The Sun.
London, England, 1836-11-21 00:00:00

CORONERS' INQUESTS.

On Saturday evening a lengthened investigation took
place at the Devonshire Arms Tavern, Duke-street, Port-
land-place, on the body of Miss Elizabeth Judith Mince,
aged 23, an interesting and accomplished young lady, who
committed self-destriaction by precipitating herself out of
a two-pair bed-chamber window, at the residence of Mr.
Thompson, architect, of No. 25, Foley-place, Marylebone.
Ann Ramsey, housekeeper in Mr. Thompson's family,
examined—The deceased young lady was my master's cousin,
and resided in the house. About a month since she left
town to proceed to Richmond, in Surrey. She returned on
Sunday last, when I observed a great alteration in her. She
was abstracted, and excessively depressed in spirits. In
answer to my inquiry respecting her health, she said she
felt very indisposed, but I could observe she avoided my
question as to the cause of her dejection of spirits. On
Monday she expressed herself much better, but from the
day in question to the time she perpetrated the dreadful
act that terminated in her dissolution, her manners were
most extraordinary, and her conversation incoherent and
unconnected. On Friday morning, about nine o'clock,
I left her (the deceased), in the breakfast parlour with
one of my mistress's daughters, a little girl between
six and seven years of age. About a quarter past two
o'clock on the afternoon of the same day I was in the back
kitchen, when I was horror struck at seeing the deceased
descend into the back yard, which is flagged. I instantly
ran out to her. She was speechless and insensible, and
writhed about in apparent great agony. 1 alarmed the
family, and Mr. Mince, the brother of the unfortunate
young lady, and the servants came into the yard, and the
poor sufferer was carried up to her bedchamber, and Mr.
Duffin, a medical gentleman, was instantly sent for, and
promptly arrived, and continued his attendance until her
(deceased's) death, which took place between eleven and
twelve o'clock the same night.
By the CORONER—The deceased was a very accom-
plished young lady. She went to Richmond as a teacher
of languages to a large seminary. I cannot account for
her dejection of spirits and her committing the rash act. I
am not aware that she was addressed by any gentleman, or
had met with any disappointment whatever.
By the Jury—She returned from Richmond on account
of indisposition. Previous to her leaving town I did not
observe her unhappiness of mind. From the day of her
return until her melancholy death she rapidly declined in
her spirits. The room, from the window of which she
threw herself out, is at the back of the house, on the second
floor. Its height from the yard is more than forty feet.
The witness in her further examination stated that a dif-
ference had existed between the deceased and a brother
(who resided in the house) since August last ; that a few
minutes before the deceased threw herself from the window
she was in the drawing-room, and on hearing her brother,
admitted she ran up stairs, and immediately afterwards the
calamitous occurrence took place.
The Jury observed it was a very extraordinary and pain-
ful case. From the evidence it was quite apparent that the
young lady had a dread of her brother's presence ; the
cause of which they felt themselves bound to inquire into.
The CORONER observed that possibly the relatives would
:explain the matter. He (the Coroner) could not under-
stand why a family difference should cause a valuable mem-
ber to have recourse to self-destruction, and that in so de-
termined and dreadful a manner ; besides, it had been shown
that the young lady was so accomplished as to be able to
get her living respectably ; consequently she was quite in-
dependent of a brother.
Mrs. Fanny Thompson, the lady of Mr. Thompson, archi-
tect and surveyor, of No. 25, Foley-place, stated that the
deceased had been in a delicate state of health for several
months past, but at the time of her going to Richmond
she was much better, and in good spirits. On her
return, on Sunday, she complained of indisposition,
and witness observed that she was unusually dull
and dejected. Witness endeavoured to rally her by
the molt soothing attention, but without success. On
the morning of the day she destroyed herself, witness
observed that she was unusually,low spirited. About two
o'clock she was in the drawing-room with witness and some
of the younger branches of the family, when her (deceased)
brother arrived. On hearing him she left the room, and
flew up stairs. A few minutes had only elapsed, when wit-
ness was apprised by the servants of the dreadful occurrence
that had taken place.
CORONER—WiII you be good enough, Madam, to ex-

plain the nature' and extent of. the, difference that existed
between the deceased and lief.' br.6thar ?
Witness—Nothing more, Sir, than ,lieu di,fMositions and
opinions were so much at variance that they dui tVi court
can d thcr's reciety.
By the Jury—l neVer heard the deceased threaten self-
destruction ; she had excellent religiuns notions ; she had
beep subject to nervous attacks, during wi.Pc! ).,sr mental
ekcitedidtit h,‘, been very alarming. Fourteen yealg
she laboured undef a !"eYere nervous fever, and was at•
tended by Mr. Wakefield. I in nttribute no other cause
for her committing the dreadful act, but eGcntitutional ner-
vous excitement ; her mind had not been annoyed b rny
circumstance, nor at any period bad her affections been
blighted ; she was beloved and respected by the whole of
her relatives.
Some discussion took place as to whether the brother
should be examined, but it was eventually deemed unneces-
sary after Mrs. Thompson's testimony.—Verdict, " That
the deceased threw herself out of a window in a state of
temporary derangement."
On Saturday afternoon an inquest was held at the Cross
Keys Tavern, Marylebone-lane, before Mr. STIRLING and
a most respectable Jury, on view of the body of Mrs. Char-
lotte Teller, aged 86, a widow lady of independence, whose
death was occasioned by injuries received in falling down a
flight of stairs at her residence.—Verdict, " Accidental
Death."
Another inquest was held at Cobham, on the body of
Frederick Chilly, aged sixteen, who was killed by a fall
from the box of the Portsmouth stage-van, on Thursday
last. The deceased, it appeared, was inclined to sleep, and
was advised by the driver of his danger, when he was preci-
pitated from his seat.—Verdict, " Accidental Death."
SUlClDE.—Saturday an inquest was held in the Com-
mittee room of the Liberty of the Rolls, Carey-street, on
the body of James Hodgson, aged twenty-three, late a com-
positor at the King's Printing-office, who committed suicide.
A witness spoke to the deceased's having received notice to
quit his employment the day before he committed the rash
act, which greatly distressed his mind.—Verdict, " Tem-
porary Derangement."