The Sun.
London, England, 1818-12-16 00:00:00

PUBLICATIONS.

R. CLARKE'S TRAVELS—OCTAVO-EDITION,.
• Vols. VII. and VIII. ‘ ,
lian,i"m This Day were published,
,R.."ely printed in Octavo, and illustrated with Maps,
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RAVELS in GiILEcE, EGYPT, and the
art, tioLy I AND; being the Third Section of the Second
Afri:af TratiF in carious Countries of Europe, Asia, and

Py E. D. CLARKE, LL.D.
?tinted for T. Cadell and W. Davies, Strand.
Of whom may be bad,
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11 tor s Journey through Denmark, Sweden,. Lap...
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"t 1 "f Pete' bur h during the
*44 P.1.u1 g Tyranny of the

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ERMONS selected from the most EMINENT
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FQII. THE SUN.

ON, SUICIDE.

MR. EDITOR ~—The frequent recurrence of self-
destruction has become so great of late years (and
that in persons whose situations of life and cir-
cumstances it could scarcely be ekpdeted) makes
it in some measure necessary to investigate the
subject, and inqoire what are the particular causes
leading to it, and what are the remedies to' be
applied which may operate as preventatives. It
is a subject that, requires the attention of persons
more able to investigate it than myself; and I
trust, if what is here advanced should meet the
eye of any Gentlemen of leisure and understand-
ing, they will improve it. It is considered by the
generality of mankind that every case of Suicide
is occasioned by Insanity, or in other words, that
no person would destroy himself if in his proper
senses ; and the inclination to pity the distressed
survivors of. such unfortunate people, and a sort
of specious, ehsrity Which we almost naturally
imbibe, leads us frequently to coroclude that such
is truly the case ; thus by habit and sympathy we
become the apologista for this increasing evil, and
encouragers (I may utmost venture to assert) of
the unhappy devotees to it. IVithout any dispo-
sition to hurt the feelings of the surviving relatives
of such persons unnecessarily, I feel myself corn-
.pelled to proceed•in the inquiry, and to state what
appears to me to ,he the distinctions which exist
between confirmed,dases of Insanity, and such as
render the victims of Suicide amenable to that
Judge who alone judgeth righteously, and will in
no wise suffer those guilty persons to escape with
impunity, who daringly and presumptuously anti-
cipate their end by sell-destruction.
Cases of Insanity generally may be considered
such as where for imaginary evils a person de-
stroys himself—thus front illness or disordered in-
tellect a man of property may imagine he shall he
ruined or come to distress, orhas some apprehend-
ed afflictiOn'dwelling in' his own ideas, which is
alone excited by the perturbed state of his own
_mind, and has no probability or reality in itself,
or some unexpected affliction may so influence a
Man as in the moment of ph,rensy to destrity him-
self—or may • completely disorder the mind , and
'eventually end in self-destruction. But I cannot
think that every ..person who destroys himself—
because his 'affairs are disordered—or he has
sustained some overwhelming loss either in his
property, his family, or his 'reputation, can be
esteemed as insane at the time of the act—parti-
elderly when 'deliberate Steps are taken to put it
into effect—such as to fetch the weapon to exe-
cute it, or to secure themselves front public ob,
servation. I very' much fear it-will he found at
that awful period to which we are all approach-
ing, that too many of °such persons have deceived
tliemselves, and have only plunged from the.
troubles of this world to a deeper abyss of endless
trouble and affliction in a dreadful eternity ; that
they have only become the victims of, unsubdued
hearts, and not the involuntary agents of. their
own destruction. • Too many instances occur in
which their acts may be accounted for ; the de-
privation of some earthly enjoyment or pleasures
they had previously possessed, or the fear of the
shame or disgrace that may attend the promulga-
tion of some crime- or,miscondnat of which they
have been guilty. Are we to imagine, that in in-
stances where these exist and are ascertained, that
the generality of them are cases of insanity ? I
think by no means can this be allowed. The real
cause I apprehend is to be found in the want of
religions principles in their hearts ; they can, ill
brook the changes in their circumstances, and not
having the consolations resulting from religion,
they presumptuopsly seek to be relieved from their
distresses by their own hands•—regardless of what
may be the result, It may be calied madness of,
insanity to plunge into the gulph of misery and
destruction without regard to the consequences ;
but let any that are tempted to venture upon it,
if they read this Paper, remember that they will
he eternally punished for it in a world to come,
that it is culpable madness,' and cannot be re-
pented of—tor there is no repentance in the grave ;
and let them consider, that if they. cannot sustain
the troubles of this life, which are but compara-
tively momentary, how will they be able to bear
the miseries of an eternity to come. However
great the afflictions of this world may be, there is
an hope they may have an end, but those of the
next world there is no hope, but misery will be
their portion for ever, without a possibility of a
change, which hopelessness adds tenfold aggra-
vation to their troubles ; other sins may almost
all of them be repented of ; but Suicide and
Duelling are (when fully carried into effect) irre-
mediable ;—they,are the complete barriers to all
future happiness—the very gates and entrances to
everlasting punishment. The world may be de-
ceived, and call Suicide Insanity ; but that God,
who knowetb the secrets of the heart, can and
will judge whether Insanity is or not the cause of
it. It is too much the case to cast a false gloss
'over evils that exist; we call evil good, and good
evil, we place darkness for light, and light for
darkness. But it will contribute more to the
good of mankind to state crimes in their own
plain unvarnished guilt, and although it may be
the means of adding to the grief of distressed re-
latives, yet the truth may operate,(under the- bless-
ing of God) as a preventative, and may he the
means of saving many families from similar
distresses.

