The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-23 00:00:00

S N 7 APRIL 23, 1847.

SUICIDE OF SIR H. WEBSTER.
Mr. Bedford, the coroner for Westminster, and a jury
of 19 inhabitants of St. George's parish, assembed at
the deceased's private residence, for the purpose of in-
vestigating the melancholy affair.
r. eston, of Fenchurch-street; was present to
watMch theW fa
proceedings on behalf of thefamily of the de-
ceased.
The jury, after being sworn, proceeded to view the
remains of the deceased. The body was lying on a
mattress in one of the front rooms of the second floor—
the same apartment ordinarily occupied by the deceased
as his bed-room; it presented a ghastly appearance--
a jagged wound extending across the left side of the
throat.
The proceedings commenced with the examination of
Robert Filson, footman in the service of the deceased,
who said—l saw my master last alive on Sunday night,
when he retired to rest. At 7 o'clock the next morning,
in obedience to my master's instructions, I went up
stairs and knocked at his bedroom door. lie asked who
was there? I told him who it was. He made no reply,
and as he sometimes did not like to be distui bed I
went down stairs again. In about 20 minutes I went
back and knocked at the door. I asked him if
he had taken his medicine? but I got no answer. I
went up again as near about half-past 8 o'clock as
possible. At this time Lady Webster came out of her
room, and asked me how Sir Henry was, and whether
he had taken his medicine? I told her I had been to the
room three times and could get no.anssver. She then
went herself and knocked at the door, and asked him to
let her in. He muttered something, but we could not
make out what it was, and then she said the door must
be br ken open. Sir Henry and Lady Webster gene-
rally occupied separate rooms. I broke open the door
in Lady Webster's presence. On entering I found Sir
Henry lying on his face on the ground, near the foot of
the bed. I pulled up the blind, and on turning round
saw that Lidy Webster was in the act of coming into
the room. I immediately prevented her. I saw blood
on the floor as soon as I entered; there were tracks of
it nearly across the room from the direction of the
window. I took a pillow from the bed and placed it
under Sir Henry's hE ad. He spoke only once after I saw
him, and then merely said "he was cold." I saw a
small knife lying on the floor near Sir Henry—a clasp
knife. There were two doors to the room in which Sir
Henry slept; both of them were tried, and found fast
before- we attempted to break open the one. On Sunday
night Sir Henry appeared in his usual health. We had
only arrived from the Continent on Friday evening last,
having been travelling for the last seven months. About
seven weeks ago, while in Paris, I first noticed a differ-
ence in Sir Henry's manner. He then appeared to be
unusually excited, and was more free than usual in his
manner. He afterwards became very unwell, and
suffered from lowness of spirits. He kept his bcd while
in that capital one day, or a day and a half. I never
recollect his having done so before.
A Juror—Have you heard, or do you know of your
own know/edge, that the deceased had lost a very serious
sum of money by a recent steeplechase ? Witness—l
have no knowledge of any such circumstance.
A Juror—Had you any knowledge of the knife with
which the act was committed? Witness—l never saw
it before.
The CORONER—Did you ever hear the deceased
threaten to commit suicide? Witness—Never..
John Ashburner, M.D., of 30, North Audley-street,
examined—l have attended the deceased Baronet pro-
fessionally for some years. He has been during that
period subject to attacks of gout and disorganization of the
digestive functions. On February last he suffered from
great depression of spirits, which I attributed to the state
of his health. Dr. Holland and myself saw him together
on Saturday last for the first time since his return to
this country. He was then suffering from 'great lowness
of spirits. We gave him medicine calculated to relieve
his loaded venous system. On Sunday we saw him again.
Dr. Babington met us on that day. We found he had
not taken the medicine we prescribed for him on the
Saturday. We urged on him the importance of his doing
so. He said his bowels had been acted on without the
medicine, and, therefore, he thought there was no occa-
sion for it. On Sunday afternoon I dined with the
deceased, and before leaving him, about half-past nine
o'clock, I gave' him a calomel pill myself. Ile was in
better spirits on Sunday, while I was dining with him,
than I had seen him for some time. About eight or nine
years ago he suffered from a similar depression of spirits.
At that time he was occasionally greatly excited. On
Saturday, after our consultation, we gave directions to
the family and servants that Sir Henry should be watched,
as we considered his state of mind required it. We, at
the same time, desired that he should not be controlled in
any way.
The CORONER—WiII you explain more precisely what
you meant when you desired that the deceased should be.
watched ? Dr. ,Nshburner—Our remarks were more of
the chargc'er of general observations than express direc•
lions. I had heard that a poisoned instrument which
Sir Henry generally kept under his pillow had been
taken from its place by one of the servants, and that Sir
Henry had been very angry thereupon, and had taken
possession of the instrument, and kept it in his pocket.
I old the servant he had done quite right, and that if ho
I observed any change in his master's conduct, he had
better take possession of the instrument again. At the
same time I advised that his razors should not be re-
moved. as I considered that such a course would be cal-
culated to annoy and excite him.
Examination continued--I mu cousin to the deceased's
wife. The deceased told me on Saturday that he was
depressed in spirits owing to some family affairs, but as
I knew they were trifles which he referred to I made no
further allusion to the subject. When I was called in
on Monday morning I found deceased lying on the floor.
Lie complained of being very cold. I found that he had
a- wound on the left side of the neck, at th 3 back part.
Referring to the wound, I said to him, " flow came you
to do such a foolish thing ?" He made no reply. I then
expressed a hope that he would recover, but he said,
"Oh, no ! Oh, no ! I sha'n't." Dr. Holland came
shortly afterwards, and, with myself, thinking it de•
sirable to have the best surgical assistance, we sent for
Sir Benjamin Brodie and Mr. Liston. Both those gen.
tlemen attended, but nothing could be done for the de-
ceased, who gradually sank, and died at twenty minutes
to twelve o'clock on Monday night. I have examined
the wound. It is a very deep one—not necessarily fatal,
however, either in its nature, or in the loss of blood
arising therefrom, but, coupled with his condition of
mind and the state of his health, it was likely to prove
fatal. I have no doubt whatever that the wound was
the cause of death. I have had some experience in cases
of insanity. Ido not feel satisfied that a person who
commits suicide is necessarily a person of weak mind.
Whenever the organ of destructiveness is peculiarly
acted on by inflammation, any individual suffering
therefrom might commit violence oa himself or some
other person.

