Star.
London, England, 1830-02-09 00:00:00

INQUEST ON LORD GRAVES.

The inquest on the body of this unfortunate Nobleman
uas held yesterday morning, at the Masons' Arms Ta-
, tn, Maddox-street, Hanover-square.
appears that his Lordship has for some time past
I.iLvared under great bodily affliction, occasioned by a
severe rheumatic affection ; but it did not prevent him
from attending his official duties at Court, or enjoying
the society of his family and friends. He has, however,
for the last two months also, laboured under great de-
pression of spirits : the cause of it, as it was not given in
evidence, we are not at liberty to allude to. Lady Graves
ao'w resides at Hampton-court; but his Lordship, since
the early part of January, has lodged in the house of Mr.
Renaud, in Hanover-square. His Lordship had lived
separately from his Lady a few months, and the letter
which was forwarded to Hampton-court was, we under-
stand, an answer to one received from Lady Graves, ap-
poMtlng an interview with his Lordship on Monday. The
day previous, Lord Graves consented to dine with the
Marquis of Anglesey, to arrange matters for the inter-
view at Hampton-court.
'On Sunday evening his Lordship vas dressing to at-
tend the dinner party at the Marquis of Anglesey's, and
(hiring the absence of his servant, who went out to order
the carriage, his Lordship provided himself with two ra-
zors, and standing in front of the glass which was on his
dressing-table, cut his throat completely from ear to ear.
His death must have taken place instantly : in fact, when
the servant returned, he found his unfortunate master
lying on the floor quite dead, the razors close to him, and
the dressing-table and floor covered with blood.
The friends of the deceased Nobleman were most an-
xious to prevent the result of the evidence appearing
before the public. Very soon after the act was com-
mitted, an urgent request was sent to Mr. Gell, the Co-
roner, to hold the Inquest at the earliest hour he could
possibly appoint, and it was accordingly taken at half-
past nine o'clock yesterday morning. The Jury con-
Asted of respectable tradesmen in the neighbourhood.
The first witness examined was John Spry. He said :
I was travelling servant to the deceased, and I have lived
with him in that situation for the last four years and eight
months. About a year ago the deceased was unwell for a
considerable time with a rheumatic fever; but I am not
aware that his Lordship has been afflicted with any other
bodily complaint for the last six months ; on Saturday last
his Lordship, who w as one of the Commissioners of Excise,
went to the office of that establishment, and returned be-
tween fait' and five o'clock in the afternoon. He after-
wards dined with Sir George Murray, and returned about
eicven at night He went to bed very soon after ;he took
some medicine before he retired to rest, and he was then
in his usual low spirits; I sat by his bed-side till between
one and two o'clock in the morning, and this I have
usually done for the last eighteen months; when the
frost set in, his Lordship was a cripple from rheumatism,
bat his general health has been improving since May last ;
he has had the use of his legs and arms since September
Is.st ; to the time of his death I have continued the prac-
tice of sitting up with him after he went to bed till he
went to sleep, on account of his not wishing to be left
alone, but I do not know what fears he entertained from

being left alone ; yesterday (Sunday) morning I went
into his room about eight o'clock, and he was then asleep;
I went in again about half-past eight, and he was still
asleep ; I went in again soon after ten (but whether be
rang for me or not I cannot say), and found him preparing
to dress; no conversation then took place; his Lordship
breakfasted about half-past twelve ; Sir James Anderson,
t'..e medical gentleman, who was daily in attendance, then
waited on his Lordship, and remained with him about an
hour ; he then left the house, and I went out to procure
the medicines ordered by Sir James; I returned at half-
p +tot three, and asked his Lordship for a parcel, which he
had told me that morning to send to Lady Graves, who
resides at Hampton Court; it was a small parcel con-
taining a letter, addressed by his Lordship to Lady
Graves ; I took this parcel to the coach office in Picca-
dilly, at half-past four, and then returned ; I then put
out his Lordship's clothes to dress for dinner, and I
asked his Lordship at what time I should order the car-
riage, as be was going to dine with Lord Anglesey ; it
was then about half-past five, and his Lordship desired
the carriage to be ready at a quarter before seven ; I
then went out, and directed the carriage to be ready at
the appointed time, and on returning to the house in-
stantly went to his Lordship's bed-room; the door was shut,
but not locked; I opened it, but could not see his Lord-
ship, but observing the looking-glass, which was standing
upon the table in the room, covered with blood, and
two candles burning at the front of the glass, I was so
frightened, that I immediately ran out of the room
and called for assistance. The servant of Mr. Henry
Wombwell, who resides in the house, came directly, and
we both went into the room and found his Lordship lying
on the floor, close under the dressing table on which the
glass stood; we both then retreated from the melancholy
spectacle, and I instantly went for Sir James Anderson,
and he came directly ; two other medical gentlemen bad
also been sent for, but they pronounced his Lordship
.quite dead ; two razors were found open on the dressing-
table, with blood on both ; I am satisfied that his Lord-
ship did the act himself.
Conn Zit : During what length of time have you ob-
served that his Lordship laboured under the depression
of spirits
Witness : I have observed that his Lordship laboured
under the depression of spirits for near three months.
Juror : Have you observed that that depression of
spirits has increased on his Lordship lately ?
Witness : I have observed that that depression of spirits
has increased on his Lordship for the last two months, and
particularly I have observed it of late.
CORO Nak : You have no doubt, I presume, that his
Lordship committed suicide, while labouring nder that
depression of spirits ?
Witness : I have no doubt that hie Lordship cut his
throat in a fit of, great depression of spirits, not )(miring
what he was about.
Juror : But can you inform us what has caused that de-
pression of spirits under which his Lordship laboured?
(The question seemed to excite the greatest interest
among the Jury. Abeyes were turned towards the wit-
ness ; babefore he could make the reply,)
The donox za interposed, and said, he did not consi-
. der it necessary to pnt such a question to the witness.
They had assembled to inquire wbether•Lord Graves died
from violence inflicted by himself or by any other pecan,
and in what state of mind he ride at the time—whether
insane or otherwise. It wee ht evidence that his Lord-
, ship had laboured under great depression of spirits, and it
was therefore probable Ma* he committed the rash act
while 'showing under tolfrary inanity.
Juror—But, Sir, I odliiider that we shall not discharge
• our duty unless two tequire into the cause° of that de-.
eve
of spiels under' which his Lordship is said 40.
' liiiin laboured., Acardiog to the oath that you admi-.
.. •.to ; are we' not-bound to. investigate all the,
.
.
Conon No, gentlemen ; I do' not consider it a
thessistiu-Thr
part of /our duty to make inquiry upon that point to