The Sun. — 1846-04-23 (London, England)

SUSPECTED MURDER OF MR. ASTLE Y. Our English readers will be much shocked to learn that it is now strongly suspected that Mr. Astley, whose melancholy fate we communicated in a former number, did not meet with his death by accident, as was then supposed, but that he had been foully assassinated. Various rumours are in circulation en this subject, but we believe the following are all the facts that have transpired :—lt appears that the unfortunate gentleman had dined with a friend at his own house at Houton ; after dinner they went together to a cabaret in the village, which he habitually frequented, and remained there till about eleven o'clock. On leaving the house, Mr. Astley remained behind on the bridge for a necessary purpose, and his companion walked on; but had not proceeded far when his name was called, not in a tone of urgency or as in any danger, but in the usual manner. lle, however, paid no particular attention to this, and went on to the house, but finding, after a lapse of ten minutes, that Mr. Astley did not return, he went back to the inn, and, procuring a lantern, searched the banks of the river, which was not more than two feet deep at the sides, accompanied by the landlord's son, without discovering airy trace. This, however, (lid not excite much alarm, as Mr. Astley's habits were very eccentric, and it was c,ncluded that he hail gone away on some sudden whim----a riot very unusual circumstance. When the next morning arrived without his making his appearance, his friends became alarmed for his safety, and sent men all over the country to search for him, and had boats out to drag the river. But it was not until after the lapse of two days that the body was found at a place about three leagues down the Ourthe. It had a large wound, seemingly inflicted by some heavy blunt instrument, which had broken in all the crown of the skull, and some slight contusions on the legs. The sleeve of his coat was torn, and the knees of a pair of heavy fishing boots he wore much abraded, as if he had been dragged along a stony road. These appearances led to the suspicion that murder had been committed; and upon the examination before the tribunal at Marche, itcatne out that two men, who h had been drinking at a neighbouring cabaret, had left just about the time when the affair must have occurred. These men were carpenters, and it was stated that there existed a quarrel of about two years' standing between them and the deceased, relative to a disputed account. They avowed that they were both too much intoxicated to recollect anything that happened; and there not being sufficient evidence to criminate them, they were liberated, but still remain under the surveillance of the pAice. An old man, inhabitingi heard cries for a cottage near near the bridge, said that h 9 help, but on going out could not perceive anything unusual. No attempt at robberyseemed made, as the watch, money, ring, to have been &c., of the deceased were all found on the body; a large German pipe he carried, and his hat, being the only articles missing. The officers of justice are still engaged in the investigation ofthis sad affair, but it remains up to this time involved in impenetrable mystery. Lord Hastings came from England to be present at the examination before the Juge Instruction, and has conveyed his unhappy brother's remains for interment in the family vault.—Brussels Gazette.