The CORONER—Are you aware that the deceased was
under any apprehension of pecuniary difficulties? lir.
Ashburner —I know that his pecuniary circumstances
have preyed upon his mind; but it was entirely owing to
hallucination. He had an impression that he was liable
to be arrested in the streets. It was a delusion altoge-
ther, as I happen to know myself that he had large
balances in the hands of both his bankers. In fact, his
circumstances were in an excellent state.
The CORONER—Do you know whether deceased ha
lately spoken of the act of self-destruction? Dr. Ash-
burner—Of my own knowledge Ido not ; but a few
months ago he did speak to Lady Webster on the sub-
ject, and eight or nine years ago I know myself he fre-
quently alluded to it. He appeared to be under an
hallucination on the subject.
A Juror—You spoke of a poisoned instrument which
deceased constantly kept near him. Do you think he
destroyed himself with that instrument? Dr. Ashburner
—No; the instrument alluded to was a small dagger,
which Sir Henry always kept about him. He did not
have it with him on the Continent, but on his return on
Friday last he obtained possession of it. I am quite
sure the wound, from the effects of which deceased died,
was not inflicted by that instrument. It was evidently
inflicted by the clasp knife which was found open near
the deceased.
Henry Holland, M.D., of Lower Brook-street, exa•
mined—l saw Sir Henry on Friday evening last, having
been called in to attend Lady Webster. He then told
me that he wished to consult me himself on the follow-
ing morning; I accordingly saw him on Saturday. He
complained of general depression of spirits, and told me
that he had had a fit in Paris. I noticed a great change
in his manner from former years. He appeared much
reserved, and it was with same difficulty I could obtain
answers from him. The impression which I formed from
my visit was, that his brain had undergone some marked
alteration. His general condition, however, did not
lead me to any apprehension of suicide ; and neither I
nor the other medical gentlemen who met on Sunday
considered that the state of his mind, though impaired,
would justify placing him under any particular restraint.
Metcalfe Babington, surgeon, of Chester-street, Gros-
venor-square, examined—l have known the deceased
three or four years, and have attended him professionally
during that time. I saw him by appointment on Sa-
turday last, on his return from Paris, and then noticed
a very great change in his manner from the time of
his leaving England. He complained of great de-
pression of spirits, appeared thinner, and his general
habits were evidently much altered. He said his life
was a bore to him, and that he wished to leave the
world. He said he thought he should take a house in the
Regent's-park, and have only a man and a woman to at-
tend upon him. lie gave me at the same time an in-
distinct account of a fit which he said he had had in
Paris, but it was by no means clear to me that he had
actually had any fit at all. He told me that he had very
bad dreams constantly. I advised him to have some one to
sleep in the same room with him. From my observation
of him I afterwards told Lady Webster that I thought
very unfavourably of his symptoms, and that he ought to
be looked after. I subsequently saw Mr. Henry Web-
ster, who, touching his head, said he feared his father's
brain was affected. I said it certainly was so, and that
care must be taken of him. There were no specific di-
rections given not to leave the deceased alone, as Dr.
Hol lend, Dr. Ashburner, and myself all agreed'that such a
course would be calculated to excite him very much, and
perhaps cause the very thing we were anxious to guard
against. I fully believe, that although perhaps not in-
sane, the deceased was of unsound mind at the time of
bis death. lam aware that he had an hallucination on
the subject of the loss of his property. Otl •the sou-

