The Sun. — 1845-11-22 (London, England)

SUICIDE FROM WANT.—forenoon, Thursday Mr. the Royal Fort Tavern, Jamaica-level, Bermondsey, William Carter, the coroner for Surrey, held an inquest at asrePedtigtnitt,ataf,erod. 1, Thomas's-34yea reyears, lopuerentietatnhefedletnaltohngoefr,Tlhmatoely residing place, tipper Grange-read, who committed suicide under the melancholy circumstances subjoined :—Mr. John Slow, one of the relieving officers of St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey,. deposed that he had known the deceased for several years. In April, 1840, deceased came under his notice as an insane person. An order was granted for his admission into the workhouse, whither he was conveyed, and remained in the lunatic ward for some time. His friends subsequently removed him to Bethelem Hospital, in which asylum he stopped four months, when he was taken out by his relations. Deceased had been out of work for a length of time, and had been receiving out-door relief from the parish. Witness gave him relief on Monday last, at the workhouse, in Russellstreet. The deceased was then very dejected, and had a wife and five children dependent on him for their support. Witness believed that the family had been suffering great privation. George Pettitt, the brother of the deceased, stated he called to see him on Monday afternoon last, between one and two o'clock. The wife opened the door, and said the deceased was very ill, and had gone to bed. Witness went to the room up stairs, and there discovered him suspended to the top of the bed-post by a strong cord. Witness cut him down, and found that his throat was cut in a frightful manner. There was a razor lying on the floor covered with blood, which had also streamed over the bedding and floor. 'Witness ran for Mr. Sharpe, the surgeon, who came with promptitude, but life was extinct. Deceased had forced a packing-needle into his breast, and inflicted a frightful wound across the stomach, and he had made other incisions about various parts of his person. Witness was of opinion that deceased had inflicted the injuries with the razor after he had suspended himself. He was formerly in the service of Messrs. Cowderoy, of Long-lane, Bermondsey, but had been out of work for a long period, which seemed to prey very heavily on his mind. Other evidence having been adduced, the Coroner remarked at considerable length on the distressing nature of the case, after which the jury returned a verdict of " Temporary insanity." After the inquiry, the jury and several gentlemen in the room raised a subscription for the immediate relief of the destitute.family, which was placed in the hands of Mr. John Slow, the summoning officer, who lost no time in handing the money over to the brAYiEfts .I.llUlaUal ....._,..ing the second meeting under the reference made by an order of the Court of Queen's Bench to Mr. Bramwell, barrister, to ascertain in what manner the burial-ground in Spafield. s was in future to be condncted, was held at his chambers in the Temple. Mr. Wakeling, the vestry-clerk of St. James, Clerkenwell, at whose instance the prosecution was insti tuted for an alleged nuisance, against the several defendants, attended, as also Mr. Lewis, of the firm of Lewis and Lewis, for the other side. The first meeting was held so long ago as August last, and the Learned Gentleman, who objected to the presence of reporters, promised to ascertain by the next meeting whether they might attend, again objected, until he had made inquiry on the subject. The solicitors raised no objection, but the referee thought it incumbent on him to be advised on the matter before he granted the application. Ho commenced hearing evidence, in order to arrive at the question submitted to his consideration. It is expected that several further meetings will take place.