The Sun.
London, England, 1840-07-11 00:00:00

SUICIDES.

(From the Leamington Chronicle.)
On Thursday last an inquest before G. C Green.
way, Esq., the Coroner, was held at the Newbold Inn,
on the bodies of the two unfortunate females taken
from that part of the River Learn which adjoins Mr.
Oldham's mill. John Smith, a porter, deposed to his
discovery of two bonnets and a shawl on the bank near
the mill-dam, as he was proceeding in that direction
to his work a little before five o'clock on Wednesday
morning. He went immediately to give notice to the
parish constable, Mr. Roby, to whom he delivered the
articles, together with a letter which he had found in
one of the bonnets. Mr. Roby, without a moment's
delay, directed the river to be dragged near the spot,
where suspicion had been first excited ; and in a few
moments the men thus employed drew up the body of a
female, which proved to be that of Elizabeth
Varney, a married woman, about twenty-one years
of age, whose husband had lately enlisted as
a soldier. On dragging again, they brought out
the body of Anna Smith, who was stated to have been
about three years younger than her unhappy companion
in misfortune. Mr. Bushy, the surgeon, having been
instantly sent for, arrived without loss of time ; but the
bodies, which were perfectly cold, appeared to have
been for several hours in the water, and all attempt
to restore animation was of course perfectly useless. No
marks of violence were discoverable on either ; and it
was noticed that their, apparel seemed to have been se-
lected and put on with studied neatness.
The first witness examined before the Jury on the
inquiry respecting Elizabeth Varney, was her father,
William Robins, who deposed to her having been in an
unsettled state since her husband's enlistment, and that
she could not be persuaded to remain at home. lie
had not seen her since Saturday week. On the morn-
ing after the fatal occurrence, he had received by the
post a letter which he produced, the handwriting of
which was the same as that of the letter found in the
bonnet.
Jane Crump, on being interrogated; deposed to the
deceased having taken lodgings at her house, No. 24,
in Oxford-street, on the same day as that on which the
father mentioned having last seen her ; and that a per-
son named William Southam, whom she believed at
first to be her husband, joined her there in the evening.
On discovering the true state of the connexion, the wit-
ness gave them notice to quit. Southam left on Sun-
day, and Varney continued at the lodgings until about
nine o'clock on Tuesday evening, when she went out,
and never returned.
William Southam's evidence agreed with that of
Mrs. Crump ; and it appeared that he had been remon-
strated with both by his master and his companions for
his improper intimacy with the girl.
George Whorrall, a car-driver, in the employ of
John Mellish, deposed to having seen the deceased at
a quarter to nine on Tuesday evening, in company
with another girl, whom he could not positively affirm
to have been Anna Smith, though, on seeing the bodies,
he thought that he recognised in that of Smith the as-
sociate of Varney on the evening in question. His
evidence went to show that Varney had been inquir-
ing for Southam, who had kept purposely out of the
way. He added, that, on wishing him " Good night,"
Varney had said, jocularly, " I shall drown myself to-
night," and the other had in the same tone said the
same.
The father of Varney, on being recalled, deposed to
being on friendly terms with his daughter, and said his
house might always have been a home for her if she
wished to return.
In the case of Anna Smith, after the same evidence
had been taken regarding the discovery of her body,
Hannah Ward, with whom she lived up to the time of
her death, was the next witness brought under exami-
nation. From her statement it appeared that she had
known her from the age of eight years, and in every fa-
mily wherein the poor girl had held a situation,
her conduct had been pronounced correct, and her cha-
. -racter most respectable. This witness considered
the deceased strictly virtuous, and had never seen any
melancholy about her. She deposed to Smith having
received a visit about a fortnight since from a young
man out of work, who was proceeding to Coventry,
and to her having asked permission at half-past eight
on Tuesday evening to go out, and to the gown which
she wore on that occasion not being the same as the
one in which she was found dressed.
The evidence of Eliza Willies, who lived in the same
house, tended to prove that ever since the young man,
above alluded to, and whose name was George John-
son, of Long Itchington, had been to visit Smith, she
had always been in low spirits ; and that, whilst she and
the deceased, who slept together, were in their room on
the night before the sad occurrence, Smith had been
more than usually agitated, and had said, crying, " It
will go on, and on, till I kill myself."
Mr. Roby mentioned having found a lock of hair.
enclosed in paper, inside the unhappy creature's dress,
and near her heart.
The Jury, after some difficulty in arriving at an
unanimous decision, agreed at length upon a verdict of
" Found Drowned."
The following are verbatim copies of the letters
alluded to in the,. above report :
Leamington, Juicy the 1.
" Mrs. v y was my name i brought myselfe.to. greefe
And shame by Leven one that near Lovede me So
now my sorrau I planely see mark well the words that
will be said by g w i was betrade At rest with him i
near could be until he had his will of me to his fond
tai!se I did give way And from the path of vurtew
i did stray but o the oath he swore to me that i his
lawful bride should be that if he proved falce he did
say might he not prosper nor yet happey be. o i did
promes on Sunday night to walk once more with my
hearts delighte ore the human banks whear the billaus
roare thear we did part to meet no more Since he As
proved falce i ham resolved A watere grave this night
to have ill plunge myselfe into the deepe Liveingen my
frinds beinde to weep And for a token that t dide for
Love thearo shall be sense A milk wite dove And
over my watere tombe shall fly theare you will find
my bode lie dear william when this you see remember
how you silted me farewell vane world fake man A due
i dround myselfe for Love you grant me one faveour
this All i crave six young girls pray Let me have to
bear me to my aileute gray All drest in wite A comeley
show to take me to the tombe below o Ali young women
wheare everc you be take warning of my Afful death
teke w:'ruing then wile you Are young of niens deluden
flatren tonges.
" Departed this Life At ten o'clock this night July
the 1 1840."

