The Sun. — 1827-09-12 (London, England)

HORRID SUICIDE.  A diAressing sensation was felt in the county of Dorset, on Saturday last, in consequence of the Clergyman of Stourpaine, near Blandford, having put an end to his existence. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the body on Saturday night, before Charles -Harmer, Esq. of Shaftesbury, when the jury having been sworn, the body of the Rev. Mr. Hewitson was presented to their view. It was  lying on a bed on the parlour floor, and upon the sheet which covered it, having been removed, a most horrid spectacle presented itself. The intestines appeared much swollen, and a bole about the size of the muzzle of a musket appeared on the left side, near the heart. A young gentleman who had been on a visit for some  time past to Mr. Hewitson, of the name of Wake, was then called, and said that he had been at Mr. Hewitson's house for some time past. About ten o'clock on Friday night he observed him in a very distressed state of mind take up a gun and leave the house. At Ara. Hewitaon's earnest request he followed him across the road to the back of some houses in a field. Mr. Hewitson warned him back, saying " take care of yourself: don't come after me.'' Notwithstanding this he followed him at a distance of about ten yards. He went into the field, and witness passed on a little up the lane, and climbing up the bank, saw him stoop down by some railings, and immediately after beard the discharge of a gun ; deceased then shrieked violently, and fell down. Mrs. Hewitson, and a number of other persons, came to the spot, and they carried the deceased to the house. Before this Mr. Hewit,on had been ill ; his mind was much agitated ; be was fretful and exceedingly morose. Mr. Wake proceeded to state, that he used every entreaty to prevail upon him to desist from his horrid purpose. Mrs. Hewitson came up, apprehending what her husband was about to do, and saw the flash of the gun. She ran back for Mr. k;alter, the surgeon, who lived close by, and he came immediately, and rendered every UStistauce in his power, but in vain. The deceased lived until twelve o'clock, a great part of which time he appeared to endure the most extreme agony. He was continually calling on God for mercy, and to have the perspiration wiped from his face; hut expressed no regret on account of the fatal deed. Mr. Wake then described the position in which the gun was placed. The handkerchief had been tied to a rail, and the muzzle of the gun being put against the breast, as it was drawn towards deceased, the trigger was pulled, and the contents entered the body. Mr. Salter, the surgeon, said that he bad attended deceased in a fit of illness for six weeks, or two months; his complaint occasioned violent spasms, which contracted the stomach and chest, and, indeed, all parts of the body. He was of opinion that the illness had injured his intellect, and that at times be laboured under insanity. The Jury then examined the wound, said they were all satisfied the deceased was deranged, and gave a verdict accordingly. The deceased was a gentleman of Irish extraction, and veined to be of elevated birth. He has a brother of long ' standing :n the army, and is understood to have been at one time possessed pf a large income; but being in, emharassed circumstances, he undertook to perform the duties of die 80. Mr. Ford, of Neaten in the Marsh, Gloucestershire, the Vicar of stourpaine, by wham he was paid 701. a-year. The parishioners complain that the allowanceas their payments amount to from Wag4ool.vetio'YfrOirOiald.elleula.talum, a part of which belongs to Mr. Tinney, a lawyer, of Salisbury, who has what they call the paisonage.  A.