PRICE SD.

turday night, when I saw him, he told me that I must
attend him as a friend, for that be did not know if he
should ever be able to pay me my fees.
The age of the deceased (54 years) and his rank in
the army (Lieutenant•Colunel, unattached) having been
proved,

- The CORONER, after a few remarks, said he thought it
would be useless to pursue the case further, after the
evidence given by the various medical gentlemen as ti
the deceased's state of mind, and
The jury assenting, immediately returned a verdict to
the following effect:—" That the deceased, Sir IL
Webster, died from the effect of wounds inflicted on him-
self while labouring under temporary insanity."
The deceased was the second son of the late Sir God-
frey Webster, Bart., and brother to the present holder
of that title; his mother was the late Lady
She was the daughter and heiress of Mr. Richard Vassal,
of the island of Jamaica, and married Sir Godfrey in
1786. The marriage was dissolved in 1799 by Act of
Parliament, and in the same year she married Lord Hol-
land. Sir llt nry entered the army in ISIO, being then
twenty years of age. In 1831 he was promoted to the
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, but since ho attained his
majority in 1826, would appear to have been on
the unattached list. In 1815 he was nominated a
Knight of Wilhem cf the Netherlands. This honour, it
appears, was conferred in consideration of the services
weich he rendered while acting as aide-de-camp to the
Prince of Orange at Waterloo. In 1832 he was nomi-
nated a Knight Commander of the Tower and Sword of
Portugal, and in 1835 received the order of that of San
Bento d'Avis. In 1843 he received the only English
title which he held, that of a Knight Bachelor by patent.
He was decorated with a medal for Waterloo, and would,
of course, have been entitled to the Peninsular one had
he lived. The deceased married, some years since, the
only daughter and heiress of the late Mr. Samuel Bed-
dington.

