The Sun. — 1846-05-20 (London, England)

BRIDGE.--Charies Smith, a young man of respectable appearance, was brought before Mr. Cottingham, charged "with making a very determined attempt upon his life, by throwing himself off the centre arch of Waterloo-bridge into the river. Inspector Everest, of the Thames police, stated that on Sunday night, the 3d instant, about twelve o'clock, while yo n time aaeas boatcalled altheeicoidonnoflvnoe ay river,tiinngg hearingh oanmn htevwith passing heavy surface, one hs et oa,i assistance eedt iv attarchesehre aooftntledYnaattiterloo-bridge, the tide running down at the time, his n w n Ho immediately rowed to the spot, and after some little succeeded in dragging him into the boat. He was perfectly insensible, and finding him in that condition, he ltoins'itenosa; " Feathers" public-house, in the Waterloo-road, and Mr. Hardey, a surgeon, residing in the neighbourhood, having been immediately called in, the usual remedies for producing resuscitation were adopted with success. It was, however, discovered that the defendant had received such serious injuries in precipitating himself from such a height off the bridge, that it was deemed necessary to have bins afterwards taken to Charing-cross Hospital, in which institution he remained to the present time. The inspector added, that on finding the defendant was sufficiently recovered to be enabled to leave the hospital, he brought him up to this Court to be dealt with as the magistrate deemed expedient. Policeman 72 F stated that on the Sunday night in question, while on duty on Waterloo-bridge, as lie was walking from the north towards the south side, he observed the defendant approaching him from the latter direction. When the defendant got near bins, he made a sudden spring upon s although he pcoeliiicdeemd a ins upon tah momente a b abutment es ne seized eodf him bridge, by the hair, yet he disengaged himself from his grasp, and iedgpea,raanpdet ejaculating the words "good bye," precipitated himself head foremost into the river. The policeman added that he heard the splash made by the defendant falling into the water; but although he looked over the parapet he could not distinguish him, owing to the darkness, and he concluded that he was I drowned. He (the policeman) afterwards descended to the steps of the bridge on the Surrey side, and to his surprise the inspector and his man were in the act of removing the defendant ashore from their boat. Mr. COTTINGIIAM questioned the defendant as to his situation in life, and the cause of his having made such a determined attempt at suicide. In reply the young man stated that he was in the employ of Mr. Maudeley, a cutler, in Wych-street, Strand, and that on the Sunday in question he spent the evening with some friends at Walwortb, and was induced to take more drink than he was accustomed to do. lie had no recollection of the circumstances above described until subsequent to his removal to the hospital, and he could now assure the magistrate that he deeply regretted the attempt he had made  upon his life. The defendant's mother, a respectable woman, attended, and slated that ha was a young man of unexceptionable character, and that she was confident that had it not been for the liquor he was advised to take he never would have attempted such a rash act. She added that he had unfortunately sustained such serious injuries from precipitating himself off the bridge that she was afraid he would never recover the shock given to his constitution. Mr. COTTINGIIAM having addressed some useful advice to the young man, permitted him t 9 be delivered up into the care of his parent.