The Sun. — 1845-11-06 (London, England)

MELANCHOL Y SUICIDE. (From the Jersey Times, Oct. 28.) It is our melancholy duty to-day to record one of the most distressing occurrences which it has ever been our lot to bring under public observation. Miss Emily Bond, a young lady of considerable personal attractions, residing in St. Mark's-terrace, died on Saturday by her own hand, under circumstances of a peculiarly painful nature. A tale of mystery seems darkly to enshroud this melancholy affair, over which, perhaps it were as well to draw a veil. It were needless for us on the present occasion to disclose every circumstance connected with the doleful act which has happened to fall under our knowledge; it is sufficient for us at the present moment to aver that, from some cause or other, having either a proximate or remote connection with what in common parlance is designated " love," the young lady in question had for some considerable period been labouring under a state of mind bordering upon insanity. The unhappy woman seems to have gone through the act with the must cool and deliberate premeditation. On the morning of the day on which she perished, she spoke to the landlady of the house in which she resided in her usual manner, not betraying auy symptoms of excitement beyond those generally incident in her character. She was last seen alive about twelve o'clock in the forenoon, .at which period she retired to her bed-room, with the intention of again speedily coming down stairs for the purpose of making the usual preparations for dinner. Two hours passed away and still the unfortunate lady did no' make her appearance; and the clock had already struc two, when it was considered necessary to arouse from the slumber into which it was supposed she have fa:len. No answer being returned to the repeate knocks by the servant at the door of her chain ber, a dread was inspired in the minds not only of the landlady of the house and ber husband, but also of the young lady's father, that something unusual must have happened. To break open the door was now the only alternative left to put an end to their suspense, end the old gentleman at this juncture is said to have expressed himself to the effect that he was prepared for the worst which might happen, thereby implying the general uncertainty connected with the state of mind of his daughter. An entrance having been thus effected, the fears previously conceived now stood before them in dread reality, for, horrid to relate, the first object which caught the eye was the lifeless body of the unfortunate woman, suspended by the neck from the iron rod which stretches between the lower posts of the bedstead. Medical assistance being promptly called, no means which could be resorted to were able to restore animation, death having taken place at least two hours previously. We have proceeded thus far in our account of this melancholy affair, and we can anticipate the observations which we imagine will be uttered in regard to ourselves. It has been stated that the tragical occurrence which has just taken place, was attributable to an article published in this paper on Friday last; and if the allegation be correct, we beg thus publicly to express our most sincere sorrow and commiseration. The observations therein implied were grounded upon information with respect to the truth of which no doubt could be entertained. Here was a young woman plunged in the most profound depths of that peculiar feeling which is said sometimes to attach universally to the human character. She had seen an individual for whom she had cherished a warm affection • letters, according to her own account, were said to have passed between the parties and the gentleman broadly hinted at in her statement of the affair was stated to have professed to wards her a warmth of love almost equal to her own. She said that she had received letters from him, that at the hour of night, when no human eye beheld and no human ear heard, the lady and her sweetheart met together; that circumstances happened which it were needless that we should here detail, but which if true must ever cause the memory of the deed to rankle in the breast of him who was its perpetrator. The day on which the last and final interview took place the mind of the unhappy woman became agitated to an extreme degree. Her former calm and innocent behaviour was now converted into frequent and incoherent reprehensions of him whom she alleged was her deceiver. She offered up a fervent wish to God that her brother was on the spot, and that to him she might confide the terrible burden which pressed upon her heart. The information was conveyed to the individual who now pens these lines, and the article was written, not that it should affect the heart or feelings of the unhappy woman, but that it might either strike to the core the individual whose future peace of mind was so terribly at stake, or cause him to come forward and vindicate his innocence. Thus far and no farther will we at present proceed in this our melancholy duty. If there be a feeling which can ever soothe our own mind in our future career, it will be the consciousness that we have injured no one wilfully, or sent a fellow mortal unprepared before her maker. We court the strictest and most 'earthing inquiry, and it will be mere mockery of legal investigation, if none should be given. It will only be sufficient for us in addition to state that the unhappy woman had been previously confined in a mad-house as a lunatic, and is said on a former occasion shave attempted the crime of self-destruction.