The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-23
SUICIDE OF THE EARL OF MUNSTER.
On Sunday, March 90, the Earl of Munster sho
himself through the head. The following condensed

On Sunday, March 90, 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 ne
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 they were alone, both ex-
claimed, "Surely he's going mad!" 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 was 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
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
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 going
for Mr.. Hammerton, first calling Mr.. Miller; but al
most Immediately after he heard second report
Mr. Miller the under butler, and the footman up
into the library where they found Lord Munsteryng
his back deluged in blood; he had shot himself in
the mouth, and his head was shattered.
MIR. Hammerton was sent for but the Earl died
after giving few groans. A 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 MIR Ham
merton said:
81 have seen his Lordship daily for the last fort
night He had some symptoms of govt, which he
very DESTROYS Of having removed, as he said he
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 on the subject, ex-
pressing himself in strong terms about the females
who hal been taken as hostages at Cabul. He was
on these occasions much excited He appeared deep
ly interested in the fate of the women These things
have doubt increased the depression He fire.
quently said Suppose ones own family had been in
in such situation what dreadful thing to reflect
upon.'"
1t is well known that George Fitzcarence, Earl of
Munster, was the eldest son OF William the Fourth
and Mrs. Jordan, the celebrated actress He was
raised the peerage in 1884, by the titles Of Earl of
Munster, Viscoun Ftzclarence 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. c. II. major general
in the army, married to Augusta Boyle, fourth daugh
ter Of the Earl Of Glasgow Elizabeth, married to
the Earl of Enroll Lord Adolphus, ranger of Wind
Home Park, and captain in the navy Lady
Augusta, housekeeper at Kensington Palace, married
first to the Honorable John Frederick Gordon, NJ p.
foeEerfarshire and Amelia, married to vscount
Falkland, Governor of Nova Scotia.
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