The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-07-17

The Monomaniac.
The following narrative relates more to
medical than to criminal history but as the
affair came in some degree under nv notice
as a public officer, thought it might not be
altogether out of place in these slight out
lines of police experience. Strange and un-
accountable as it may first appear. its cencr-
al truth will hardly be questioned by those
who have had opportunities of observing the
fantastic decisions which haunt and dominate
the human brain in certain phases of mental
alteration.
On arriving III London, in 1881, took
loag1gS at a Mr.. Renshawc'S. in Mie-End
Road. not far from the turnpike gate. NV
inducemcnt to DO so, was partly the chcapncss
and ncatneSS of the accommodation, partly
that the landlords uncle Mr.. Oxcy, was
slightly known to me- Henry Renshawc
knew by reputation only, he having left
Yorkshire ten or eleven wears before, and
even that knowledge was slight and vague
| had heard that a tragical event hal cast
deep shadow over his after life that he had
been for some months the inmate of private
lunatc asylum; and that some persons be
lieved his brain had never thoroughly rerov-
cred its originally healthy action. In this
opinion, both my wife and myself very soon
concurrcd and vet ! am not sure that we
could have gwen satisfactory reason for
such belief. He was, it is true usually kind
and gentle, even to the verge of simplicity.
but his general mode of expressing himself
and conducting business was quite coherent
and sensible although, in spite of his resign
ed chcertulness of tone and manner it was a,
times quite evident, that whatever the men
tai hurt he had received. it had left rank
ling, perhaps rcmorSctul sting behind 4
small, wcllexccuted portrait in his sitting
room suggested a conjecture OF the nature of
the calamity which had betallen him 1t was
that ola fair, mild-evcd, very Young woman,
but Of a pensive almost mournful, east of iea-
lures, as if the coming event, briefly recorded
in the lower right-hand corner of the painting
I had already. during life and health. cast its
l projecting shadow over her That brief rec
: ord was this:
Laura Harsrcaves, born 1864 and drown
. ed 1921"
No direct alusion to the picture e*er
r passed his lips, in my hearing, although, from
: being able to chat together of Yorkshire
: scenes and times, we speedily became excel
!. lent friends. Still there were not wanting
), from time to time, significant indications
4 though difficult to place in evidence, that tn,
: fire of insanity had not been wholly quenched
l. but still smouldered and glowed beneath tn,
e habit hardened crust which concealed it from
d the careless or casual observer. Existing
is circumstances, not very long after my arriva
G in the metropolis, unfortunately kinded thos,
J. brief wild sparkles into furious and consu
e ming flame.
IS Mr. Rcnshawe was in fair circumstances
e that is, his income-dcrived from funde,
a property alone, was nearly $500 year; bu
s. his habits were close. thrifty. almost miserly
1t His personal appearance was neat and gen
lr tlcmanly, but he kept no servant A char
h woman came once day to arrange his chan,
e. ber, and perform other household work, an
a. he usually dined very simply at a cotf'ee-hous
N or tavern. His house, with the exception o
a sitting and bed room, was occupied by lode
ers; among these, was a pale, weakly-lookin
a Young man, of the name of Irwin He wa
suffering from pulmonary consumption
disease induced, was informed, by his care
10 less folly in remaining in his wet clothes afe
having assisted, during the greater part
IL the night, at a large fire at coach factor,
His trade was in gold and silver lace work
e bullion for epaulettes, and so on and as
had good connection with several West-en
he establishments, his business appeared to be
thriving one; so much 50. that he usual
d, employed several assistants of both sexes
IS He occupied the first floor, and workshc
- at the end of the garden. His wife, a prett
re featured, wel-formed, graceful Young woma
er, of not more than two or three and twent
le- was, they told me, the daught of schoolma
ter, and certainly had been gently and car
er, fully nurtured. They had one child, sprigf
", curly y-haired, bright-eyed boy, nearly 70
ep, years old. The wife, Ellen Irwin, was I
puted to be frst-rate hand at some of t
he lighter parts Of her husbands business; al
lad her efforts to tighten his toll, and compensa
ed bv increased exertion for his daily diminis
to ing capacity for labor, were unwearying a
incessant Never have seen more gent
thoughtful tenderness, than was displayed
off, that young wife towards her suffering, a
be- sometimes not quite evenly-tempered partr
,ck who, however, let me add, appeared TO rec
sc re ats ..l:h;rllv Re, "a toa. a. :Le r.