The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-05-28
SUICIDE OF HENRY WIN. HERBERT

SUICIDE OF HENRY WIN. HERBERT.
Henry VIM. Herbert, literary writer Of
some note, and favoraby known by his sig
nature of aFrank Forester" committed sui
eide in New York a few days since. The
Express, in commenting upon the peculiar
circumstances surrounding the case, says;
When man of genius and cultivated mind
commits so desperate IN act as to rush IN
prepared into the presence Of his Supreme
Judge, the spectacle not only appals US, but
has tendency to persuade those whose reli-
pious faith is not firmly grounded, that sui
eide may be allowable in some cases; espe-
cialIy as the unhappy man, in his last letter,
professed faith in the Christians Redeemer.
IL is possible there may be some among those
who will hear of this catastrophe, who will
give him credit for actually believing in the
Scriptures, that so solemnly forbid the unlaw.
ful shedding of blood. To the rational and
sensible, the utter self-deception of the man
who, protesting such a belief, commits such
a crime, will be evident "No murderer hath
eternal life abiding in him." Let none esteem
it light thing to do such a deed, because
one highly endowed by nature-one who
professcd the faith Of Christian-has done
il. We dare not look beyond the thick veil
with which God has shrouded The future, but
we know from His Word, that there is deep
and awful guilt in self-destructicn.
We knew Mr.. Herbert many years ago,
and often listened with pleasure to his tales
of sporting adventures. His temperament
was very excitable, and he was liable to vio-
lent bursts of anger for the most trifiing
causes. He often said, himself, he had perfect
self.coptrol under great misfortunes, but none
under trivial causes Of irritation. His land.
lady said, when his printers boy came for
"copy," it would frequently be necessary to
hide behind the door in making the request
lest, in burst of fury, Mr.. Herbert might do
some mischief TO the boy or to the furniture
Her chairs were often sent to be repaired,
after being broken by the author in fit Of
passion. He was always ready to acknowl.
edge this fault, and often spoke of it. On
the subject of physical courage, he would ex-
press singular ideas. He has been heard TO
say that he despised the man who would turn
pale when standing under an avalanche; and
he was frequently much vexed with persons
for limiting their belief that he would shrink
ms well as others from impending death.
There is rumor that he did not treat his
iIst wife kindly. A lady who occupied n
room near them has said she was often kept
waking by his voice in tones of anger, or hers
in those of complaint; and many have believ.
ed that unhappiness shortened her term of
life. With the curse of such temper, we
believe Mr.. Herbert's disposition to have been
genial and kindly. He showed this to his
friends; of those whom he disliked he would
speak in strong terms, but never with malice,
or deliberate wish to infiict injury. Having
such an experience of married life, and with
the consciousness which he must have had Of
his own unfitness for domestic peace, he
should never have married again. Few wo-
men would feel disposed to bear scenes of
violence and fury when they had right to
expect kindness and love. If any persons
were guilty Of attempting to plant discord
between the newly married pair, their feel
ings are not to be envied now. But there
must have been wrong besides, on his part.
There is no being more deaf to evil report
against the object of her pride and love than
bride. Her suffering must have been rs
great as his, and now, how terrible to her
must be the comments Of hard world on
her desolation and bereavement!
We cannot believe Mr.. Herbert was in the
full possession of his reason when he COM
United the rash deed. He might have looked
forward to the adjustment of his difficulties,
and lasting reunion with his wife. There
is hope even in this world for all who repent
and forsake their sins. Even II happiness
were wholly wrecked-happness on earth is
not the end Of our Being May the Divine
Judge, before whom he has appeared uncalled,
DO merciful to his errors, while his fate is
made warning 20 others!