The Sun. — 1863-10-13 (London, England)

SINGULAR SUICIDE OF A HIGHLANDER.—On Sunday evening about a quarter past seven o'clock, a nrivate, named William Nicol, belonging to the 92d Highlanders, stationed in the Castle, at Edinburgh, committed suicide in St, Margaret's Loch, Queen's-park, Whilst taking a walk with three of his companions--t° the men and a boy—deceased proposed to bathe in loch. The night being dark, his companions—named respectively Strathdee, Dove, and Nicol—laughed at the foolish proposal, but Nicol insisted on carrying out his hat, w pulling off his tunic and throwing down his featheredish, and walked into the water. The boy Nicol, who, although a namesake, is no relation, called to him, asking if the water was cold, and he replied 66 yea." Strathdco then called , out if ho intended returning, but no answer being received, ho stripped and waded in to try and rescue Nicol. Ile went up to tho waist, keeping shouting, but was obliged to return to the embankment on account of the coldness of the water. On his return Nicol went into the water, while Dove ran to the gamekeeper's lodge at the eastern entrance to the park for the purpose of getting a lamp and boathook, but nothing of the kind was in the house. The old man gave Dove a piece of candle and a few matches, with which he returned to the search for Nicol. A message was sent to Holyrood Palace, and the guard was turned out. A message v‘ s next despatched to the police-office, and a boathook and ropes were immediately sent down. In the mean time a raft was got.and search made for the missing man, After a search of two hours the body was found. Deceased was 37 years of age, had been nearly 20 years in the army, and wore four medals--Crimean, French, Turkish, and Indian—also two good •conduct badges. Having returned to this country from India only three or four months ago, it is supposed the deceased committed the rash act from the effects of sunstroke,  The Great Eastern—Meeting of Shareholders in London,  The adjourned special general meeting of the shareholders in the Great Ship Company was held at the London Tavern yesterday. A report prepared by the committee appointed at the last meeting was read. The following is an extract`:—" The Committee state that they have directed their attention to the folio wing To the exact financial state of the company. 2. To the state of the ship. 3. To the means of profitably employing her ; and lastly, 4, To an inquiry into the moans of relieving the company from financial difficulties. O❑ the first head the committee state that they have come to the conviction that the statement of the chairmen that a peremptory sale was inevitable in 14 days, unless X 30,000 was raised on or before Friday next, the 16th, was a mistake.' As to the state of the ship the committee say Without entering minutely into the details obtained from the captain and your engineer, your committee are of opinion, from the information afforded by both, that every repair and alteration required to fit the ship for sea may be efficiently completed for a comparatively small sum; the hull of the ship is sound and seaworthy, and capable of performing any duty assigned to her; the engines are in good condition, but the boilers want thorough overhauling." With regard to the best means of employing the ship the committee say—" Three voyages to India or Australia (one and a-half each year) would give a little more than 70,000 miles, subject to the expense only of six loadings and discharges; six set of port and pilot dues; six set of agencies ; six coast and harbour risks instead of 18, and only two years victualling, wages, insurance, staff, expenses, and interest instead of three. There would be but little competition in the rates of passage and freight. Passengers and cargoes would be available to any extent, and the result, under proper and efficient management, cannot for a moment be doubted." After examining the plans for relieving the company from its difficulties, the committee thus conclude : " Here is our policy—here are our plans-1. Economy at home. 2. Placing the ship on the longest voyage, where there can be the least competition and the highest receipts—the shareholders contributing what may be required for the liquidation of the existing debts and outfit, which will be amply provided for by the suggested contribution." After some discussion, the report was unanimously adopted, and it was decided to summon another meeting for the 3d of November to fill up vacancies in the Board of Directors, and for the transaction of other business.