The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-02-14 00:00:00

The 'Elden death of this onfortgaire tecoucheu,

is (announced under the melt panful circumstances ;
'namely, by his own hand. The particulars of the
shocking Catastrophe are apparently given with dee
regard to truth and delicacy,. bet as attempts have
been Made to conceal the circumstances, we cannot
vouch for the statements which we have collected,
more than that we are desirous of prrrentitsg ndftp-
Prehension; It appears that Sir Richird had been
called into attend the accouchement of Mrs. Thackersy,
the wife of the Rev. Dr. Thackeray, of No. 86,
Wimpole-street, Cavendish-square, en Sunday last.
The Lady's labour was tedious, and on Thursday
morning her situation became so critical, that Sir
Richard wished to have further medical advice and

auistance. Another Gentleman having beets called
in, it was their joint opinion that the result would
prose fatal. This desperate aspect of the case was
observed to have thrown Sir Richard into great
agita-
tion ; and in this state of mind be was shortly after
shown into an apartment where, unfortunately, there
happened to be a case of loaded pistols. Its a moment
of sudden frenzy and irritation, he seized those in.
Moments of death and discharged them both at once
at his head—literally blew out hisbrsina. An Inquest
was, held on Friday night at eight o'clock. by T.
Sterling, Esq. 'Coroner, on the body of the de-
ceased, at the house of Mr. 'lhackeray: The servants
of the house Were examined, and described the re-
port of the pistols, and the circurestanc..s under
*bids the body was found. Doctor Latham, and
yeme othei intimate friends of the deceased, were
oho essmino. From-their evidence, it appeared
that ever since the lamented death of the Princess
Charlotte the deceased had suffered excessive anxiety ;
that his mind was every day becoming more nervous ;
'and 00 he was at length reduced to a most distressed
' aed desponding state. The unfortunate circumstance
of not having previously introduced the experienced
and able physician Dr. Sims to the Princess, so as to
have the advantage of his assistance and counsel in
the important duty he had to discharge, preyed upon
his mind, and his friends have long observed symptoms
of uneasiness that alarmed them, and which, probably,
prepared them for the event that has happened. The
Inquest lasted a boot t wo hours, and afters chi rep f rom
the Coroner, the Jury returned a verdict of lasaaity.
The Inquest was condoved with the greatest secrecy.
A beadle was stationed at the door, to prevent the
entrance of any persons except the Jury and wit-
nessess. About ten o'clock a hearse arrived, to con-
vey the body to the house of the deceased, in Old
Burlington-street. Ile was in his 57th year. Lady
Croft, who survives him, has been for some time in
a very delicate state of health. Her Ladyship is a
daughter of the late Dr. Denman, and sister of Mr.
Denman, the Barrister, who so greatly diatingeisherl
himself on the late State Trials at Derby. He
has also left three sons and a daughter. One of the
sons is in the army, in which he served with
great eclat in the late war on the Continent.—
Mrs. Theckeray, we are happy to say; was safely de.
livered of a hoe girl yesterday by Dr. patty. Various
rumours were circulated yesterday, and 'mope others
his name was implicated in a must delicate affair that
has occupied the attention of the higher circles for
some days past, and to which we know not what
degree of credit is due; namely, .the assisting in the
substitution, at an early period otitis life, of a child
to -the injury of the rightful heir. The sensation
Produced by the death of the .Princess Charlotte,
with the reporti and speculations to which it gave
rise, is fresh in the recollection of the Public, and
renders it wholly superfluous to have recourse to any
other explanation.