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
LIVERPOOL, APRIL 21.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Birkenhead, Lanca-
shire, and Cheshire Junction, lls. 3d. dis.-Birmingham and
Dudley, 51,( p.-Chester and Birkenhead, New 20/. Shares,
dis.-Eastern Counties, 19-Ditto, York Extension, 16s.
3d. dis.-East Lancashire, New (scrip), Bs. 9d. p.-Edin-
burgh and Glasgow,72%-Ditto, Halves, 9 p.-HuddersAeld
Canal and Railway, 1% p.-Liverpool, Crosby, and South-
port, 1% p.-London and North-Western, 172-Manchester
and Leeds, 32/. Shares (late Extension), 1% p.-Ditto, Fifths
(West Riding Union), A p.-Manchester, Sheffield, and
Lincolnshire, Eighths, 2 dis.-Manchester and Southamp-
ton, % dis.-Midland, 116-Ditto, 404 Shares, 3% p.-Ditto,
New, 2% p.-Newcastle and Carlisle, 110-North Stafford-
shire, 2A, p.-North-Western, dis.-Shrewsbury and
Birmingham, 94125. 3d. Shares (B), % dis. ex int.-Dublin
and Drogheda, Thirds, 5% dis.
MANCHESTER, AMU. 21.
STOCK EXCHANGE..-The sales are-Atnbergate, Notting-
ham, Boston, and Eastern Junction, %44-East Lancashire
(late B. and P.), New (scrip), %-lladdersfield and Man.
chester Railway andranal, 1%-Ditto, Thirds, %-Leeds
and Thirsk, Preferential, 11-16 p.-Liverpool, Manchester,
and Newcastle Junction, 1%-London and North-Western (Manchester and Birmingham), Quarters (C), 5% c.-Man-
chester and Leeds, Halves H. and S.), 1% p.---Ditto, Fifths (late West Riding Union), 11-16-Manchester_ Sheffield,
and Lincolnshire, Eighths, 2-Manchester and Southarnp
ton, 19s. c.-North Staffordshire, 23-16-Northern Counties
Union, 21/t- Oldham Alliance, 5-16-Preston and Wyre,
Sixths, 5%-Shropshire Union, 1%-South Yorkshire, Don-
caster, and Goole, 5-16.
LEEDS, APRIL 21.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Ambergate, Notting-
ham, and Boston, 16s. dis.-Eastern Counties, York Exten-
sion, 15s. 6d. dis.-East Lancashire, New, 2s. 6d. p.-Ditto,
New Scrip, 7s. 6d. p.-East and West Yorkshire, 9s. dis.-
Leeds and Dewsbury, New Extensions, Scrip (pink), par-
Leeds and Thirsk, Preference, 13s. p.-London and Brighton,
and South Coast, Fifteenths, 2s. 6d. p.-Malton and Driffield
Junction, 3s. 6d. dis.-Manchester and Leeds, Halves (late
Hud. and Shelf.), 1% 0.-Ditto, Fifths, 4% p.-Ditto, 32/.
Shares (late Extensions), 255. p.-Ditto, West Riding
Union, 14s. p.-Midland, Preference, 21. Is. 3d. p.- New-
castle and Berwick, New, 254 p.-North British, Extension
(scrip), 10s. p.-North Staffordshire, 2 p.-Northern
Counties Union, 2% c. dis.-North-Western, 375. dis.-
Shropshire Union, /5/4 dis.-Wharfdale Junction, 165. 6d. dis.
SHEFFIELD, APRIL 21.
STOCK EXCHANOK.-The sales are-Manchester, Sheffield,
404 I,eincolnshire (Grimsby and Sheffield), 6% dis.-Ditto,
124 IN. Shares, 1% dis.-Midland, New, 2 p.-North-
Western, 345, dis.-York and Newcastle, 16s. p.
HULL, Aran, 21.
STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Eastern Counties,
York Extension, 16s. 3d. dis.-North British, Halves, 151 i
-Ditto, Quarters, 675. 6d.-Ditto, Extension (scrip), 10s. 3d.
p.-Ditto, Thirds, 60s. 6d.-East Lancashire, New (scrip),
7s. p.-North-Western, 116 dis.-Shropshire Union, 325. dis.
GLASGft, APRIL 20.
STOCK EXCIIANGE.-Tlie sales are-Direct Bombay and
Madras, 35.-Dundee and Northern Junction, 40s. 6d. -East
Indian, 35.-East Lothian Central, 51s-Edinburgh and
Bathgate, 7%-Edinburgh and Glasgow, 711.-Ditto, Quar-
ter4.l73A-Idinburgh and Perth ( New Co.), Zss. 6d.-
Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and .111-, 59142-Ditto, Halves, No. 2,
61. 175.-Ditto, Quarters (5 per cent. guar.), 15,7- Glasgow,
Dumfries, and Carlisle, 5/. 65.-Glasgow and Garnkirk, 394
-Manchester and Southampton, 225. 6c1.-Midland, Halves,
4/. 45.-Scottish Central, 25.

