The National Register.
London, England, 1818-01-12 00:00:00

MELANCHOLY EVENT.—The tranquillity of a family
of respectability, near Manchester-square, a few days
since experienced interruption by an attempt of one of
its members to put an end to her existence, and by the
sudden disappearance ofanoth er, a younggentlentan. The
young lady is a native of Lincolnshire, where her fa-
ther was an opulent laudholder.—About eight years
ago she had the wi•fortuns to lose both her parents
within a few weeks of each other: she was then 15
years of age, and her aunt, a widow lady, took her to
her house. The only son of her aunt at that time re-
turned from Ireland, and an attachment was soon per-
ceptible between them. This was sanctioned by the
mother, and they were about to be united, when the
snatch was broken off by an uncle of the young gen-
tleman, from whom he had considerable expectations.
The intended bridegroom, almost distracted, purchased
a commission in the army, and remained abroad until
after the battle of Waterloo. His attachment conti-
nued, and they only waited far some favourable event
to bring about their union. The uncle, however,
continued inexorable; but this obstacle was about
three months ago removed by his death. By this
event considerable property devolved to the young gen-
tleman, and his marriage was to take place at us early
a period as decency would permit. This however, was
suddenly stopped by the young gentleman himself,
who, to his mother declared that circumstances had
arisen which rendered a marriage with his cousin ut-
terly impossible ; but the urgent entreaties of his mother
failed to draw from him the cause of this extraordinary
change. He could only say, that such 4 change had
actually taken place; anti desirsd that his sousin might
be made acquainted with it. His mother disclosed this
in the most cautious manner ; bat it had such an effect
upon her niece, as for several hours to deprive her of
sense. She continued in a desponding state until Fri-
day wee!:, when the aunt, fearing, from the length of
time her niece remained absent, that she was worse,
proceeded to her rot .1,, and found her suspended from
one of the bed posts. Harrowed as her theling,s were
she had tirmners sufficient. to catch her niece in her arms,
and hold her up until her cries brought others into the
room, and the young lady was cut down, and, by me-
dical aid, animation was restored. The unfortunate
girl has, however, since continued in a state the most
melancholy. On Monday last a letter was received by
the twopenny post from die young gentleman, express-
ing the deepest regret for the distress of which he had
been the cause. Ile concluded by stating his deter-
mination to quit the country for ever. Arrangements
had been male with the persons in whose hands the
greatest part of his prop erty is invested, for a regular
remivance of cash to a house at Paris. This informa-
tion, it is hoped, will lead to a discovery of his retreat
and be the means of restoring him to his distracted
parent and sisters.
• OPTIC u. Dec ElT.—The Public have been for some'
time amused with statements of a very extraordinary
faculty said to be pus tessed by Miss M'Avoy, of Liver.
pool, a young Lady who, it was stated. hail been blind
from her chilelhoo.i, in consequence of tte, surtit pox._
t was very currently believed, of late, that this Young
woman could not ally distinguish colours by the Lotto?.
(a thing not Fo very sa:rpriss:e bat that she could
Estinguislt o!lject.: at a distance with her lingers through
the _lass of' a wiolow, and tell both their shape and
colour ! There however, some sceptics who still
thought that Ali;; Nl‘Avoy %vas mutisin4 the putilie,
rind that she could see, natwithstandini; the ;W es,
f:o. put upon her eyes ; mad from e::periments made by
Mr. Saunders, a geutientau of great re:Tcerability, it is
vkarly proved that the fitir impa.nor must have seen :
as, notwithstandiag all the preeentions of those who
witnet.:e.l her preteaded powers, a ray of light must
have its way upon the 't to be aseertal7i,
by the sik of the use, in tile direction of the breath of