Star.
London, England, 1822-08-13 00:00:00

.1

LAMENTABLE DEATH OF THE MARQUIS
OF .LONDONDERRY.
/ROM A MORNING PAPER.
The deepest sensation was created yesterday, wham
the account of the death of the Marquis of Losnow'
nettav was received in town. So utterly unexpected
was such an event, that for some time it did not ob--i
tarn belief. All doubt, however, was soon removed.
and the melancholy certainty of the fact excited a
strong feeling of mournful kindness,..not only among
those who were favourably disposed to his Lordship,
from political bias, and the ties of official employ-
ment, but among the great mass of the people. Death
indeed is a great conciliator—and he must be indeed
a relentless partisan in the rear of• politics, whom
death does not disarm of his resentments—at least
for a time.
His Lordship's life has been so entirely public,
from his very boyhood, that little can be said of him
which has not appeared in the passing history of the
' last thirty-five years: of Ireland, the country of his
birth, up to the Union, and of England, since that
important political measure, in the carrying of which
he had so great a share. ,
The first occasion in which he played an active or
conspicuous' part was the disastrous one of the Irish
rebellion. We will net enter upon this topic, either
to exculpate or accuse, further than barely to express
our belief that,when the atrocities of that period shall
come to be impartially told (should that time ever
arrive), it will be found that Lord CABTLERBAGII re-
ceived more than his proper share of the odium justly
excited by the barbarities of that rebellion. The Se-
cretary was the visible and acting arm of the Go-
vernment—upon him was heaped the odium of all
that was done by the ruffian satellites of the Gover-
nment, in authority beneath him, and of all that was
resolved in Council above. We shall not take upon
us to measure out his Lordship's share in these un-
happy transactions; but we will say that he has been
the victim, on this point, of obloquy and injustice.
It was remarkable that this was the only topic which
ever rued his temper in debate.
An imputation upon him for his share in Irish po-
litics at that period, thrown out from the Opposition
benches, instantly called the blood into his cheeks,
and drew from him such an answer as apprised the
assailant he was treading upon more delicate and
perilous ground than that of ordinary political con-
tention. His participation in the Union is another
accusation against him. To examine this point would
be to examine the measure itself, which we are little
disposed to do at this time of day. Since the Union,
, his political life has been constAntly under the eye of
the British Public
The most interesting light in which he can he
viewed is that of a speaker in Parliament: with few
qualities of an orator, he was an effective, and some-
times even might be called a shining debater. The
engaging nobleness of his person and manners gave
weight in him to what would have dropped unno-
ticed from another. His imperturbable sangfroid,
and tine tact, whilst they prevented his committing
himself, gave him frequent advantages over the
coarser perceptions and less governed temper of an
adversary: be sometimes, too, obtained a triumph in
pure dialectic., by discovering a fallacy or a weak-
ness in the matter of his opponent's speech, or by an
unexpected and hard retort. But his general manner
was bad. From an early and unhappy affectation of
Mr. Pirr's amplified and invalued, but still clear and
powerful declamation, he adopted, or rather con-
tracted, a habit of obscuring his meaning in a cloud
of words—parenthesis within parenthesis—imperfect I
and incongruous metaphors, and a loose and inap-
propriate, and even whimsically forced use of the
vocabulary of the English language.
He seldom turned a period—but either abandoned
it unfinished, or closed it with something wholly alien
to its beginning. Another defective peculiarity in
him was, that his oratory was utterly illiterate. He
appeared as if he had never read anything in print—
except the papers printed for the public service, or
the use of the House. He sometimes developed an
important proposition for the consideration of the
House in a comprehensive and even luminous man•
ner, in spite of the habitual looseness of his style.—
His speech on proposing to open the trade to India
was much praised, at the time, for the soundness of
ir.) general commercial principles, and its detail of
facts. But still vagueness and obscurity formed the
prevailing character of his speeches. Sometimes,
perhaps, he was designedly obscure, as if he thought
with the French epigram, that the use of language
was to conceal our thoughts." Eulogy was his most
successful walk in public speaking. Some of his
speeches, on moving thanks to our Commanders
and troops during the late war, were in an elegant
taste, and marked by a happy choice of topics.
In moving thanks after one of the British victories,
lie stated the following trait :—After the battle, some
Eaglish and French soldiers, who happened to seek
the same rivulet to slake their thirst, upon meeting on
opposite banks, shook havals across the stream in mu-
tual congratulation of their valour. His mention of
this incident strongly affected the sensibility of the
House. His temperament was peculiar—at once im-
passive and intiepid—..nothing provoked, nothing
daunted him. He had that steady disregard of per-
sonal danger, which is the spring of enterprize, and
without which a public man s tenure of public cha-
racter is uncertain indeed. In private life he is said
to have been estimable and amiable. His intercourse
by letters with some of his early private friends in
Ireland was kind and engaging, and without the
slightest change of tone from his elevation in this
country. He has never been what may be called a
popular Minister, and in Ireland opinion once ran
violently against him. But within a very few years
a great change had taken place in the feelings of ilia
Irish towards him. He bad even, obtained some d♦
grce of popularity, which seemed to have given him
remarkable gratification. His Lordship was only in
his fifty-fourth year, and has left no issue. He is suc-
ceeded by his brdther, Lord Szawaan in his for-
tune and titles. -.
His Lordship was making active preparations for
proceeding to the Continent, m order to be present at
the approaching Congress. He had even appointed
M hursday next for his departure, and a steam-packet
was engaged to convey himself and suite on that day
to Calais. On Sunday he observed. to some persons
about him that be felt chilly, and that be feared he
had taken a fresh cold. Thole itympteems.lowevara