" Leamington July the 1 1840.
" Dear father And mother this comes with a sorafful
heart to You And my brothers And to my Lovening
Sister And to All that belonges to ma As you will
see when you read this Letter that i ham no more
on this earth As he Left me on Sunday morning
And i have not seen him since and i couid not
think of coming home Anney more And i did not
know where to go And to stope in Learrington i couid
not As i ham Bound on by every one so that i could
not henre myself in this world Annoy Longer so i have
rote this to you that you may feehte my close home
And you will find them At 24 oxford Strete only to capes
you will find at mrs no 4 king Strete and one
Shife there And my pink frock you will find in wartvick
stri•te At mrs pearse grene wetter A young woman that
is there has note it lirr name is Ann hiknell And she
will give yen too shillins or the frock A gainelier And
my bonnet you will find at mrs meradeths so i have
told you All that i have to say to Annoy one oily
i2ive my kind Love to my brothers And to my
S:ster but do not tel her of my death nor yet my
hi other william dont weep my parents dear for your one
child As the you had no other but i hope you will undo
comfort in my youngest brother farewell vane world
fake man A dew i drowoe myselfe for Love of you o i
d;tl promes on sunday night to walk once more with my
hearts delight ore the Imam banks where the belose
roar there we did meet to part no more toy greele is
greater than i can hear i ham disregarded evere ware i
ham Like a flower that is cut down And on me now
my Love dos frown.
" Farewell my dear father And mother with A
Akening heart ill bid you A dew tho in this world i
shall not see you so i must conclude as i cannot do
Anney more
" So i remain your undutiful daughter

-"
E. V."
A mystery yet remains to be unravelled, how and
iacit she became so intimately and unfortunately ac-
quainted with the other woman, who exercised so power-
ful an influence over her mind as to induce her to com-
mit self-destruction.

