he'l he struck me on the shoulder, and said,
" Sir, the Duke of Gloucester has saved my life." The gallant
Cabinet then said, evidendy much affected, even to tears, that it
was the opinion of the navy that the country had lost the services
of a meat gallant and meritoriousoffiest ; and his opinion was that
a braver man never existed, and be was confident that Mr. Thos.
Collier had done every thing • fend bendier could do to secure the
future peace and happiness of the tlaussed.
Alexander Urquhart, Esq. of Suttee, Surrey, deposed to the
same effect.

Juror-I believe the pamage Sir George alluded to was pub-
lished to-day in the dady papers.
Admiral King-I really don't know; I Neste saw the book.
A gentleman said, the passage that bad been published was that
to which he alluded.
Juror-The moment I saw it, it occurred to me it was sufficient
so eases derangement in the mind of Sir George.
Ariesind King said he considered him quits insane; he never
saw Me brother, Mr. T. Collier, till this morning.
Jevor-Do you consider the climate that Sir George lately re.
turned from was calculated to produce derangement ?
Admbul It g-! don't know. It might; he was two years on
dui Aosem-Rtrium
ad
J ha eary wow& as du Ned P
Admiral King7Wlty, he bad wounds is every poet triklaubell
which he had received In these:vice. He was a men of
lags, and very sensitive. I never knew him to be
A gentleman who had served with Sir George here was
$ sits of very sensitive feeling and mind.
The Coroner repeated the question as to the wounds in tbelkead I
sieving, it was most likely to affect hie mind, aid received the
seem answer.
John Dyer. Esq. sworn-I am chief clerk at the Admiralty a
have knows the deceased these 30 years, and saw him thy tlio ,
time on Thursday lost; he came to me at my Wise and said be had
just then arrived from Exeter; be appsnlllll is his eativigniedbi
health, and on my asking him In a jambe sower what
him to town, be said he would take en egpntenity saq:
at a future period. On the following see mbps le nse
again and while in conversationsaid,ke ties ism MI Mtn t
the work above mentioned, which coandaeliteisetime es 11111aval
character. Sir Edward Hamilton was prises, trims Lad
ly named the offensive passage to him I Sill 13•Mie said be
told Lad y Collier that be was determined to ge te sews •
it ; he (Sir G.) had not been able to get a eepp et the but
expressed his anxiety to see it. 1, baring a espy of kby tap, took
down the Pith volume, and, on our reading the pomp whisk an-
noyed him, he appeared agitated and hurt ; the subject easuplained
of I believe is in the 647th page of the with. Sir Edward Nantil-
ton end myself endeavoured to reason him out of the irritation he
woe in ; the deceased appeared very sissies to knew when Lard
hlelville would be in town from Coombe Weed, where his Lard-
ship was on • visit to Lord LiverpooL I add Ids he woad he in
town on Tuesday. Sir Edward Hamilton and the demo' soon
after left the room, and on Saturday Sir George ems again,
about ten o'clock in die morning. He appeared maims to see
same of the Members of the Board, to ascertain if the publication
bed =deed any unpleasant feelings in them about him ; I endea-
voured to reason with him, but he was very desirous to see Sir
Omega Cockburn, who had not then arrived, and did not come for
as hoar. I advised Sir George to go with an officer to Mr. James,
and endeavour to have some conversation with him about it. The
deceased went to Sir George Cockburn's mom, and returned some
time after, saying that he had been received in a most kind manner
by Sir George Cockburn, who said that nothing any person could
say or write, would alter the high opinion be entertained of his
character and conduct as an officer. The deceased then append
anxious about my Lord Melville, and consulted with me, and I ad-
vised him to write to his Lordship, and to state in the letter what
his feelings were with respect to the publication. The letter was a
request that he would state his opinion of him, that he miekt la it
before his brother officers for their satisfaction, as his
el
had done in the case of Lord William Fituoy t he then retuns
me thanks for my kindness and attention to him, which be said
be never would never forget, and hoped would have an consortia-
nity of displaying his gratitude, alluding to a son I have in the
navy. He tbim promisW to at tend to my vice, and seemed soothed
and ealui. I did not me him again until Meaday, who then was
indeed a decided change, both in his manner and appearance. He
dame op to my chair, sad said, " Mr. Dyer, 1 eyes
I friendship, but that is passed." / tried to ddilitiC,lll" be
walked over the room hastily, and turning round, stamping on the
ground, he said, " I must see my wife, Lady Collier is in town."
I again tried to divert his attention, but could sot.
1 Conox e a -Did his conduct induce you to think he was insane?
Witness-Yea, Sir; so convinced was I oft, that I went out
of my room, and going up stairs, met Sir William Hors, and said
I have just seen Sir George Collier, who is evidentlderanged
from the attack of Mr. James upon him; Sir William Hope
expressed its regret. I then saw Sir George Cockburn, and he
also expressed his regret, end asked where be was? I informed
him he had just left my office, and he directed that he should be
shown to him on his again calling. I also informed Sir Edward
Hamilton, who went away, saying he would call at Gordon's
Hotel. I was so uneasy, from knowing his high sense of honour,
tioo o' the rim-wing morning, Tuesraiy, I came through Albs-
marle-strost, with the view of calling at the Hotel, but missed it.
a nso sem nun of Tuesday, and was shocked when I heard of the
dreadful catastrophe. I believe that almost every pert of his body
has been perforated. lie was an extremely gallant officer.
Juror-You consider the effect of the statement, or mis-states
anent, properly speaking, was the cause of bb insanity ?-Mast
undoubtedly I do.
The Conowen here said that evidently it must have dose so.
as Sir George had left Devonshire for the sole purpose of mutin •
the attack. When absent from those gentlemen who seethed
and calmed his mind, be was brooding upon it; and it amen
that his mi was continually in a state of spatial'.
Juror-1 may as well rake a naval officer's life m his honour.
Mr. Dyer xplained, that the affair alluded to in James's work
occurred du g the American war, in the escape of some frigates, i .
by getting the weather gage, and Capt. Sir George Collier's squad-
ron was lust in the fog at the time he was on Mud the Leander. Cot.r.r.cr toss or Picsuass.—The public attention has
He had previously challenged the enemy's ships to action, but they recently been called very particularly to the fine Collection, of Pie-
sheered off. This was merely a tworeenotitte with one of the Ju. tures that has brae on view at Robins's during the present week ;
rocs. and was not taken in evidence. and curiosity has been much excited in order to learn the name of
Mr. Stratford Alfred Eyre sworn-I am a surgeon; I was called the Nobleman who possesses so much tine taste as is manifested in
to the deceased, who I was told had cut hb throat. I found the the Selection of the past Pictures. It appears, however, that no
large vessels on the left side of the neck severed. Much surprise due will be given beyond a shrewd guess at the skill that must
was ermined as to how he could have done it, but on searching, a have presided what these purchases were made. It is almost invi-
tutor was found under his right hand, covered with blood, the in- dious to particularise; but, if we are not mistaken, the greatest
strument with 'Lich he &axed the fatal deed. competition will be found for the Pictures by Carmel, Guido,
Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Hamilton sworn.-On Saturday last Correegio. Murillo, Pomade, and Berghem. The Dukes of York
I saw Sir George Collier about two o'clock. I should say I had and Wellington, the Marquises of Hertford and Stafford. Sir
seen him on the preceding day. He said he had come to town from George Beaumont, the Borings, and a long list of distinguished
Exeter, in consequence of the publication of Mr. James; that he Patrons of the Fine Arta, have alrescly In ren their testimony to the
had nut seen it, but he understood it affected his character, foe good taste and judgment of the Noble Collector. The sale will be
allowing the American frigate Constitution to get away from him to-morrow.

