The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-21 00:00:00

ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.

A few days ago a young gentleman of the name of Edward W.
attempted to put a period to his existence under the following
affecting circumstances :
oic It appeared that Mr. W. had for a considerable p • . paid his
addresses to a young lady, the only daughter of a m spectable
tradesman at the west end of the town. although agar ssikhe con-
sent oldie parents. 'At length it came to the ears of 31 r. WV. that
another gentleman was selected by the parents as the future husband
of the object of his attachment, in support of which rumour he
received a letter from the young lady, stating in the most affectionate
terms her parents' selection, and strongly urging him, as
their union could never take pate,. to banish her trout his
thoughts, as aim was determined neem to marry against
the inclination of her parents. ljpoh tectipt of this let.
ter, Mr. W. lost no time in gainifig an int with the fair
object, when, with the most persuasive I her to
become his in defiance of her parents' mandate, • bout
her, happiness would ever be a stranger to him. Theirs)
having listened with the greatest agitation of feeling, oh
that notwithstanding he possessed her bean, she could not act with
such ingratitude, as she was convinced mach a line of conduct would
embitter her remaining years, and she therefore conjured him to
forget her. Mr. W. itntnediately left the room, vowing be would
never live a life of wretchedness, and leaving the young lady in the
greatest apprehension for his safety. He proceeded told, lodgings
in the New.road, having previously provided himself with a powder.
which he mixed with water, and swallowed: this was no sooner
done than the unhappy youth was seined with violent consul.
miens, and the most racking torture of the intestines. The land-
lady suspecting the truth, from the wildness of his appearance on
entering the house, she immediately sent for medical assistance,
which soon arrived, and on examining the remnant in the glass. it
unfound that the unhappy sufferer had taken poison. The surgeon
directly administered various antidotes, fur a considerable time with-
out effect, and little hopes were entertained foe his life; however, by
the most powerful emetics the drugs were dialodgml. Restoratives
were then introduced, Ina from the debility produced by the rapid
action of the poison, a complete recovery is extremely doubtful. Ur.
W. is constantly attended by the object of his affection. and it is
presumed should he recover, that this unfortunate catastrophe may
be the cause of a reconciliation, and that by the parents' consent to
a union, happiness may yet be the portion of the young couple.
as it is proved, on inquiry, that Mr. W. is of the greatest re-
spectability.

Cc:outwit. Etraox.—On the 17th inst., an Inquest was
held on the body of Colonel Ensor. Ile was found
dead in his bed, at his lodgings, in Kingstown. He has
been observed lately of a melancholy turn of mind, and
was of apoplectic make and constitution.—Dublin raper.
There is now living at Winslow, Buckinghamshire, •
man whose name is %Villiant Ovitts. He was the second
person who enlisted into Elliott's regiment of light dra-
goons, raised in the year 1758, and is now, and has been
for some considerable time, the only survivor of that regi-
ment, as originally formed. This man is known to have
been an excellent and brave soldier while be served in that
regiment, from which he received his discharge about 30
years since. In the battle of Freyburgh, which took place
near the conclusion of the seven years' war, when the then
Hereditary Prince of Brunswick was attempted to be car-
ried off' the field a prisoner, by two French dragoons and a
foot soldier, Ovitts, single-handed, galloped after them,
killed the three French soldiers and rescued the Prince.
In this gallant exploit he was badly wounded ; the Prince
took him to his quarters, had hint carefully attended until
his wounds were healed, gave him a purse of a hundred
guineas, and recommended him for promotion ; the latter
he modestly declined, on account of his education and
habits being such as were not suited to any rank above
that of a private soldier. This man, now above ninety
years of age, with those infirmities and wants which are
usually attendant upon so advanced a period of life, is
obliged to take refuge in, and submit to the privutions of, a
parish workhouse.