The Sun. — 1840-12-14 (London, England)

GUILDHALL.  CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE.—James Whitfield, a decently dressed, modest-looking lad, aged 18, was brougLt before Mr. Alderman White under the following circumstances :  Mr. Burton, a surgeon, living at No. 68, Fleet. street, deposed that on Friday evening the youth came to his shop, and in a hurried manner requested to be sewed with a pennyworth of arsenic. Witness questioned him as to the purpose for which he wanted it. He received no answer for some time ; but at length the lad said, the fact was that he was in a state of destitution, and far from home, without the prospect of employment ; hence, to speak truly, he intended to make away with himself. He (Mr. Burton) then administered some substantial refreshment, leaving him with his assistant until he had apprised the police of the fact, and to whose safe keeping he was ultimately transferred. The young man, to questions put by the Alderman stated that he had been in several situations ; but trade being bad in his native place, Keswick, in Cumberland, he bad wandered to London to seek employment, but is efforts had been ineffectual, and his money all gone.  Mr, Alilerm,m WT ire complimented Mr. Burton for the step he had taken, and at the sn-r.e time deeply commiserated the situation of the unfortunate prisoner. Thinking that a permanent residence would be better than a casual supply, the officer was directed to take the youth to the Relieving-officer of the West London district, with a request that he might be taken care of until inquiries could be made. The lad appeared very grateful. Within the last few days several persons have been brought to this office on charges of wilfully breaking windows, not, as it appeared, for the purpose of robbery, but merely that they should enjoy temporary food and shelter in a prison. Of that number were three sturdy and finely-proportioned lads, from sixteen to nineteen years of age, whose names are John Wit. hams, W-771. Barber, and John Rogerson, all of whom requested to be sent to sea, as they were not allowed to beg, and unable to procure employment. Mr. Alderman WUITE, with.the concurrence of the other Magistrates, agreed to place the lads in the Compter for shelter, and ordered a marine dress to be supplied to them in lieu of their tattered garments ; and, thus equipped, Mr. Scourfield was despatched to the Camperdown, lying off Chatham, with a request that they might be received in the marine service. As far as the City authorities knew they had never committed felony. On. Saturday, Scoutfield (the officer of the Corapter), appeared before the Court with his charge, and made his report. He stated that he had taken the three youths to the Camperdown, and was informed by the officer in command that they had one hundred stout efficient boys more than they required already ; and further, that he had lately received orders from the Lords of the Admiralty not to receive any more until further orders.  Mr. Alderman WHITE said that it would seem that  there was no great prospect of a war, or three such strong youths would not have been rejected. As that was so, the question was, is what manner they should be disposed of i He saw no other way than transmitting them to the guardians of the Poor-lavv,Union. The poor fellows shivered on hearing this announcement, and said that they would be glad to serve on board a collier, or any craft, in preference to that alternative. .  The ALDERMAN said, that for the present he could not place them in a better asylum, and expressed a hope that by their own good conduct, and the exertions of others, a better situation would be provided for them.