The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-03 00:00:00

MELANCHOLY

HUSBAND AND WIFE.

Yesterday 11r:Baker. held an inquest at the King's
Arms, Prospect-place, Bethnal• green, on the body of
Mr. Charles Anderson, aged 53 years. It appeared
by the evidence of several witnesses that deceased
had formerly carried on the business of a master
baker, in the parish of Hackney. He subsequently
sold the shop and trade for 1,0001, and with his pre-
viously acquired gains retired into private life. After
enjoying himself for two or three years, deceased became
restless, and desirous of seeing foreign countries. He
accordingly engaged with the captain of the Thames,
East Indiaman, to accompany him to India and China,
in the character of ship-steward. He proceeded thither,
leaving his wife at home with an annual allowance. He
returned to England about two years ago, having, by
some untoward means, expended the greater portion
of his little fortune, with the remnant of which he
again entered into business, at Bexley, in Kent.
Here misfortune completed what extravagance
had begun, and, by an unlimited credit to his
poorer customers, he was reduced to beggary. On
quitting Bexley he became an inmate of the Hackney
union-workhouse, where he continued until he procured
a situation as journeyman, at Mr. Beak's, West-street,
Hackney. Whilst there he commenced a system of
inebriety, which a short time since led to his dis-
charge from Mr. Beak's service, in whose house he lived
at the time. Tuesday se'nnight his wife died suddenly,
and it being alleged that her death had been occa•
sioned through his ill-treatment, an inquest was held
on Friday last only on her body, when, there being no
evidence to substantiate such a statement, the jury re-
turned a verdict of " Natural Death." This circum-
stance had preyed much upon deceased's mind, and since
that day he has indulged unusually in intoxicating
drink. On Monday morning last he called upon a Mrs.
Buncker, at Stepney-green, to whom he stated that he
had not the means to defray the expenses of his wife's
funeral, and that his landlord, although he held
possession of his goods, had refused to advance him a
sum sufficient for the purpose ; and said he should
in despair either " hang or drown himself." She
remonstrated with him upon the subject, and advanced
him 12s. to pay for the church-ground. He then left
her, and heard no of him until she was informed that his
lifeless body had been discovered floating in the Re-
gent's Canal on Wednesday morning, near the Bethnal-
green workhouse. Mrs. Buncker said she had no doubt
he had committed suicide whilst under mental excite-
ment. James Spring, a bargeman, deposed to finding
the body; deceased was quite dead, but warm. There
being no evidence to show how he camesinto the water,
the jury, under the Coroner's direction, returned a ver-
dict of " Found drowned."

DETERMINED SUICIDE BY A
FOREIGNER.

On Thursday Mr. G. L Mills held an inquest at the
Load of Hay, Hampstead, on the body of a foreigner,
name unknown, about twenty-five years of age, who
committed a most determined act of self-destruction, as
detailed in the subjoined evidence.
Sarah Preston, a charwoman, deposed that as she was
passing through Park-fields, Haverstock-hill, which was
adjoining that in which the late Mr. Delarue was mur-
dered, she saw the deceased with his feet in the ditch,
and his head leaning on the bank. Blood was oozing
from his mouth. She instantly called to a gentleman
who was reading a book, who proved to be Mr. Gundy,
surgeon, Gower-place, Euston-square,: who pronounced
him dead, and desired her to fetch a constable, which
she did.
Constable John Baker, 284 S, was called by the last
witness to the spot where deceased lay. In his left hand
he grasped a pistol which be had recently discharged in
his mouth, and his right hand rested upon a second
pistol, charged with two bullets. Blood was flowing
from his mouth and he was warm, but he had been dead
some minutes.
The Inspector produced the pistols, which were of Pa-
risian make, and had brass barrels and percussion caps.
The stocks were branded with the date of 1553, and
were initialed A. F. E. L. G.
Frederick Matthews, a tailor, residing at No. 7, John-
street, Somers-town, statedi that, about one o'clock last
Tuesday, he met deceased walking along the fields, and
addressing him, said it was a fine morning, to which de-
ceased, with difficulty, and in a foreign accent, replied
" Yes," He accompanied him, without speaking more,
to the field where he was found dead. Shortly after
leaving him he heard the report of a pistol.
Mr. Frazer, a juror, said that on the morning of Tues-
day he was standing in the shop of Mr. Whitbread, a
baker, at the cornet' of Chalk road, when deceased came
in and bought a bun, 16:* which he gave in payment a
fremc piece. Having received the change,. he left the
shop laughing, because, in consequence of his not know-
ing English, he could make his wants known to Mr.
Whitbread by signs only.
The jury, who expressed it to he their belief that de-
ceased had been a military man, returned a verdict—
'l'hat he bad destroyed himself, but that there was no
evidence of his state of mind when he did so."

