The Sun.
London, England, 1848-06-29 00:00:00

SUICIDE OF A LADY.

A case of suicide, under circumstances of a peculiarly
painful nature (and connected with which rumour speaks
of facts still more distressing), took place at Bideford on
the afternoon of Wednesday last.
The unhappy victim of her own rashness is Mrs. Mary
Madeline Bourmaster Douglas, aged 39, wife of Major
Douglas, of the Royal Infantry, daughter of the :late
I General Sir William Dixon, and sister of Capt. Dixon,
of the Caledonia flag-ship, Plymouth. She had been
married to Major Douglas about twenty-one years; and
the fruit of their union was ten children, seven of whom
survive their ill-fated parent.
The deceased had been in India with her gallant hus-
band almost ever since their marriage, and only returned
therefrom to her native shores about twelve months ago
(on the ground of ill-health). Major Douglas (hastened
home unexpectedly, it is said, by painful intelligence
which reached him abroad), landed at Southampton
some three weeks since, and posted immediately to
Exeter, where he met the deceased, with whom he re-
paired to this place, and engaged a suite of apartments
in the 114;h-street, where they were lodging when the
fatal event occurred.

Nothing particular happened, at all connected with the
sad catastrophe, until Thursday se'nnight, when the de-
ceased lady called at the shop of Mr. Joce, druggist, and
asked for a poison to destroy cats, mentioning prussic
acid. Mr. Joce had not a supply in stock, but sent out
to another druggist, from whom he procured an ounce
bottle, with which he furnished her, at the same time in-
forming her, in answer to her question, that it might be
mixed in milk. On this bottle (a small green one, with
a glass stopper) there was the usual printed label as it
came from the manufacturer--" Hydrocyanic acid :
Scheele's strength. Should be kept 'a welt-closed
bottle and in a cold place." On the following Monday
she called at Mr. Jove's, stating that she had accidentally
dropped the bottle and spilled its contents, and asking to
be supplied with a second quantity. Mr. Joce again sent
out, and obtained a similar bottle; which he sold the de-
ceased. This bottle was labelled as the other.
The deceased had appeared as usual up to the after-
noon of Wednesday, although the person with whom she
lodged deposed that she was frequently much dejected,
and that her manner often suggested to her doubts of
her perfect sanity. The family had all dined together
(Major and Mrs. Douglas and three of their children),
and deceased seemed in good spirits, and talked with her
husband with apparent pleasure of their proposed em-
barkation for India in October.
Soon after dinner, at nearly five o'clock, deceased rose
from the table suddenly, and went up stairs to her dress-
ing-room, and after the lapse of about half a minute
came hurriedly down, and rushed into the drawing-room,
where she immediately fell senseless on the floor.
Major. Douglas called for assistance, and the domestics
were instantly in attendance, and raised the unfortunate
lady to the sofa. Messengers were dispatched for a sur-
geon, and within five minutes Mr. T. Mackenzie Smith
(who chanced to be at home when the servant came) was
on the spot, and found life not quite extinct, but death
occurred within a minute of his arrival. The Major
showed the surgeon a bottle which he had taken from
the deceased's dressing-table, and on lookin at it he im-
mediately pronounced that it had contained prussic acid.
It was almost emptied, although its contents were suffi-
cient to have destroyed, not merely one, but
twenty lives.
Mr. Smith applied the stomach-pump, and the fluid dis-
lodged from the stomach sufficiently indicated the cause
of death, the peculiar odour of that deadly mixture be-
ing strongly betrayed.
On going to the dressing-room, Mr. Smith found on
the platform of the looking-glass upon the dressing-table
a pair of scissors, and the stopper and covering belong-
ing to the bottle, so that there could be no doubt that the
infatuated lady precipitated herself from her husband's
presence, and instantly repaired to the fatal dose.—
Devonshire Chronicle.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS'
SCHOOLS.
ELECTION OF CHILDREN.
A general court of this institution was held at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, yesterday, for the
purpose of receiving the reports of the board of manage-
ment and the auditors, and electing fifteen children into
the schools; John Masterman, Esq., M.P., the president
of the society, occupied the chair.
The CHAIRMAN having formally announced the object
of the meeting,
Mr. Ness, the secretary, read the quarterly report,
from which it appeared that, taking into consideration
the depressed.condition of trade, very gratifying progress
had been made by the society. The funds had been in-
creased during the quarter by the addition of new dona-
tions and annual subscriptions to the amount of 1,000/.,
and the educational progress of the children, and general
goodness of their health, were referred to as being highly
satisfactory. The report also contained an earnest ap-
peal to the commercial body to come forward with that
energy of character for which they are distinguished to
support an institution so peculiarly their own, and one
which appeals to the best sympathies of human nature.
The subject of the building fund was also urged strongly
upon the attention of the meeting. It was stated that a
comparatively small sum had as yet been contributed,
not much over 6004, and an earnest exhortation was ad-
dressed to the stewards for the year, and the great body
of subscribers, to use their utmost exertions for the ac-
complishment of an object so desirable as the possession
of a building which should be the property of the
society and at the same time an evidence of the taste
and liberality of the commercial body.
At twelve o'clock the election commenced, and at
three o'clock the poll closed, for the result of which we
refer our readers to our advertising columns. The
fifteen children elected on this occasion complete the
number of fifty now enjoying the advantages of this ex-
cellent charity, and we cannot but congratulate the
society upon its having been able to accomplish so much
within the brief period of a year from the opening of
the schools.