On the afternoon of Saturday last, the bodies of these
iil-fated girls were followed by their affLeted relatives
to the usual place of interment, amidst a large concourse
of spectators ; and a scene of more heart-rending sorrow
has seldom been w:tuessed within the sacred walls of
the parish church, or the boundaries of its adjacent
burial ground. The deepest sympathy was Evinced in
the sufferings of their aged parents, thus heavily
stricken both with shame and grief ; and surely, if we
may judge from the behaviour of those present on this
mournful occasion, more particularly among the younger
branches of either sex, the sad spectacle cannot fail to
have given many a salutary warning, and must have
been productive of lasting benefit. There was one, at
least, among the witnesses of this melancholy scene,
whose deep contrition was almost as affecting as the
deplorable circumstances of this double funeral ; those
who noticed it believe it to have been sincere.
The plates on tho respective coffins were thus in-
scribed :—" ELIZAETII VARNEY, Died 30th June,
1840, Aged twenty-one years.''---" A. SMITH, Aged
eighteen years, 1810."
The pall that covered the remains of the latter wag
supported by four young girls in neat white dresses ;
and it WAS evident that her fate, from many previous
recollections in her favour, excited the strongest com-
miseration,

The Liberals of the county of Limerick are
about to call a meeting requiring Colonel Fitzgibbon to retire
from its representation, on the ground of his inability, from in-
disposition, to attend to its duties,

EVENING EDITIOW

FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAZETTE

ST. JAMES'S PALACE, Jur.v 1, 18-10.
The Queen was this day pleated to confer the honour of
Knighthood upon John Fife, Esq., late Mayor-of Newcastle..

WHITEHALL, .1131.1- 6, 1840.
The Lord Chancellor has appointed Henry Perry. of White-
haven, in the county of Cumberland, Gent. to be a Master Ex-
traordinary in the High Court of Chan2ery.

WHITEHALL, JULY 9.
The Queen has been pleased to constitute and appoint Robert
Ilandvside, Esq.. Advocate, to be Sheriff Depute of the shire
or shjriirdom of Stirling, in the room of John Shaw Stewart,
Esq., deceased.

WAR OFFICE, 11l 1.1" 10.
11th Regiment of Light Dragoons—First Lieut. G. S. Jen-
kinson, from the Rifle Brigade, to be Lieutenant, by purchase,
vice Smith, who retires, Jul.s 10.
Ist Regiment of Foot—L. Barron, M.D., to be Assistant-
Surgeon, vice Brewster, who resigns, July 10.
2d Foot—Ensign R. Stephenson to be Lieutenant, by pur-
chase, vice Stock, who retires ; J. King, Gent , to be Ensign,
by purchase, vice Stephenson, July 10.
4th Foot----E. J. Gibson, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase,
vice Rice, appointed to the 72d Foot, July 10.
17th Foot—Lieutenant W. S. Hall, from the half-pay of the
18th Foot, to be Paymaster, vice Moore, deceased, July 10.
32d Foot—Gentleman Cadet C. T. King, from the Royal
Military College,
.to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Palk,
deceased, July 10.
60th Foot—Captain J. Robinson, from half-pay Unattached,
to be Captain, vice Bulinan, deceased, July 10.
72d Foot—Ensign J. C. Harris to be Lieutenant, by pur-
chase, vice Stuart, who retires ; Ensign H. Rice, from the 4th
Foot, to be Ensign, vice Harris, July 10.
95th Foot—Ensign F. Smythe to be Lieutenant, by pur-
chase, vice Wood, who retires; J. H. Caress, Gent. to be
Ensign, by purchase, vice Smythe, July 10.
Rifle Brigade—Second Lieutenant and Adjutant E. A.
Somerset to have the rank of Lieutenant, July 9 ; Second Lieu-
tenant W. S. Warren to be First Lieutenant, by purchase,
vice Jenkinson, appointed to the 11th Light Dragoons, July
10; W. M. Aitchison, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant, by
purchase, vice Warren, July 10.
Royal Malta Fencible Regiment— With local and temporary
Rank.—Brevet Major F. Bussiett, to be 'Major; Lie-tenant
M. de M. Alessi, to be Captain, vice Bussiett ; Ensign N.
Metrovich, to be Lieutenant, vice Alessi; Volunteer Cadet de
Piro, to be Ensign, vice Metrovich, July 10.
UNATTACHED.—lieutenant G. Monro, from 22d Foot, to
be Captain, without purchase, July 10.
MEMORANDUM.—The removal of Assistant-Surgeon G.
B. Fry, from the 27th Foot to the 31st Regiment, and the ap-
pointment of Assistant-Surgeon J. Gillice, from the Staff to
the Assistant-Surgeoncy of the 27th Foot, as stated in the Ga-
zette, May 29, are to be cancelled.