LLO YD'S SHIPPING.
LONDON, Aram 22.—Wind N.N.E.—Fresh breeze, and fine
clear weather.
DEAL, APRIL 21.—Wind N.N.E., light.—Arrd. Unique,
Clark, Rio Grande; John Anderson, Lawrence, Porto Rico':
Christina, Ran, Havannah, for Amsterdam ; St. Croix, awl-
field, Honduras; Mercurius, Suhr, Bahia, for Hainburgh.
Slit. Swift, Nevis; General Taylor. New York; Intrepid and
Avon, Quebec. 30 min. past 7—There is a report of guns in
the offing, and several boats have proceeded to the eastward.
Light wind from N.E., nearly calm, and thick weather.
FOWEY, APRIL 20. Wind S.E.—Sld. Augusta, Quebec.
LIVERPOOL, Arial. 2l.—Wind S.W. to N.N.E.—Arrd.
Berkley, Nickols, Sierre Leone; Leonora, Thompson, Deme-
rara; Lena, Nagle, Trinidad ; Freeman, White, Jamaica;
Swan, Taylor, New Orleans ; Durham, Daveson, Charleston ;
Athol, Long, Calcutta; Jane. Callao; Walga, Brown,
Patagonia; Ann, Johnston, Maranham, sld. 12th ult. ; John
Farnworth, Jamaica; Rival, Petersen, Nasrau ; Indepen-
dence, Harper, New Orleans; Parthenon, Woodbury, ditto;
Margaret, Hardcastle, ditto; Edwin, Pierce, Savannah ;
Prince of Wales, Brown, Philadelphia; Ann Powell, Brown,
ditto; Ann Powell, Tucker, Caminho. ' Sld. John, Mediu,
Calcutta; Menzies, Bombay; Trenton, New Orleans; Jane,
New York; Minstrel, Boston; Wallace, Quebec; Fellowship,
Prince Edward's Island. Off port, Atlas (barque). The
Romp, from Malaga to Liverpool, was capsized in a white
squall on the 2d inst., let. 37 long 10, crew, except the
master, saved.

INvERKEITHING, APRIL 16.—S1d. Euphrates, Valparaiso.
MIDDLESBOROUGH, APRIL 19.—Sid. Penelope, Quebec.
GREENOCK, APRIL 20.—The Concord, of Plymouth, Porto
Cabello to Liverpool, was abandoned on the 24th ult., lat.
44, Ton. 39, dismasted and leaky; clew taken off by the
Quebec arrived in the Clyde.
CLYDE, APRIL 20.—Sid. St. Mary, Jamaica; Perthshire,
New York.
BILLMULLET, APRIL 19.—The Thomas Rising, from Lon-
don, got on shore in Ross Bay on the 16th ult., and has since
arrived at Westport, with cargo damaged.
MIDDLEBOROUGH, APRIL 19.—The Johns, of Shields,
struck on the bar, and has been towed to Stockton.
OFF PLYMOUTIL—Wind S.W.—Victoria, Singapore.
GLOUCESTER, Amur. 21. —Wind W.—Sld. British Queen,
Quebec.
NEWPORT, Amur. 21.—Wind W. Sld. Pearl, Sierra
Leone.