LAUNCH OF THE BULL-DGG STEAM-FRIGATE AT
CHATHAM.—This steam• frigate was launched yesterday
at Chatham Dockyard. She has been constructed
with great care, and is built with Honduras maho-
gany, African teak, and well-seasoned oak. The en-
gines for this vessel, manufactured by Messrs. Rennie
and Company, are two of 250-horse power each.
The length of the engine-room is 47 feet, and the width
is 33 feet 8 inches, depth 21 feet, and the diameter
of the paddle-wheels 26 feet 6 inches. Her tonnage of
coals room is 408.16. Registered tonnage, 461.77.
Her armament consists of two 42-pounders, 84 cwt.,
10 feet in length ; and two 68-pounders, 64 cwt., 9
feet in length ; and two carronades 42 pounders, 22
cwt. each. About five minutes before one o'clock the
vessel went beautifully off the stocks, amidst the hearty
greetings of the spectators ; on each quarter of the
slip booths-had been erected for the visitors, and were
occupied by many ladies and gentlemen, among them the
Right Hon. the Earl of Dundonald, Captain Superinten-
dent Shirreff, with many families of the town and neigh-
bourhood. Mrs. Angela Brown, wife of Colonel Brown.
R.E., and who is grandson of Admiral Lord Rodney,
named the vessel. The band of the Royal Marines was
in attendance, and as the ship glided off the slope struck
up the National Anthem. A great number of civilians
an military availed themselves of permission to, be
launched in the ship.
THE LATE LIEUT. J. A• SETON.—We are just in-
formed that this officer (late of the 11th Hussars;, who
lingered for some time after the fatal wound he received in
the duel near Portsmouth, did, two days previous to his
death, and in the presence of-his physician and a legal
friend execute his will, and sign the same in a firm hand,
by which he left to his wife, for her life, the whole of
the receipts of his estates, providing for his daughter's
use when required, and with the consent of her mother
and other guardians and the executors, a sum of 2,0001.;
and at the decease of her mother the estates absolutely.
" The harvest home" at Shillinglee Park, the seat
of the Earl of Winterton, was celebrated on Tuesday
last with its usual festivities. The tables laid out in
the park groaned with the weight of plum-pudding, beef,
mutton, Between 200 and 300 of his Lordship's la-
bourers, with their wives and children, sat down to them.
The Earl and Countess and children, arid the Countess
Dowager of Winterton, were on the ground, and it was
pleasing to behold the youthful scions of a noble house
running about to see that every one was amply served,
and learning to take delight in ministering to the honest
pleasures of the labouring classes.
THE :MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE AT lIOUNSLO,
BARRACKS.—HOUNSLOW, THURSDAY EVENIN.---.111!
great reserve maintained by all the barrack,
ties,
ever since the distressing occurrence on Sunday Chas
as to the state of Quartermaster Thomas 1 arleton,
been this day most fully carried out, and all that has
been allowed to transpire is the fact that the wounded
man is not so well to-day as he was on Wednesday.
INCREASE OF WORKMEN IN THE WEST INDIA DOCKS.
—The increase of shipping in the West India Docks has
created a demand for labourers within the last fort-
night unparalleled since the year 1821. Within that
short period upwards of one hundred and ten homeward-
bound vessels have entered the docks. All is bustle au
it
activity, and is calculated that the number of men who
procured employment in the docks on Thurs 'ay consi-
derably exceeded six thousand.
OLYMPIC TIIEATRE.—This little temple of the
drama opens for the season on Monday next, under the
guidance of Miss Kate Howard, aided by that popular son of
Momus George Wild. The lessee states that she will use her
utmost endeavours to restore the theatre to the high position
it once held in general estimation. An excellent company
has been engaged, and pieces from popular writers are
promisei, so that there is every prospect of a successful
SMOIII