The Sun. — 1851-06-30 (London, England)

LEFT SPEAKING  ROMANTIC SUICIDE OF A SOLDIER. The Cork Constitution gives the following romantic account of the suicide of a soldier in that city, in the frenay of love Some weeks since a private of the 40th Regiment, named Alfred Winstanley, an Englishman, about twentyeight years of age, who had been in the service about ten years, became acquainted with a young woman named Mary Low, the daughter of a military pensioner. His proposal of marriage was accepted, with the proviso that he got leave to marry from his commanding officer. This ho was reluctant to ask, for some cause which remains unexplained, and her parents, considering it imprudent to sanction the marriage of their daughter under any other circumstances, determined to conclude the intimacy between her and Winstanley by sending her on a visit to an uncle in London. On Wednesday ho got leave to remain out of barracks until eleven o'clock, and visited Low's house, where he remained until half-past ten. During this time he learned that Mary was to leave Cork the next morning at seven o'clock by the Ajax steamer, for London. He returned to barracks within his leave, and, after reporting himself, scaled the walls and escaped, and again returned to Low's, and entreated to be admitted, but was refused, though he threatened, if not, to throw himself into the river. Early the next morning he again endeavoured to gain admittance into Low's, but was refused, and eventually left, declaring he would destroy himself. He then went into an adjacent house, and borrowed a breakfast cup. From this ho proceeded to the oil and colour shop of Mr. Dennis Connor, in the North Main-street, where he asked fur half-a-pint of oil of vitriol, for, as he said, removing stains from his crossbelts. Having got the vitriol in the cup, ho hurried along Kyrrs-quay to Levitt's-quay, where he met Mary Low with her mother and sisters, on her way to the steam-ship. In a frienzied manner, he asked her if she would deceive him—if she was about to leave him who was so fond of her?' She moved on, and he followed, and holding up',jhe cup said, Mary, you know I love you, and if you don't stop and marry me, this will end my existence. You know I can't live without you, and this must put me out of pain.' Her mother then pushed her from him, when he immediately drank the vitriol, threw the cup into the river, and leaped several feet from the ground, screaming frightfully. At this moment a private soldier of the 84th Regiment came up, when Winstanley, poitting after Mary Low, said, There—there she is ; she's the cause of it—it is she's to blame." Actingconstable Edwards then came up and removed the unfortunate man to the North Infirmary, where he was at ones attended by Dr. Popham and Surgeon Gordon, who administered carbonate of magnesia, and the usual anedotes, but the corrosive effects of the poison were so id.mediate as to render all efforts unavailing Dr. Haverty, the surgeon of the 40th, sutsequently saw him, and continued with Dr. Popham to attend him until his death, which took place at two o'clock yesterday morning, after indescribable suffering, which he bore with patience. During Thursday, although writhing with pain, he asked everybody who entered the ward in which he lay, 'ls she coming? for if I get but one glimpse of her it will remove all my rain, and I shall die easy.' Deceased had a medal and star for several engagements in Indio, where ho had served with credit.