FALMOUTH, Amu. 21.—Wind S.S.E —Off port, Earl of
Durham, Anderson, Sierra Leone, left 20th of February, and
proceeded for Liverpool ; Vulture, Prvrnm, Bahia.
WAitaarirourr, APRIL 20.—Arrd. fiedren, Kearney, New
Orleans. The La Grange, for New York, has put back,
leaky, having been on shore on Granfield Point, and is dis-
charging.
BRISTOL, APRIL 21.—Wind N.W. —Arrd. Maria, BaLsdon,
Barbadoes.—Sld. 19th. Idas, St. lOU's.
Dunr.ix, APRIL 20.—Wind W.—Sld. Industry, Quebec.
KINGSTOWN, APRIL, 20.—Arrd. Garonne, Dunn, Antigua ;
Hugh Fletcher, Trinidad.
LIMERICK, APRIL 20.—Wind N.W.—Sld. Albion, Quebec.
Siiimaps, Aran. 27.—Wind S. to S.E.—Sld. Edmond,
Castle, Quebec; Brodrick, St. John's, New Brunswick;
Xenophon, Picton.
LONDONDERRY, APRIL 14.—Arrd. Royal Saxon, New Or-
leans; Pioneer, Philadelphia; Progress, St. John's. 16, Chris-
tiana, Quebec. 17, Collingwood, Quebec; Creole, Phila-
delphia.
OFF SALCOMMI, APRIL 20.—Astarte, St. Vincents.
LONDONDERRY, APRIL 12.—Arrd. Ann, Scott, New York;
13, Woodbine, New Orleans; Zelica, Philadelphia; May-
flower, Graham, Philadelphia; Sun, Meenkly, New York;
15, Montpelier, Stackpole, Philadelphia; 16, K H. Douglas,
Nerrill, Baltimore.

COMMITTEE OF PRIVY COUNCIL FOR TRADE.
Office of Committee of Privy Council for Trade,
Whitehall, April '2lst, 1847.
Sir,—l am directed by the Lords of the Committee of
Privy Council for Trade, to transmit to you, for the infor-
mation of the committee for managing the affairs of Lloyd's,
and in order that publicity may be given to the same, the
accompanying printed copy of two Acts, passed by the
Congress of the United States of America, "To regulate the
carriage of passengers in merchant vessels of whatever nation."
together with a circular annexed from the Secretary of the
Treasury to collectors and other o fficers of the United States
on this subject.—l am, Sir, &c.
(Signed) J. MACGREGOR.
To Wm. Dobson, Esq., Secretary, Lloyd's.

Llama cloth, the most fashionableire
[ADVERTISEAIENT.] ahleeptoretsenotf
appear-
price, which, with its —The
Registered
the same moderate
and approaching seasons,fsiness
andceogi itseforr
gentlemanlyeb dothPt
ba37 e,h
specialas securedcon jmsauncd,h gtnuersneerua
theirl
thlgthhnaess
sbeese nmade
Prince
Albert, Prince Gee
the Duke
George of
of
Cambridge,
Wellington,P r ince Eadnidv atrhde Of
several Saxe
Weimar, his Grace
royal visitors to the British Court. In London it earl only
be purchased of the patentees, 11. .T. and 1). Nicoll, Court
tailors, 114, Regent-street, and 22, Coruhill. Agents for
Liverpool, Dawbarn and Son, 80ld-street ; for Dublin, Geo.
Macdona, Molesworth- street ; for BirininOam, Wareing and
Son, New-street; for Edinburgh, Christie and Son, George-
street; and the principal tailors in other large towns.
GREAT FIRE AT 1311CIIAREST--WC have seen a
private letter, which arrived last night from Leipsic, in
which it is stated, that on the evening of the 13th an ex-
press came In front Vienna, bringing accounts of a great fire
at Bucharest, in Wallachia. The fire had consumed a large
portion of the city, but had not yet reached the quarter in
which the warehouses of the principal merchants are situ-
ated, although several warehouses in the city had been burned
down. The consternation in Leipsic was very great, and the
next post was looked for with the deepest anxiety. Pro-
perty, we believe, is not insured in Bucharest. There are in
Leipsic just now many purchasers from that city, and
the
intelligence which the express brought from Vienna,was
that the bankers there would not for the present accept any
_
drafts made upon them by Bucharest;4 erebant& Zilan.
cheater &rpm&