Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-05-22

farewell letter. In an editorial some time ago.
on suicide occurring in ths Eastern part of the
State, we considered at some length the often
nooted idea rs to whether a rational man ever
committed suicide. The case Of Herbert again
suggests thu idea He maintained fearless
colnposure up to the moment he did the deed
save in that he dreaded to be left alone to his
own thoughts. -
His letter reads thus:
Nv reason for this act consists in no remorse
for what have done, OF left undone; FROM no
pecuniary pressure, from no inability, or fear
Of inability to support myself, from no weak
fear Of the public opinion of Newark, which
do now, as | always have DONE utterly dlsre-
gard and di>piSe; from no embarrassment arising
from any indebtedness.
prospect of much more-had the people Of New
ark, whom forgive, from the bottom OIL my
heart suffered me to live honOrably and hap
uily in my humble horuc, and 10 amend my
life where it was in error, IN new sphere,
which was honestly prepared TO do l might
have paid OF all my debts, aud IL lived ed, many E
years among you, an honest, useful aud hap
py man Ny debts will be paid FROM my assets
to the last dollar.
1t was not, however, so to be. Ny blood,
aud the guilt Of it, is upon those women aud
men who first sowed suspicion, distrust and dts
sension between myself aud the sweetest crea-
ture GJd ever gave, aud man t"Ok away iToi an
unhappy sinner. Ay own unhappy temper u'i
tie rest
The reason for this act, then, is simple. My
life long sad, solitary and weary, aud without
All object, has become utterly hopeless, hateful
and uncomfortable. A hope had been kindied IN
my heart again; my home had got \ light IN II
brighter than sunshine; my lile l9u purptSe,
loved her unItterRbly. L was lnmeasuraoiy
happy-all this has been dashed DOWNFALL Is
lost forever. Iome-hOpe-sunShine, Ahs-let
life go likewise, since, henceiOrth, 1t Is only
another word for torture
would not deny falsely one thought OF
which am conscious, especially al thlS i"S'
mument-I would not deny that erred towards
her whom this day shows that loved more
than life. did arr, but it WAS hastily. In any
act or rash word, never. so may GOd deal with
me in thought or intention. never had one
word with her about money matters, nor cared
scarcely knew whether she had or had not
money L never laid a hand or finger on her III
wrath in INV life. What said ur did wrongly,
repcnted OH the Instant have endeavored to
atone for, since die for it this day. think, l
hope deserve pity more than blame, out
know that shall not find it, least OF ali, III New
ark.
can say truly, with my last breath, never
wronged a man or woman in my life Of prcmed'
itation or failed to ask pardon; Or to make atone
ment when I could do so. l never bore malice
in my life repent Of all my faults and sin,
and have endeavOred to amend then.
die in perfect peace Rwd charity with all men
ask forgiveness of all those against whom
have sinned. forgive all those VINO have sun
ned against lne, the woman who called at
my house aud set my wifeS thoughts hrSt
against me-in proof Of it am sure know
her, vet do not name her name. u beg God tn
forgive me, as forgive all my enemies. die
in perfect faith, and trust in my Redeener, and
believe ia him shall have eternal HE
HENRY WILLIAM liEHBEEr.
Among the private letters written by him
previous to his death, WAS the following winch
we find in the Newark "Adrsrtiser."
"MY DEAR Miles j ANSOS The time has come,
and call upon YOU with the last words of n dy-
lug cOuntryInan tu;come and perform your PROM
isc. Ny last friend, do not tail me.
When you receive this shall DC lying dead
in the cemetery. coud not be easy in New
York. and must not be buried in the potter 5
Yield, or by charity.
| Have mr:dressed in the clothes which put In
the carpet bag, with the little packet have
sown to the shirt upon my heart, and the lIin
cushion with 'llEKBEIET" Pricked upon 1t under
my hrad-a plain uaken coffin, With this lnScIlP-
| ton only, "lIESRY WILLIAM llERBEKT-aged o
Let the be buried in your lot, send the cotln
down hp the steamers; no funeral and no pomp'
! | send a note TO Mr.. Shacklefore, lie viii per-
form the service.
! enclose draft for SlO sterling 10 my SIS
ter, which will payal expenSesi have written
| to her. COne the moment yOu receive tins, Or
! you will be too late and they will thrust me III.
| to some holeaway from humanity. She refused
all reconciliation absolutely and forever, but she
is not to blame and it is my last request that
no friend Of mine will blame her or defend the,
except tn say what Solennly swear with my
dying breath that did not marry her for mo
ney-that did not know when married her,
and do not even aOc, whether she has any
money or how much-that never said inc nn-
| kind word until that Monday, when threatened
my life If she would not tell me who had accuS-
| cd inc TO her falsely.
| God forgive aud God bless her. ] forgive all
men who have wronged me. and ask forgiveness
of all whom ! have wrunged. Every shilling !
| owe in America will be pail from the lease OF
the house, and the books which leave behind
inc, ready to publish.
! Give my hest parting love to all my friends
| think of me sometimes as most miserable man,
yet your true friend.
| HENRY WV. HEEsET,
MArl5, 1858. Stevens House.
| wish to have very small, very plain head
stone orItIle Falls or Beleville stone, with this
! inscription:
uHSRY WILLIAM HERBERT,
| England.
| Aged 81 years
IHJsiieissi