That the want of religions principles is the
true cause of nia,ny of these unhappy occur-
rences may be presumed, and indeed fairly ad-

nutted; i had almost ,saiti proved, by aitalogous
' cases. For if we examine the conduct of men
of piety wider similar circumstances, it will ge-
nerally be found, that whatever evils or accidems
happen to them, they submit themselves to them
with fortitude and resignalon, and lee in them
the dispensations of an overruling Providence.
They are ready to -cry out,." The LOrd bath
given, the Lord bath taken-away, blessed be the
name of •-the- Lord ;" or, " Thy will a LOrd„be
done." I need not be at much trouble to seek
for examples, in which very trying afflictions
have been borne with patience, but one will sil-
! nee. There is an illostriotis instance still. fresh
in the memories of the sons of Britain; where
the most unexpected affliction, accompanied with
many trying circumstances, was .submitted to
with pious resignation, on the decease of a
Princess -whose memory will ever he endeared to
this nation And' scarcely could any calamity
Come more sudden upon an husband or, parent
than the transitiou that then took place front mo-
mentary happiness and exultation, to mournta
and, overwhelming grief. ()flier instances in.
vate circles, and various stations of life, couibined
with -distresses still more aggravated, might be
darned; in which Religion has been found. the
surest refuge and only consolation ; and of- per-
sons who: have been, atter patient submission to
evils, restored again to the same or greater en-
joyments even in this life than those of which,
for a season, they have been deprived. -Thus, I
trust, it will be evident, !hit the cultivation of
,religions principles in the heart will be the safest,
if not also the surest, remedy-to prevent the evil
under consideration.

If we forget God in our prosperity, we cannot
flee to HUT) with so much confidence in :idrersityi
as we.should be able ro do, were we ever !‘)
recc our hearts to' Him limier every circumstance of
life. Let the then exitort those persons whose
Cups overflow with many enjoyments, gratefully
to acknowledge to their Lord God his mercy and
goodness to them, by walking in his Cominand-
ments, by observing with devout attention his. •
Sabbath, by seeking to plot-note his. glory on
earth, and.by endeavouring, as far as- his bless-
ings have enabled them, to relieve the distresses
of their fellow creatures, and to remember, that
the same kind hand us has dispensed his hounties_
to thein, can in his own good pleasure at any
moment withdraw them ; thus will they learn
to su-,trait to His will, under, all His dis-
pensation 3, and to kiss the rod that elms.
tuneth- them.—On the contrary, if they ne-
glect God---profane his Sabbaths by mmeces-
Sary parties, rides in public places,. visitings, jour-
tiles, recreations, and attention to secular employ-.
ments-,-if they despise Religion—if they place
,all their happinessin the pumps, the riches or the
pleasures of this world, they do then subject
sheinselves to innumerable risk's and dangers—
and when desolation cornett) as a whirlwind, they
are exposed to the pitiless stortn,,without consola-
tion, without a friend, and they seek, when every
other resource fails,, in self-destruction, that re-
pose Which they cannot obtain on earth. But,
alas I instead of repose, they will only find that
the past was scarcely the beginning of trouble, and
that real and irrt mediable trouble only com-
mences when their career is unhappily con-
cluded.

