The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-05-27
From the Newark ~. J.) Advertiser, May 1s
THE SUICIDE OF n. W. HERBERT.

FROM me newark w. JD Advertiser, May Is.
THE SUICIDE OF H. W. HERBERT.
Our whole community was startled last eve
ming by the announcement of the suicide of
Mr.. Henry William Herbert, late of this city.
A secret hope was felt that there was some mis-
take about it, but the full and saddening details
which came few hours later confirmed the
pounceneEt-deveoping the most affecting
tragedy our people have ever felt an interest
in. The act was evidently committed under
the Influence of long protracted melancholy,
amounting almost to frantic despair; this was
the consequence of domestic diff culty opera.
ting upon an exquisitely sensitive mind, which
unfortunately ran to extremes of Joy or sorrow,
all through his unhappy life. Indeed, those who
have ONLY seen the occasional results Of this
uncomfortable impetuosity of feeling, and look
ed upon his unusually stalwart frame, have
never given him credit for the better nature
which overwhelmed him in sorrow at the reac
ton.
Though 80 long resident of the United
States, he preferred to remain British subject,
and indeed always manifested strong uation.
al feeling and pride in his noble ancestry.
Shortly after his arrival in the United States,
he married a lady from Maine, who has now
been dead about ten years; by her he had q
son, now about l6 years of age, who is in the
Military Academy ct Woolwich, England. Mr..
Herbert received from his father for some years
an annual income of one hundred pounds q
year, to contribute to his support On the
death of his father, the money was placed in
the hands of trustees in this country, for the pur
pose OF erecting homestead suited to his own
taste, which should be set apart for his use
during his life, but which should revert to his
son on his death, and not be responsible for his
debts. Accordingly, about ten years since be
selected beautiful little spot, two miles from
Newark, on the Bellevilie road, on the banks
of the Passaic just at the foot Of the celebrated
Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The passer-by would
hardly notice the house, it is 80 completely i'm
bedded ia shrubbery and trees. The grounds,
though covering but one acre of land, are q
bunch of hillock, and arranged with romantic
taste. The house is built in the Gothic style,
though it seems now somewhat dilapidated ex.
tsrhally. He had it tastefully furnished and
decorated with emblems and implements of
sportsmanehip, and supplied with fine library,
expendiug on the whole about SIS, 900. BE
named his place THE Cedars," from q number
of tall cedars which skirt the road that winds
along the river just by his door. Here he has
lived for the last ten years alone, until his mar
riage recently.
The incidents more Immediately affecting his
mind commenced with his second marriage.
which occurred at the House of Prayer, in this
city, on the l6sh Of February last, the rector,
Rev Mr.. Shackleford, perfor ming the ceremony
The bride was Miss Adela r. Budlong, young
lady from Rhode Island, with whom Herbert
had formed sudden and romantic attachment
during a visit she was making ia New York
1t appears from his own statement to the wri-
ter of this, about the time of the occurrence,
that he relieved her from an aseult of some ruff
fan in one Of the New York avenues, and &C
compaHied her TO her hotel; correspondence
followed, and resulted in the wedding, which was
comparatively private, only four gentlemen OF
this city being present by invitation, with two
from New York, in addition to the brides
mother and brother. They came from New
York the P. NJ. train, which was delayed BY
an accident for about an hour on the way, and
it was late in the afternoon when the ceremony
was prefcrmed.
The parties proceeded Immediately to Mr..
HeIberts cottage at "The Cedars," and for q
time they were perfectly happy in each others
society. Some SIX weeks after this ceremony,
the reptile spirit Of calumny crawled into his
quiet home; 1t ia alleged that some one, repre-.
scented to be lady, took occasion, probably
without any idea of the tregic result, and pour.
ed into biz wife's mind a recital of the worst
gossip, and on his return he found her alone
and melancholy. She told him what had pass
ed, but refused to reveal the person; this fred
Herberts ihfammnble temperament, and in the
heat ct his impetuosity he threatened to de.
stroy himself if she did not reveal the name.
She, IN turn, became frantically alarmed, and
ruptured q small blood vessel or produced a
hemorrhsge of the lungs. This in turn alarm.
ed Herbert, who did all he could 10 restore her
health and relieve her mind, but from that nc.
ment she determined to leave him, aud did 40
during his absence in New York.
According TO his representations he passed
out of his back gate, which leads into the Gem.
etery and she accompanied him to the fence.
bidding him an affectionate adieu, with kiss.
On his return, she bad gone, and the full gush
OF desolation and despair unbalanced his sensi.
tive mind. He strove in vain to bring her
back, and thinking it would promote the object,
he left his cottage, which he thought might
have been too lonely for her, and took apart.
ments at the Stevens House, N. Y, (late Del.
monico's,) near the Bowling Green, bringing
with him choice books, the portrait of his first
wife, and come select articles. Here he used
every effort in his ingenuity to recover his wife,
but she steadily refused to meet him, and final.
ly instructed her attorney to inform him that
she would receive no further communications
from him. Thia last drop overfowed the cup
OF his bitterness; the future seemed all hope
less he then meditated his own destruction.
He complained bitterly that his Newark
friends neglected him that he could not walk
the streets without being sighted, and repeated
that he was tired Of life. Shortly after leaving,
he advertised in the Newark Advertiser, that if
his creditors-and there were many of them
would send in their applications TO Mr. Joseph
Howe, OF No. "A William street, New York,
they would be satisfied. His remaining furni
ture was handed over to one of his largest
creditors, and the house given up to be let.
He leaves an aged mother, living in England !;
q sister, who was married in this country, and
sailed in the last steamer; and a brother, who is
Governor of the Channel Islands besides his
con, before alluded to- in the British army.
THE TRANSPORT OF AFRICANS TO THE
FRENCH WEST INDIES.