The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-16 00:00:00

THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 16, 1850.

THE SUICIDE FROM THE YORK
COLUMN.
CORONER'S INQUEST.
Yesterday afternoon an inquest was held by Mr. Bed-
ford, the coroner for Westminster, in the board-room of
St: Martin's workhouse, on the body of M. Henri Ste.
phan, a French, gentleman, who committed suicide on
ruesday morning last, by precipitating himself from the
Duke of York's column, in St. James's Park.

The circumstances attending this most spelling act of
elf-destruction excited considerable interest, and the in-
quest-room was crowded.
The jury proceeded to view the body of the deceased
gentleman, which presented a most frightful appearance,
and on their return to the inquest•room the following
evidence was taken:—

Mr. William Fish stated that he was the hall-keeper
at ber Majesty's Theatre, a::c1 that he knew the de-
ceased, Henri Josephe Stephan, very well. He was 38
years of age, and held the situation of horn-player in
the orchestra of her Majesty's Theatre. He saw the
leceased on Monday last, as it formed part of his duty
to check the attendance of every person engaged in the
theatre. The deceased then looked very dull, but wit-
ness had no conversation with him. During the whole
Jf the present opera season he had appeared duller than
he was last year. Had seen the body and identified it
as that of M. llenri Stephan.
M. Emile Petit, a brother-in-law of the deceased, re-
aiding in Gerrard-street, Soho, said that he was em-
ployed as under ballet-master at her Majesty's Theatre,
and lived with the deceased. Deceased had been very
dull and unwell for a long period. At times he did not
think that he was rational, as he could get no distinct
answer from him. He frequently complained of a pain
in his chest, and was confused in his mind. He had a
good situation, and his circumstances were not bad. He
had not been disappointed in his circumstances.
To a Juror—Knew of no cause whatever for unhappi-
ness, as he held a good situation.
William Smith, of No. 9, Carey-street, Vincent-
square, stated that he was the keeper of the York
column, and saw the deceased on Tuesday morning, at
about a quarter-past ten. He looked at a board affixed
to the column, and asked him what was the charge.
Witness answered that it was sixpence, upon which the
deceased took out his purse, and handed witness a three-
penny-piece and threepence in halfpence. When de-
ceased asked the question witness saw nothing peculiar
in his manner. Witness then gave another man the
money, and followed the deceased up the column, as it was
his usual practice to do so. When deceased got to the
'op of the column he immediately turned round in the
opposite direction to the door, and was out of sight or
witness in a moment. He was gone over before witness
had time to reach the top, and therefore he did not see
how he got over. The object of witness going up was
the prevention of accidents. Before he was aware of
what had occurred, his attention was drawn to some-
thing from the alarm given by the persons below. The
deceased was not up more than an instant before it oc-
curred. The railings round the column are more than
four feet in height.
By a Juror—lt would not be possible for any person
to overbalance himself, and fall over the railings.
Mr. H. Hutton, of No. 56, Mortimer-street, Caven-
dish-square, bookseller and stationer, deposed that on
Tuesday morning, at about halt-past ten, he was walk-
ing near the York Column, in Waterloo-place, and on
looking up saw a man put his legs over the railings of
the column. He rested for a moment on the stone ledge
in front, then pushed himself forwards, and precipitated
himself from it. In his descent-he turned round two or
three times, and then struck against the base of the co-
lumn, finally falling on the foot pavement with his arm
under him. A large pool of blood was immediately
formed from the injuries he had sustained. He was quite
dead when witness got up to him.
Mr. Hutchinson, of New-street, Fetter-lane. also
stated that he saw the deceased in his descent. He was
then about 24 feet from the top. The first intimation
be received was from seeing a man's bat come down.
The deceased fell head-foremost on the pavement.
Mr. John Bainbridge, surgeon, said that he had made
a post mortim examination of the body of the deceased.
The forehead was much bruised, the right arm was
broken. The bottom of the right foot was also consi-
derably injured, and some of the smaller bones protruded.
There were besides several bruises on the abdomen, and
both thighs, and the left leg was fractured near to the
knee. The spine was broken and protruded, and on
opening the chest, he found that every rib *as broken.
There were besides several other extensive injuries, any
one of which was sufficient to cause death. He bad
examined the brain, which was perfectly healthy, and he
could find no trace of incipient disease.
The jury deemed any further evidence unnecessary as
to the cause of death.

4 0 0
10 0 0
4 12 6 4%

In answer to• the question of the CORONER,
Smith, the keeper of the column, said that no person
was allowed to ascend the column on the day of the
fatal occurrence, but a great number had been admitted
on Wednesday.
The CORONER then sumraed up the evidence with
great care.

The Jury returnei a verdict—" That the deceased
came by his death from injuries received by throwing
himself from the York Column while in a state of tempo-
rary insanity."
The Foreman said the jury also wished to add that it
was their unanimous opinion that with a view to the pre-
vention of similar occurrences in future the column should
have the protection of an iron railing on the same prin-
ciple as had been adopted at the Monument in the City
of London.

The CORONER thought, after this event, such a re-
commendation would hardly be required ; but, at any
rate, it should be forwarded to the proper authorities.

THE HEALTH OF LONDON.
(From the Return of the Registrar-General.)
The deaths registered in the metropolitan districts
in the week ending last Saturday were, 857. Taking
ten corresponding weeks of the years 1840-9, it
appears that the number now returned is less than
in the years 1847.9 ; that it is also less than in 1843,