To such as are in adversity—to such- as are
.overwhelmed in trouble, may I offer some words
of advice. If to this moment they have neglected
their God, like the Prodig3l Son in the Gospel,
it is not too late for them to repent. and turn to
Him. If with a truly penitent heart, they return
to Him, his hand is not shortened. He can re-
lieve them—He can save them, and give them
consolation under every evil, and, if it is for their
good, restore them to their former enjoyments, or
greater, if suitable fur them.—However great their
afflictious, however sudden and unexpected—what-
ever may he their extent, their guilt, or their misery,
He can, upon humble submission to ilim,when they
are not occasioned by their own misconduct, and
upon sincere repentance and amendment, when
they are caused by ;heir own guilt, restore to
them that peace of mind which they have lost,
and bring them to a right understrinding of their
duty to Him, their neighbours, and themselves.
‘Vhether in afflictions or prosperity, whether ele-
vated to the highest pitch of grandeur, or abased
to the lowest state of poverty, yet, whatever their
circumstances may be, happiness is only truly to
be found in Religion, and sincere Piety and sub-
mission to God are the hest antidotes to prevent
them from the commission of self-destruction, tine
der every afflictive Providence.—Evils will come,
and may happen to all—one distress may suc-
ceed another, and must be endured, but the con-
solations of Religion will ever prove the best sup-
port to mankind under them. They know its
whom they trust, and thus relying upon Provi-
dence surmount them all. Since then the most
elevated may be cast down by one, or another af-
flictive -stroke—since no station is exempt 4rom
trouble and distresses of mind, body, or estate,
and since, I trust, I have elude appear by one ex-
ample at least, and in private circles many mote
_might be adduced, where Religion has proved a
strong and powerful support in affliction, I hope
this appeal will not be made in vain—to culti-
vate Religion in the heart. Be melonger des-
pisers of Holiness—regard it not as a cunniugiy
devised fable ; but be assured that in life its culti-
vatien will be happiness, and in death eternal re-
ward to them who walk in its paths. In the oppo-
site course, death anti destrection aieait its vota-
ries either sooner or later, and Eternity will open
upon them with punishments, endless in duration,
and greater than has ever entered into the imagi-
nation of mats.

A FRIEND TO MANKIND.

Deccuiber, I 81;.

LONDON JOURNALS.

VeROMTHE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.]

[The Times.]
PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.

PARt3, Dsc 12.—The opening of the Chambers
took place amid an assemblage of very brilliant
Company. Among the foreigners of distinction
Lord bind Laity Castlereagh excited particular ob-
tervetion ‘Vnen M. de Lafayette was called to
take the oath, a movement of curiosity, like an
electric shock, spread throughout the assembly.—
The Speech from the Throne mentioned nothing
mew, except that the King will soon go through
the ceremony of his Coronation—a circumstance
which proves that the negotiations concerning the
Concordat are nearly brought to a terrninaiion.
There is as yet, however, no prospect that it will
be submitted to the Chambers in the present Seq.
vion.—All the efforts of the bankers and brokers
of Palk kive been unable to prevent the tail of
the Public Fontk. They tell yesterday o 60, al-
though the priiited quotation Of the Batik makes
them 63. It was expected that the Speech from
the Throne would have restored confidence ; but
the stagnation of con;merce is still very great in
the principal commercial cities of France.
Mama), Nov. 30.—An embargo has been or-
dered at Cad,z and some other ports, upon ships
.of a ePttain size, for the transport of the troops,
Rich are to be sent immediately to South Ame-
rica ; the expenses of eves y descript ion %Odd) may
Le incurred by them will be paid by the owners
of the ships.

There a yeti" odd rumour in circulation in
this capital, abort the arrival of a personage,
Who, it is gupposed, has been sent by the Congress
sit Aix-la-Chapelle, with some commission to
King Ferdinand ; and the m►►st curious thing is,
that a grea► many peiiple, who think themselves
very well informed in political matters, are very
busy in making conjectures about the subject of
this strange message *

A M.Santurio (on n hose information M. Calvo
de Rozors and several others had been imprison-
ed), who was in one of the cells of the gaol called
de Curie, knowing that M Calvo was in smother
close by, began to ci y out as loud as he could,
begging M. Calvo's forgiveness for this wicked
and false information, which, he added, he was
persuaded to give by the intreaties and promises
of an official petsonage. This affair has occa-
sioned a great deal of uneasiness to the party con-
cerned in it.

We are surrounded here with spies and in-
formers ; 110 One dares to communicate his opi-
mioos to another: from hence flows a want of
confidence, which we cannot find words to de-
ihe. 'Ft e evils ‘vbich are produced by the
scourge .of the human race are of such a kind, that
no person, however high his rank, is secure against
its attacks. A report is whispered, with great
mystery, that a plot of these villains has been dis-
covered, the' object of which was to implicate dif-
ferent Grandees of Spain, and the Cao!ain- Gene-
ral of New Castile, Don Gaspar de Vigodet, in a
charge of designing to subvert the existing Go-
vernment, and to substitute in its stead an oli-
garchy like that of Venice. The number of per-
sons intended to be‘affected by this infernal plot
arhounts, it is said, to 60, besides several others
who are deemed of 'agreeing to co-operate with
them. The whole scheme is reported to have been
organized by persons in office, who, however, are
merely ins,rnments in the hands of the clerical
faction, at the head of which are the Pope's Nun-
cio, the Patriarch of the ladies, and the Intinisi-
tor-General.

The state of this country is dreadful. T;se
roads are infested with robbers to such a degree,
that travelling, even for the shortest distances, is
unsafe. The poverty of the people is overwhelm-
ing, the want of money severely telt, and every
thing announces an approaching an inevitable ca-
tastrophe.
* There was a report at Aix-la-Chapelle of an autograph
letter having been sent to King Ferdinand from the Allied
Sovereigns, in which the Spanish King was advised to change
his measures.