The whole of the witnesses Mir* been examioed, the Coroner
and Jury repaired to the bourne W view the body, which was
stretched on the bed in the chamber on the second flour. The razor
lay close to the right hand, and a stream of blood denoted the side
of the neck where the fatal wound had been inflicted.
The Coito3rEit briefly addsmaged tea Jurjr, remarking, that in.
Jed douses • rr etweiht daft sistrifilirese effects such attacks tress
calculated to have on minds sp peci}larly sensitive. The details of
it, although peculiarly interesting, presented clear and distinct
moors at insanity ; and the Jury. Ise was confident, must coma to
that =elision.

The Jury unanimously returned their verdiet--" That the de.
ceased, captain Sir George Ralph Collier. C.B. R.N. put a
period to his existence whilst in a state tsaiporsry deraagement."
The Inquest was then dissolved.

• er, '
aid five o'clink, an lifter of 3; to I agatnst It omier, for the Rid
is tatworth, was made, and as quickly accepted, in hundreds, by on
if tt.e hest going on the turf, and which event dispelled all feat
Betting then Decant• brisk. and many engagements to high figure
were made on the different hnr,es, at odds, as below :
; 1111012LESIVORTII.
3 'o 3 sot Prudence 6 to I art Clones:los
7 to .1 sgst Reformer (ta'ten) The others as before.
t. to I agat Quadrille
DERII7.
t. in I apt Ile(rrmer
14 to 1 kris Jesse
7 t, I apt Banshee 16 to 1 ago Reticule
111 :1 111.' to 1 awn Agnes
as
I.: tot 1 agst Elephant The others nearly beforst
No alterations other on the aka or St. Leger since blonds'
List were. aotice.