The Portland daily press., 1864-07-22
"Snioiial Monomania."

The case of young Chamberlain, who recent
ly committed suicide in a public house in Bos-
ton affords striking evidence of the existence
Of peculiar arrangement Of he mental fac
uliies which leads persons to do thing that
their judgement and reason would prompt
them rot to do-sn impression that follows
them day after day that they must destroy
their own lives while lite to them has nuner-
Gus endearments, and the grave no charm.
In the case OF young Chamberlain the deed
was arranged in Il most careful manner
and foretold 10 his journal There could be
no reason for the act other than that he was
laborlng under that mental arrangement call
ed Suicidal mopomania' which has been the
cause Of q large proportion OF the suicides.
The affection that existed between young
Chamberlain andhis always indulgent parents,
was of the most ardent character. He had
Just completed his sophomore year in Harvard
College, and reached a rank quite In advance
ofthst which he had formerly held. He was
In the midst OF annual examinations, through
which he was going honorably and pleasantly.
Ailo " NCAS SpshA MS Aahh- LIS
iatlons to his class we're OF the happiest kind;
and the sad history Of the close OF his young
and pure life is one of those melancholy mystic
ries which cannot be explained or accounted
for on any other ground than the one stated.
In conversing with an intelligent farmer in
this State, upon the mystery that enshrouded
case of suicide in his town, be said il was
no mystery 10 him. He had experienced for
years the suicides desperate struggle vita
the temptation to destroy.his life. When a ia
vorable opportunity to throw himself into The
river, or to draw razor across his throat,
occurred, there would seem to be an almost IT.
resistible influence brought to bear upon him
TO thus end his mortal existence.
For years he resisted these constant tempta-
tions to commit suicide, until he told friend
what his thoughts were, when the spell WAS
broken. The only cure FOR this mcnomanis
seems to be to talk freely with iatimale fIiends
upon the subject, while keeping il an entire
secret is almost sure 10 result in the commit.
tai of the deed.
One oil The most remarkable cases Of sui
eide that has come 10 our knowledge, occur
red in the eastern part of the State about
three years ago. The gentieman referred TO,
was strongly attached TO his family, was UNI
versaliy respected, always seemed 10 be In
good splits, was. especially attached TO
children, and passionately fond of music. He
would get the youag folks together and
spend an evening in singing, while his daugh-
ter would play the piano. lie had invited Ia
q company OF young folks to have a sing, on
the evening on which he committed the deed,
appearing to be 10 his usual good spirits. 1t
was remembered after the act was perpetra.
ted that be had occasionally dropped word
that would 60 70 prove that the thought of
suicide was in his mind. This was a marked
case OF Suicidal monomania.' olher cases
have come 10 our knowledge, of persons
whose relations IN life we're of the most
pleasant character, and pecpniary eircum-
stances the most prosperous, who have taken
their own ligas. We have no doubt there are
many persons who are constantly tormented
with the temptation to put an end to their
mortal career. and persons toe. who have
the strongest ties TO biad them 10 earth.
Let such persons make their feelings known
10 their friends aud the danger and anxiety
will be very much lessened,if not entirely
removed