The Sun.
London, England, 1840-10-26 00:00:00

CORONER'S INQUEST.

SUICIDE OF A COUNTY MAGISTRATE.—On Satur-
day afternoon an inquest was held before Mr. Higgs,
deputy coroner for Westminster, and a highly respect-
able jury, at No. 15, Stratton-street, Piccadilly, on the
body of Mr. Henry Rowles, a gentleman of independent
property, who destroyed himself under the following
circumstances on Friday evening :
Edward Easton, footman to the deceased, said, that
on Friday evening, about half-past seven o'clock, he was
in the servants' hall, and heard the report of a gun ;
and on going up into the apartment usually occupied by
the deceased, he found him absent. He then called
to the housemaid, who came and assisted in searching
for him. He then proceeded to the deceased's dress-
ing-room, and found the door shut ; the room was dark.
Mr. Blackall and Mr. Henry Holland' were then called
in. There was a strong smell of powder in the room.
The last time he saw the deceased alive was about half-
past six, when he had dinner. He (witness) did not
proceed farther than the dressing-room. The deceased
was at home all day, and had only arrived from Maiden-
head on Wednesday.

Mr. Henry Holland deposed that he accompanied
Mr. Blackall, at whose house he was on a visit, on
Friday evening, to the deceased's, in consequence of
the information brought by the housemaid of the de-
ceased. Having searched several rooms, and called
loudly for the decased by name, they went to the water-
closet, when, on opening the door, they were horror-
struck at finding the deceased on the seat in a reclining
position, quite dead, his head being literally shattered
to atoms. In the deceased's left hand was grasped a
double-barrelled gun, the muzzle pointed upwards. On
the ground was a boot-hook, with which it was sup-
posed deceased had discharged both barrels. Over de-
ceased's head, on a shelf, was a wax taper still burning.
Elizabeth Stoddart, the housemaid, confirmed the
testimony of the first witness as to hearing the report of
the gun. Deceased had desired her not to let him be
disturbed, as he was very busy, and had a deal of writ-
ing to do.

Mr. Frederick Blackall deposed that he was son-in-
law of the deceased, and resided in Charles-street, Gros-
venor-square. On Wednesday last he was in the com-
pany of the deceased for some time, during which de-
ceased appeared very dejected, and, on being asked if he
were unwell, said he was very well in body, but was not
able to exert himself in business as he formerly used.
Witness tried to cheer him up, and left deceased with
his son. On Friday afternoon, about five o'clock, be
called at deceased's residence, but was told by the foot-
boy, Easton, that his master was not at home, on which
witness went home and dined with Mr. Holland ; and
at half-past seven, on being fetched by the housemaid,
he found the deceased as described.

Mr. Launcelot Holland, of Beckenham, Kent, de-
posed that be had been intimately acquainted with the
deceased. On the 9th inst. deceased came to witness's
house in a post-chaise in a very disturbed state of
mind, and for some time was unable to speak ; but at
last deceased said he had met with a great misfortune,
and, on being pressed as to what it was, he said he had
not slept for several weeks, and his health had also
failed him; in addition to which both his public and
private business troubled him, particularly the city por-
tion. Witness recommended him not to trouble him-
self about those matters, and deceased, after staying a
short time, returned home. A few days afterwards he
received a note from Mrs. Bowles, requesting, in a most
urgent manner, that witness would come to Stratton-
street, as the deceased was in a very low state, and she
did not know what to do with him. Witness accord-
ingly went, and deceased on seeing him became more
calm. Deceased was (33 years of age, and in early life
had been a very active man, and his inability to main-
tain his usual activity now appeared to have depressed
his spirAs.
By the Jury—Deceased was a Director of the

Rhymny Ironworks in South Wales, and also of St.
Katherine's Dock Co:npany, besides being Chairman of
the Globe Fire Insurance Company, the duties of which
occupied a great portion of his attention.
It further transpired that the deceased gentleman,
while carrying on an extensive business as a builder.
had erected the Drury-lane Theatre now standing, and
several other metropolitan public edifices.
The jury declared themselves satisfied with the evi-
dence that had been brought before them, and, after a
short consultation, returned a verdict ot—Temporary
Insanity.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET

THE PICCADILLY SALOON.—Henry A. Beale was
summoned by the police, before Mr. LONG, on the
ground that he, being the keeper of the Saloon, No.
22.2, Piccadilly, where refreshments and provisions are
sold and consumed, did, on the 18th October last, know-
ingly permit prostitutes to meet and remain there.
Mr. Wont ner attended for the defence, and by way of
excuse for the non-attendance of the alleged defendant,
stated that he was then lying ill in bed.
Inspector Baker stated that he went to the Saloon on
Sunday morning between twelve and one o'clock on the
18th October, and, on gaining admission, saw about
thirty persons, male and female, assembled. About eigh-
teen were women, and of that number he knew at least
half-a-dozen were prostitutes.
Police-sergeant Upall confirmed the Inspector's
statement.
After further evidence was heard—
Mr. LONG was of opinion that the evidence was to a
certain extent defective ; and though he was of opinion
that the safest course in the present instance was to dis-
miss the summons, yet if another case came before him
with more complete evidence, he should certainly come
to a different decision.
The summons was then dismissed.