Commissioned by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk:
Suffolk Borderers Troop of Yeomanry Cavalry—The Hon.
H. Major to be Lieutenant, vice Buttingham, resigned,June 13.

_. .
DECLARATIONS OF BANKRUTCY.

EDWARD THOMAS, tailor, Aldermanbury, London.
JOHN BAKER, tea-dealer, Taunton, Somersetahire.
JOHN SAWBRIDGE, ribbon manufacturer, Coventry.
BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED.
JOB LEES, dealer, Manchester.
BANKRUPTS.
WILLIAM ROWBOTTOM, grocer, 11Iottram-in-Long-
dendale, Cheshire, to surrender July 18, and August 21, at
ten, at the Commissioners'-rooms, Manchester. Pollitt, Hyde,
Cheshire ; Appleby, King's-road, Bedford-row, London.
WILLIAM ROBINSON, provision dealer, Liverpool, July
23, and August 21, at one, at the Clarendon-rooms, Liverpool.
Hime, Liverpool; Chester, Staple Inn, London.
ROBERT L &MB, iron-merchant, Stockton, Durham,
August 7 and 21, at ten, at the Black Lion Hotel, Stockton.
Lever, Ring's-road, Bedford-row, London ; Peacock, Dar-
lington.

EDWARD TURK, factor, Birmingham, July 21, and
August 21, at two, at the ?ew Royal Hotel, Birmingham.
Chaplin, Gray's Inn-square, London ; Harrison, Birming-
ham.

JOHN DILLON, brazier, Hereford, July 18, and August
21, at eleven, at the Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford. Guvelje,
Skilbeck, and Hall, Southampton-buildings, London ; Bel-
lamy, Hereford.

JOHN HOGG and FRANCIS SHARPE, cloth-mer-
chants, Leeds, July 25, and August 21, at twelve, at the
Commissioners'. rooms, Leeds. Wilson, Southampton-street,
Bloomsbury-square, London ; Payne, Eddison, and Fortt,
Leeds.

HENRY HUXIIASI, porter-merchant, Swansea, Gla-
morganshire, July 30, and Aug. 21, at eleven, at the Mack-
worth Arms Inn, Swansea. Pulling and Clayton, Temple,
London ; Collinson, Swansea.

ROBERT WILLIAMS, druggist, Llanrwst, Denbighshire,
July 25, and Aug. 21, at one, at the Clarendon-rooms, Liver-
pool. Norris, Allen, and Simpson, Holborn, London ; Robert
and John Norris, Liverpool. -
ADAM CLARK, draper, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire,
July 25, and August 21, at twelve, at the Saracen's Inn, Lin.
coln. Wilkinson, Lincoln; Wood and Ellis, Corbet-court,
Gracechurch-street, London.

GEORGE BROOKES, draper, Manchester, July 27, and
August 21, at two, at the Commissioners'-rooms, Manchester.
Alakinson and Saunders, Elm• court, Temple, London ; Atkin-
son, Birch, and Saunders, Manchester.
JOHN HUNTON, joiner, York, July 27 and August 21,
at two, at the Falcon Inn, York. Williamson and Hill, Ve-
rulam-buildings, Gray's Inn, London ;,Blanchard and Richard'
son, York.