At the conclusion of the proceedings a vote of thanks
was unanimously accorded to the chairman, and the
meeting separated.

LOYAL UNITED FRIENDS.—On Monday last the
twenty-sixth anniversary of this important social body
was celebrated at the White Conduit Tavern, Islington,
when above 400 members partook of a dinner, served
up in Mr. Rouse's excellent style. P. P. Watson (No.
Jo) presided as chairman, as did P. P. Shiers as deputy,
and were supported by several distinguished past and
present officers. After having done ample justice to the
good things provided for them by the liberality of the
stewards, and the cloth withdrawn, the usual loyal toasts
were given and responded to by the company. The Chair-
man, in a neat speech, gave " Prosperity to the Order
of Loyal United Friends." This was received with great
applause. Several other appropriate toasts were given,
and several songs sung, until about nine o'clock, when a
ball took place, which was graced by a large number of
ladies, and the evening's entertainments kept up until a
late hour, whey toe party broke up, evidently much
gratified with the day's proceedings.
TOTAL LOSS OF THE GIPSEY STEAMER.—ESCAPE
OF TIIE‘ CREW.—The particulars concerning the com-
plete loss of this unfortunate steamer, on a voyage from
the Thames to Bahia, in South America, have just been
received at Lloyd's, from which it appears that the cap-
tain, Mr. Lock, and the crew fortunately escaped, after
exerting every effort to save the vessel. She was manned
by a crew of ten in number, and on the 15th instant left
London for her destination in South America. In her
progress down channel she encountered a fearful gale
from the S.S.E. and laboured heavily. At length it
was found that she had sprung a leak, and the fuel
getting rather low, and it being hoped that the wea
Cher would moderate, sho was run into Falmouth on the
18th instant. On the day following she renewed the
voyage, and on the 22d, when about 70 or SO miles
west of the Scilly Isles, more tempestuous weather was
experienced. Her leakage considerably increased, and
it appearing very evident that she could not be kept
afloat by the pumps, it was resolved to run her for the
nearest port. This, however, was a work of no easy
accomplishment. The crew continued to work the
pumps with great vigour, in the hope of getting her
into port. In this, however, they failed. On the fol-
lowing day, the 23d, a pilot boat, named the Active,
belonging to St. Mary's, Scilly, fell in with the disabled
steamer, and the crew of the latter, finding not the
least chance remained of saving her, set to work to
rescue what stores they could from her, and having suc-
ceeded in the attempt, they then abandoned her, and
took shelter on board the Active. Wishing, however, to
know the fate of their vessel, they cruized about her for
three or four hours, when she gradually went down in
deep water. The pilot boat then made for St. Mary's,
and landed the captain and crew. The loss of the steamer
is considerable, but she is understood to have been insured
to some extent.

TUB SCOTTISH HOSPlTAL.—Yesterday at one a
quarterly court of the governors and supporters of the
Scottish Hospital was held at the office of the corpora-
tion, Craneecourt, Fleet-street, to receive the report of
the affairs for the quarter, ending June last, and " to
consider the propriety of erecting an asylum, in connec-
tion with the Hospital, for the reception of a certain
number or the whole of the pensioners to re-
side therein." The Duke of Argyle, the president, in
the chair. Major Adair, the secretary, read the report,
which showed that the sum paid in charity amounted to
1,5051. 15s. Bd., and
.that after deducting all necessary
expenses, the balance in hand was 299/. 14s. There was
received at the festival 2621. 10s. 2d. The report having
been received anti adopted, Dr. G. Webster, in reference
to the notice of motion, said that ho had spoken to se-
veral of his friends, who fully agreed with him as to the
necessity and importance of the proposition. They had
a fund in hand of 40,000/, part of which might be ap-
propriated to the erection of a suitable building where
their sged pensioners might reside.—(Hear, hear.) A
greed advantage would be derived in a sanitary, religious,
and moral point of view, as they would have rooms
which would be more convenient and better ventilated
than those they now occupy, while their clergy and me-
dical officers would be in a better position to afford their
services.—(Hear, hear.) He moved that a committee be
appointed to take the subject into consideration. Mr.
John Matheson, M.P., seconded the resolution. The
Duke of Argyle observed that it was of importance a
committee should be appointed. It appeared to him
that it was desirable to carry out the plan to some ex-
tent, as a large number of pensioners would have better
accommodation than they now have, and would be able
to enjoy greater comfort.—(Hear, hear.) The amount
of the expenses ought to be limited, and he thought it
would not be necessary to erect an ornamental building.
—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Donaldson, Mr. J. Stewart, &c.,
addressed the Court, when it was resolved that a com-
mittee should be appointed for the purpose in question.
The Duke of Argyle, Lord J. Stuart, Mr. James Ma
theson, M.P., The Chisholm, Mr. B. B. Cabbell,
Captain Lamont, &c., were on the committee. Thanks
were voted to his Grace, and the Court separated.
SLIGo ELECTION.—Mr. James Heatley, of London,
and Mr. John Ball, a son of Judge Ball, are candidates
for the vacant seat in Sligo.