The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-23
SUICIDE OF THE EARL OF MUNSTER.

i
On Sunday, March 20, the Earl of Munster shot
himself through the head. The following condensed
account is from the Spectator:
On the previous Thursday evening he attended the
House of Lords, in company with two OF his daugh-
tiers and it was then observed that he was more
than usually detected. On Sunday evening DR.
Chambers was called in. At about nine O'Clock, he
found the Earl sitting in the library with Lady Mum
ster, Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, and MIR. Hammer
ton, his usual medical attendant. He was then in
state of great mental and physical depression; and
his manner was excited, though his replies were
rational
After the interview, the medical gentlemen retired
to consult; and as they were alone, both ex
claimed, "Surely he's going madn' They thought it
proper to communicate their fears to his family but
as he had committed no overt act Of insanity, they
did not recommend that he should be put under any
restraint. Medicine ordered, and Dr. Chambers
advised the patient to go to bed early; upon which
he very sharply replied 81 shall not go to bed till
my usual hour" eleven O'Clock. At ten minutes to
eleven Lady Munster went to bed and Lord Mum
ster dismissed his valet Mr. Miller, who also his
steward
About half past eleven, Snooks footman, heard
the report of pistol, and presently Lord Munster
ran down into the pantry, and said that he had met
with accident and shot his hand, which was cover
ed with blood At his desire the footman followed
him into the library with light and then was going
for Mr.. Hammerton, first calling Mr. Miller; but al
Mr. Miller the under butler, and the footman ran up
into the library where they found Lord Munster lying
his back deluged in blood he had shot himself In
the mouth, and his head was shattered
Mr.. Hammerton was sent for; but the Earl died
after giving few groans large pistol lay on a
table near; another in box in the corner of the
room. The second shot appeared to have been dis
charged by the left hand In his evidence Mr. Ham
merton said
81 have seen his Lordshp daily for the last fort
night. He had some symptoms of govt which he
was very DESTROYS of having removed, as he said ne
had very important business to erform. The symp-
toms were removed but lie continued to be depress-
ed. He appeared very much affected by the late
news from India, and often spoke the subject
pressing himself in strong terms about the females
who had been taken as hostages at Cabul He was
on these occasions much excited He appeared deep
" interested in the fate of the These things
T have no doubt increased the depression. He FREE
uuently said, Suppose ones own family had been in
IN such situation, what dreadful thing to reflect
upon.'"
It is well known that George Ftzclarence, Earl of
Munster. was the eldest son of William the Fourth
and Mrs Jordan, the celebrated actress. He was
raised to the peerage in 1881, by the titles OF Earl of
Munster Viscount Fitzcarence and Baron Of Tewkes-
bury. The other children of William the Fourth
were. Lady Sophia Fitzclarence, who married Lord
de Isle and died in 1887; Henry, captain in the
army. who died in India in 1917; Lady Mary, house
keeper at Windsor Castle, married to Colonel Fox "a
natural son of Lord Holland,) M. P. for the Tower
Hamlets Lord Frederick g. G. IA. major general
in the army married to Augusta Boyle fourth daugh-
ter of the Earl of Glasgow Elizabeth, married to
the Earl of Erroll Lord Adolphus, ranger of Wind
sor Home Park, and captain in the navy; Lady
Augusta. housekeeper at KeDsDgton Palace, married
6r,f 10 the Honorable John Frederick Gordon, M. p
for Forfair,hire; and Amelia, married to Viscount
Falkland, Governor of Nova Scotia.