•

seemed to leave him towards evening, and he retired
to rest apparently in good health. Yesterday morning
.be rose at his aspl hour and causuclovrn to breakfast,
bat he had not sat more than a quarter of an hour,
when he was seized with what seemed to be a violent
spasmodic affection of the stomach, and in ten mi-
nutes he was a corpse.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.

It gives us great pain to add the following particu-
larly melancholy account relating to the death of the
Marquis of LONIXINDIRRI, received froim a Tarter
we can depend on :
The Marquis was observed tole very kW-spirited
on Friday and Saturday last, and would often say
that he was surrounded by spies, and inquire who
was in the house, as he was sure there were people
watching him; and on being informed that his Pri-
vate Secretary was down stairs, he said there were
other people as well. Last Sunday he took a walk;
when he came home he was very incoherent in his
conversation. His attendants removed every means
of self-destruction out of his reach. His pistols were
taken away, and it was supposed that nothing was
left in his reach of a destructive nature. On coming'
out of his room yesterday morning, and going into his
dressing-room, Dr. BANKHEAD followed him ; and
just as they got in, the Marquis said, " It is of no
ase," and immediately fell into the Doctor's arms,
and was a corpse in a moment. It was discovered
that he had cut the carotid artery, which leads to the
brain, with a small penknife, with the point, turned
the reverse way to what they usually ate, which he
had taken out of his writing-desk. He was expected
to go to Vienna, to the Congress, the latter end of
this week, which• preyed on his mind very much.—
He observed to a Gentleman at the House of Com-
mons, on Tuesday, that the very harassing Session,
they had just finished, would be the death of him.
NORTH CRAY—Monday—Ten o'Clock at Night.

Up to this moment all has been alarm and confu-
sion at this place.. The melancholy catastrophe of the
morning, Lady LONDONDERRY'S sufferings, and the
lamentations of the domestics, present a scene of-the
most heart-:ending affliction. Every instant arrivals
from town take place, and messengers are dispatched
thither. We have been anxious to procure the most
authentic information, and although the greatest
secret), is observed, and the strictest caution issued
to prevent communication, we have with the deepest
lures to announce, with confidence, that the worst
ofAhe reports ,in circulation since the morning are,
unhappily, too true ; and that the Mai quis of Lox-
DON Dittlir, in a fit of delirium, has deprived himself
Of life I The fatal event was accomplished during
the momentary absence of his dotnestics ; and, though
an instantaneous discovery took place, and Dr. BA NE-
ugAv(who was in the-holse) hastened to his Lord-
ship's assistance, nothing could be done to preserve
existence. Most of the reports state that the instru-
ment of destruction was a razor.

