The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-29 00:00:00

ARTFUL SUICIDE OF LIEUTENANT BASSANI;

OF THE SARDINIAN ARMY.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. William Payne, coroner, of
London, held an inquest in the vestry-room of St.
Saviour's Church, Southwark, on the body of M.
Graffinno Bassani, aged 37 years, formerly a lieutenant
in the Sardinian service, who committed suicide at the
Bridge-house Hotel, London-bridge, under the following
circumstances. The inquiry created great interest, and
amongst those present to watch the proceedings was
Mr. William Carter, the Surrey coroner.
Mr. Thomas Houghton Burrell said that ho was the
proprietor of the Bridge•house Hotel, London-bridge.
On Thursday morning last, between seven and eight
o'clock, his attention was called to the dressing-room
attached to the bath-room, by hearing the discharge of
fire-arms and cries from the deceased. He went to the
room, and found the door unfastened. On going in he
saw the deceased lying on the floor ; he was on his right
side, and his left arm was thrown behind his back. A
pistol was found at his feet, and another was on the bed.
Mr. Hill and Mr. Callaway attended immediately. The
deceased was then alive. Witness proceeded upstairs,
and found a note written in French, which stated :
" London, Oct. 26, 1853.

"Sorrow and misfortune of several kinds, which I
cannot resist any more, have determined me to this fatal
resolution of suicide. From respect to my relations and
toy position, I beg that neither my name nor my city b©
published in the papers. My last thoughts are for my
dear family and unlucky fatherland."
There was also a postscript to the letter, which
stated :

"Enquire at Messrs. Folco, Brothers, in Paris, Rue
Boisne."

He (witness) also found a passport in the possession
of the deceased, granted by the Sardinian Government.
He telegraphed to Messrs. Folco at Paris, and received
an answer to the following effect :

" Sir,—Since posting my letter yesterday, I received
in the evening a letter from the unhappy suicide, dated
the day before, in which he announces his fatal inten-
tion, declaring that he would not execute it in Paris, to
avoid giving greater pain to his family, of whom he was
a friend of four years standing."
The letter sent also stated that the deceased was a
banister at Bongo, until the revolution of 1848, which
induced him to take arms against Austria. He acted
in two campaigns as lieutenant in the army of Sardinia.
Personally exiled from the country, he came to Paris,
where he lived peaceably in the lawyers' offices, till he
heard that several of his countrymen had made their
fortunes at the Exchange, and he had the misfortune to
be dragged into it, and there he lost 50,000 f. In spite
of advice he again lost 15,000 f. He thought to acquit
himself of this debt, when the decree of sequestration of
the Austrian Government made it impossible for him to
do so honourably. Nothing in his manner disclosed the
tragical end which he meditated. He was to have dined
with M. Folco, on Tuesday, but when dinner was ready
he said that important affairs called him to London, and
that he intended to go immediately. He then said that
he would write instantly, and if his affairs succeeded he
would let M. Falco know. He embraced his child,
shook hands with M. Falco's wife, and departed.
Mr. Charles 'Wells, surgeon, of No. 4, Welling-
ton•street, said that he was called on Thursday morn-
ing last at 20 minutes to nine o'clock, and found
the deceased in the room adjoining the bar. He
was alive. He observed two wounds, one be-
tween the fifth and sixth ribs on the left side, and
another an inch and a half further back. He was in a
state of collapse. He partially rallied, but became
worse, and hemorrhage coming on, he died at 20 mi-
nutes after ten o'clock. One bullet was found in the
left side, which was quite sufficient to account for death.
He saw the pistols, and found that they had both been
discharged.
Mr. Burrell stated that he had waited upon Baron
Rothschild, the Sardinian and Austrian ambassador, as
to the disposal of the body.
The learned coroner having summed up,
The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.

THE AUSTRALIAN STEAMER VICTORIA.—The advices
received to-day from Adelaide, South Australia, men-
tion the arrival of the Australian Steam Company's
vessel Victoria, in the unprecedented space of 60 days
from England. She left Gravesend on the 18th of June,
and reached Port Adelaide on the 19th of August. hThe
quantity of coals consumed on the passage was 1,200
tons, of which 323 were taken in at St. Vincent's.
HAMBURG}.—The advices from Hamburg state a fur-
ther increase in the demand for money, discounts being
obtainable with difficulty at 6 per cent. The market
had been much disturbed by the recent failure of two
houses—namely, those of Messrs. Jacob von Bergen
and Co., and Mr. James Gowa. Mr. Gowa was a bill
and stockbroker, and one of the largest speculators in
the place. He had extensive transactions with Berlin,
where his suspension seems to have exorcised consider.
able influence.

