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

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 thought) 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

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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 'elven 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, that 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.'

NOV. 8'

We undo:icon.' from one of the juror:., that the body lay
lu the mAimer described by the so v.int ; it w.ei exit oiled ai
it fen float Dr. Kozel, rind' nearly covered with Mead. A
!wet and blanket were over it, and the rarmi ma: lying' at
ti:e feet of the enriete. The fare wai so lunch siiniti n, that
Lis nioNt intimate riitintli would scarcely have knaw I. it to he
that vt'Sir Sentinel.

The following anecdote of this most revered and lainnuteil
watt. has come tic its fleet is!verv. respectable quarter. %Vt.
Rive it publicity with the more pleasure, that it not only tends
illustrateto the mournful circumstances hilt death, but casts
al alerting and ennobling fight on the moral excellencies of
his elfaracter, it wilt, perhaps, be asked, what anecdote of
his life would not tend to make his memory more esteemed,
and lilt lass mule egretted lie commenced his career at
ti:e Bar, a young man, liberally educated, with those high
principles of honour, and that susreptibility of amiable mid
generous seociment, which distinguished his life, but without
paternal Airtime, and, still more, with both his parents de-
pendent upon his professional suecess. In this he
became acquainted with :1 von Ilif Lady, the charms of si horse
mind and person won his affections. His vondoet Wll4 UOl lily
Of his head and his Meant. He declared Ins sentiments lo tits
object of his affections ; butt added, that he must " acquire
two fortunes" before they could be married ; the first for
Nose to whom he owed his first duty—his parents ; the second
fur her. 'flit, Lady knew how to appreciate his merit acid
his motives, and their vows were mutually pledged to each
other. lie entered upon his rat err of profit 111)(1 humour with
that dAildilllltt energy whirl' rosins a chief feature of genuine
talent. Is. il comparatively short period he ucale:ed a consi-
derable sum, and with it purchased an minitity for his parents.
flaying put them in possessiou of this provision for their
lives, he formally declared to them, that his obligations to
them were now fulfilled, and he was about to enter into other
relations, which most exclusively govern him in their turn.—
lie began a second time with fresh spirit—acquired " a se.
swirl fortune"—all within a very tow years—settled it num)
her on whom he haul bestowed his heart, and married her.—
To lose Lady Roundly after a❑ attachment so funned, and
after years flown assay in tranquillity of domestic joy, die.
torbeil uuly by the splendid pursuits of ambit:on, synoninnius
with virtue, was one of those shocks which must be left, nude •
fined, to the imagination of such as know what it is to feel.
History will say of Sir Samuel Roundly, that he died uncor.
ruined by wealth—undaaxled Icy rank—unblemished by 4111-
bition—utivulguised by popularity—admired by his &dyes.
sartes—and even unvilitied by the base. His place at the
Bar—in the Seuate—iu the country, is vacant, and it will
remain so.

We understand, that when Mr. Maybrey, the surgeon, en-
tered thermal', Sir Samuel was still alive, and looked earnestly
at Mr. May brey ; and after the lapse of a few minutes, his
eyes grew dim, he fainted away, and expired. It was after
he did the fatal act, that he expressed a %Vialt to write a let.
ter; and the sheet of paper, and pen and ink, woe given to
him by his attendant.