The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-18 00:00:00

IRIS'II.

33g

53%
5414
76
251%

103/4

0% p

21/8
4%
2N
43%
12%
•?4 P
3%

2!i
50

Total

EXHUMATION OF THE BODY OF
LIEUT.-GENERAL GEORGE DICK.
BATH, AUG. 16 —Yesterday afternoon au inquiry
commenced in this city before A. H. English, Esq., the
Coroner, as to the death of Lieut.-General George Dick,
whose demise, it will be remembered, took place as far
back as-the 15th of March, 1844. From what has trans-
pired during the last few days, a considerable sensation
has been created amongst the fashionable circles of Bath
and Clifton. The deceased was a gentleman of large
fortune, who formerly resided at Clifton, but towards
the close of his life he went to reside at Bath, where he
kept a large establishment, and moved in the highest
circles of society. The present inquiry was instituted,
as will be seen from the introductory remarks of the
Coroner, at the instance of his eldest son, George Dick,
Esq., who fills an office in her Majesty's civil service in
the East Indies, and who has come from Mazoompore for
the express purpose of causing it to be made. At the
time of General Dick's death the only members of his
family residing with him were his own daughter, a Mrs.
Brigdall, whose husbaed formerly lived in this city, but
is now out of England, and her son (by a former mar-
riage), a Mr. Thomas. At the period that Mr. George
Dick left England a will existed in his favour. An
affectionate correspondence was kept up between himself
and parent till the time of his death, after which a will
was produced, leaving the General's property to the
grandson, Mr. Thomas. The death of the General was
rather sudden, and this fact, together with other circum-
stances, have tended to raise a suspicion of foul play.
At three o'clock in the afternoon the coroner and jury
assembled at the Cemetery at Bath wick, for the purpose
of witnessing the exhumation of the remains of the
gallant officer, and of proceeding with the inquiry. Mr.
Ilerapath, the eminent analytical chemist, and Mr.
George Barrette, surgeon, attended to make a post
mortem examination. Mr. George and Mr. Dick (sons
of the deceased) were likewise present, as were also Dr.
Cardue, Dr. Daniel, and many other members of the
medical profession and resident gentry of Bath, Clifton,
and Bristol.

The jury having been sworn arid taken their seats in
the chapel of the cemetery, the coroner said they were
assembled under circumstances of a distressing and ex-
traordinary character, to inquire as to the death of Gene-
ral George Dick. Althouvh a very long time had elapsed
since his demise, ye-t circumstances had come to Ins (the
coroner's) know ledge which rendered it imperative in
him, in the faithful discharge of his office, to cause the
present inquiry. The death of General Dick took place
in that city as far back as seventeen or eighteen months
ago; circumstances accompanying it were such as ren-
dered it exceedingly desirable and proper that aninquest
should have been held at the time, and had the par-
ties by whom the deceased had been surrounded acted
with discretion and propriety an inquest undoubtedly
would have been instituted. He (the coroner) was acting
now at the earnest request of the General's eldest son, a
gentleman of the highest character and respectability,
who was in India at the time of his father's death, and
who had at great sacrifice of time, feeling, and money.
come to England to have the matter investigated. In
ordering the exhumation of the body he (the coroner)
believed that he was acting in the strict discharge of his
duty. Of course there were circumstances besides Mr.
Dick's information to justify the course he had taken.
From the period which had elapsed since the death, the
chances of discovering whether it had been cau&ed by
violence rested on a possibility. Still if it had been pro-
duced by some description of poison traces might yet be
found, and Mr. Herapath, whose fame as an analytical
chemist must be well known to them all, was present to
remove and examine the stomach and intestines. Mr.
Barrette, the deputy coroner for the county, would make
a post mot tem examination of the body, and it would be
most satisfactory,as well to Me. Diek as to the parties in-
directly accusi d, should the body be found in such a state
of preservation as to enable them to arrive at the cause
of death. Mr. Dick had good reason to be dissatis-
fied with the conduct of that part of the family which
resided with his parent at the time of his death,
and to whom the propriety of holding an inquest
was made at that period. Mr. Thomas, however, inter-
fered, and said there was no necessity tor it, and that
the body of his grandfather could be beried without
one. A certificate had been given by two doctors that
the deceasf d had died from apoplexy, but on those gen-
tlemen being summoned, they could give no reason for
that opinion, except that the General died suddenly, and

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