BELLOT TESTIMONIAL COMMITTEE.—The preliminary
meetingc
last,
ie ty Sirtthe of
R otdhie s
apartments
ck
Murchison committeeof
f t
tho
eoi took place
tophyl
eaa
aon i
Geographicalr, wwhen
n i.
t Wednesdayso.was
resolved that, in order to give all persons who arc inte-
rested in the fate of this gallant and lamented officer
an opportunity of recording their sense of his noble
conduct, a public meeting shall be called as early as
possible. The Chairman stated that the interest excited
in this case having now assumed so national a turn, it
was his opinion that the chair at the meeting would be
more appropriately filled by some public character than
by himself ; and it was resolved that the First Lord of
the Admiralty should be invited to preside on the occa-
sion, and that, in the event of his declining to do so, Sir
Roderick Murchison be desired to continue in that office.
We understand, from what has since transpired, that
Sir James Graham, fully appreciating the compliment
paid him by the committee, has expressed his opinion
that his official position prevented his presiding, but
that he entirely concurred with the resolution of the
committee, that Sir Roderick Murchison should continue
to occupy the chair. Sir James has further consented
to move the first resolution at the meeting. We are
also informed that the Earl of Aberdeen, entirely parti-
cipating in these views, has expressed himself to the
effect that he willingly and with the greatest pleasure
associates himself with those who form the committee
fur this object, in which, from the first, lie has felt a
very deep interest. The meeting is to be held at Willis's
Rooms on Friday next, the 4th of November, at 2 p.m,

MONEY MARKET I

AND
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

CITY, TIVO O'CLOCK.

The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were
estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 1,000 were
taken for export and on speculation. The market
was quiet but dull. Railway Shares were flat, at
lower prices.

As the force of the dividend and other quarterly
payments subsides, the returns of the Bank of
England present a more faithful index of the posi-
tion of the Money Market ; and thus the return
for the week to the 22d inst. is interesting, if not
by any means so satisfactory as could be desired.
In the item of bullion, as will be observed, there is
a further considerable diminution, and although
part of this is due to the residue of the dividend pay-
ments, the bulk probably went abroad. The reserve
of notes was strengthened a little by the amount
received in repayment of loans made while the
transfer books were shut ; but the low point to which
the Government deposits had sunk is good proof
that the Bank has its assets much reduced in that
quarter. Compared with the previous week, the
changes are as follows

Active circulation..,
Decrease
Bullion
Decrease

... £23,145,145
522,240
• 14,960,206

Rest
Increase
Public Deposits.
Decrease
Other Deposits
Decrease.
Seven-day and other Bills
Decrease
Government Securities
Decrease.
Other Securities
Decrease
Notes unemployed

Increase,

311,168
3,170,823
9,662
2,903,045
797,814
12,390,653
273,573
1,371,064
34,029
11,319,072
1,136,089
17,254,452
170,637
5,213,810

201,320

The rates at which Bills of Exchange were taken
yesterday afternoon were rather lower as regards
the principal Continental cities. Paris, 90 days,
was firm, however, at 25 25 to 30, and Trieste at
11 27 to 32 ; Amsterdam brought 11 161 to and
Hamburgh 13 5/ to 6.
The Adelaide papers to the 20th August, refer
in terms of high commendation to the voyage out
of the steamer Victoria, belonging to the Royal
Australian Mail Steam Company, and which was
accomplished in a few hours less than 60 days. In
justice this would entitle the company to the
bonus of 5001. offered by the Legislature, but
as the Victoria took out no contract mail, there
may be no objection to its payment. One
or two important facts have been elicited
by this voyage. First, that it is preferable
to sacrifice freight, in order to carry suffi-
cient coal ; second, that it is lunadvisable to call at
the Cape of Good Hope ; and, thirdly, that the
model of the Victoria is good, and that the Ade-
laide and other vessels might have equalled her in
speed had they been sent to sea in a more efficient
state. The passengers had adopted a highly com-
plimentary address to the Commander, Mr. Cham-
pion, and that gentleman had declared his belief
that, on the next occasion, he will make the voy-
age out in 56 days !
There has been a larger exportation this week of
the precious metals from London direct. Of gold
the amount is 30,250 ounces, and of silver 157,900
ounces, all to the continent.
The English Stock market opened rather better,
Consols being 911 to 92, but a sudden rise to 93
and on has occurred, in consequence of the state-
ment from Vienna that an armistice has been con-
cluded between Russia and Turkey. The " bears"
have bought back freely, and this, without any
money purchases, has given great impulse to
prices. Bank Stock is heavy at 212. Exchequer
Bills have been at par to 4s. premium, and India
Bonds at ls. discount to ss. premium.
The Foreign Stock Market has been almost de-
serted, but prices are nominally higher. Mexican
Bonds have realised 25 and Spanish Three per
Cents. 441. Portuguese Four per Cents. have
been at 40x. Venezuela are 31.
The favourite Railway Shares have been more
dealt in, and are generally higher in price by sym-
pathy with Consols. The market is necessarily in
an unsettled state. Great Northern have been run
up 21. to 21. 10s. ; North Western, 11. ; Midland,
11. io 11. 10s. ; South Eastern, V. 10s. ; Cale-
donian, 15s. to 255. ; and most of the others in
proportion. The French Shares are up about 10s.