On Friday last the Marquis was in London to take
leave of his MAJESTY, and on his return home com-
plained of illness. Some of the persons in his esta-
blishment, that day, remarked that his looks seemed
to betray great agitation of mind. Dr. BANKIIEAD,
who had been for many years his Lordship's Physi-
cian, was immediately sent for, and continued in at-
tendance to the last. On arturday his illness seemed
to increase, accompanied with much fever. On Sun-
day a n.ore favourable turn took place, and, as we
have heard, on Sunday night he slept well, and ap-
peared early this morning considerably better.
It is said, that at seven o'clock this morning'
he was so much recovered, that the Marquis called
for breakfast, of which he pa; took .with appetite and
apparent sari faction. At eight o'clock, when the
Marchioness left the apartment fur a moment, the
act of destruction took place. It was • instantly dis-
covered, and one of his footmen supported him until
Dr. BANKIMAD was called. After some struggles of
expiring nature, a glimpse of reason appeared to re-
turn. He pressed Dr. BANKIIEAD'S hand, and said,
" Doctor, I die a happy man."
Dr.l.lmircuEato, with another Gentleman, imme-
diately proceeded to London, from whence the former
returned about seven in the evening. It is impossible-
to describe the anguish of the Marchioness. She
rushed to the body of her dear Lord—clung to it in
spite of all resistance, and it was not for some time,
and without much difficulty, that she could be
rescued from thepainful scene. We understand that
she has continued almost in a state of delirium during
the day. The sister of the Marchioness,• Lady &F-
-rump, has been staying at North Cray since the pro-
rogation of Parliament. Her services at this moment
of affliction are invaluable, and we sincerely hope
that they may be effectual in restoring the peace of,
her sister's mind.

Miss FITZROY and Miss NAPIER have also been for
a short time domesticated here; so that all the valua-
ble aid of female attentions are fortunately at hand.
Lady Mown. EDGCUMBE arrived at five o'clock.

Mr. PLANTA, the private secretary to the Marquis,
was on his way from Hastings to London, and having
heard at Bromley of the melancholy event, he came
instantly across the country, and arrived at the house
at twelve. This Gentleman's presence, so unlocked
for, yet desirable, was considered of great value in
the delicate circumstances of the moment, Lord
CLANWILLIAM was busied during the day in consul-
tation with Mr. PLANTA, and in making the neces-
sary arrangements. Mr. Gamic, the confidential So-
licitor of the Marquis, was sent for without delay,
and he reached North Cray at six o'clock. He then
remained, for some time, in consultation with Lord
CLANWILLIAM and Mr. PLANTA. Until Mr. GIIOUS'S
arrival nothing definitive could be arranged.
The Marquis had been for a long time suffering
under the oppression of a plethoric habit, and deter-
mination of blood to the head. On Friday these
symptoms increased, and became oppressive. With
a view to relief, his medical adviser ordered him to
be bled, and en Saturday to be cupped. The latter
appeared to give considerable ease, and it was hoped
that a restoration of health would ensue.
Whatever may have been the opinion of the world
as to his political character, however applauded by
friend.: or defamed by enemies, in this sweet retreat
of private the bosom of his family;-..in this
retirement, the late Marquis was the most amiable i
and beloved of men. Mete he was the benefactor of
the poor, the consoler of the 'Alicia, and the distri-
butor of charities unbounded. To his domestics he
was the kindest master. 44 Masi Sir," was the ob-
i servation of each of them this evening, « we have,

lost the best friend we ever had: we were toe happy ,
in his service." To the village of Foot's Cray he'
was a liberal contributor in every improvement.
The few inhabitants it contain: WA upon his death
as the greatest calamity that could befal them, and
they are loud in the tapression of their farrows. We
have seldom witnessed a more unaffected display of
grief than was presented on all the roads in the :Leigh-
hourhood of dui place. The people kept up hope to
the last—they dreaded that the reports would be
confirmed. and when the fatal truth could no longer
be concealed, heart-felt sorrow and lamentation per-
,rided them all. It was impossible to find a more
amiable object of private life than the Marquis ex•
hibited at this place ; hither he fled from political
contests. Harassed in the world by enemies to his
measures, he seemed determined at his home to make
every one round him a friend, and well and fully
has he succeeded. In every act of kindness, in every
step of bounty or of charity, the Marchioness of LON-
DONDERRY was his constant companion, and now
prayers for her, and invocations of blessings on her
head, accompany all the expressions of sorrow from
the people for his Lordship's loss.

THE E YEN ING STAR.

LONDON.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1322.