The Australian Banks are rather higher, and
there is a rise in Australian Agricultural Shares of
31., principally upon the buying back by the
speculators for a fall.

In the Gold Hines there have been dealings at
higher rates generally.

BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
(From the Official List.)
Business done.
Bank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 9l 2a i
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 92 3
New 3-1 per Cent. Annuities 93 B
Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 -16
India Bonds, £lOOO ...
Ditto, under £lOOO par 5 p
Consols for Account
Exchequer Bills, 2d.
£IOOO
£500
Small
PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Nlexicau 3 per Cant.
Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent. 4oi
Spanish Bonds, 3 per-Cent 44}
Venezuela Bonds, 31 per Cent. ..........
Dividends on the above payable in London.
TWO O'CLOCK.

Consols 93A /
Ditto October Account 93A

LLOYD'S SIIIPPING.-(THIS D AY.

LONDON, Oct. 29. -Wind this day at Noon, W., light
airs, and cloudy weather.
OFF COWES, Oct. 28.—Franklin, from Havre, and sailed
for New York.
PLYMOUTH, Oct. 28. -Wind, S.W. Arrived—Prince
Regent, Bombay. Sailed—Geelong, Shanghai; Coldstream,
Madras ; Madras, Sierra Leone.
SUNDERLAND, Oct. 28.—Arrived—Julie Heyn, Quebec.
HULL, Oct. 28.—The Tartar, of Boxham, was in con.
tact yesterday off the Span Light, with the Gazelle (s),
from Antwerp, when she immediately sunk ; crew saved.
CLYDE, Oct. 27.—Wind, S.E. Arrived—New Hamp-
shire, New York ; Henry Curraen, Bahia ; Davidson, St.
Kitt's ; Cecilia, St. John's, N.B. Sailed—Active, New-
foundland.
STORNOWAY, Oct. 27. Arrived— Visterbotton, Belfast,
for Stockholm, leaky, and with damage.
KINGSTOWN, Oct. 27.—Wind, S.S.W. Arrived—
Odessa, Quebec and Wicklow Bay.
QUEENSTOWN, Oct. 27.—Wind, variable and calm. Ar-
rived—Henry Winch, from Calcutta, for Liverpool.
SINGAPORE, Sept. 15.—The Bombay, for London, sailed
hence on the 27th June, and hag put back leaky ; she has
been surveyed, and abandoned by the master.
BOMBAY, Sept. 28.—The Lord Auckland, bound for
London, has put back leaky.
MELBOURNE, Aug. 22.—The United, Liverpool to this
port, which. got on a sand bank on the 21st July, has been
got off.

u
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
a
tday, 10 a.m.

Wind, W.N.W., fresh breeze, and fine.
Arrived—Caroline, from Dantzic ; Victory, Bordeaux ;
Eva, Oran ; Lord Elgin, Africa ; Rosalie, Ostend ; Lino,
Cronstaclt ; Maria Alphonsine, Santander; Nuevo Leon,
London.
Off Holyhead, at S a.m.—The steam-ship Arabia, from
New York, with the mails of the 19th instant ; she would
arrive in Liverpool about ono o'clock.
(BY SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.)
GRAVESEND, Saturday, 10.27 a.m.