The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-08-17 (London, England)

LAMENTABLE SUICIDE. Yesterday evening an inquisition was taken before J. w, Earwig, T.q. and a respectable Jury, at the Black horse Ta. vern, Kingsland-road, on view of the body of James Houleg. Esq. a gentleman of high respectability, and at one time an officer of. rank ia his Majesty's Nary. After the Jury had viewed the deceased, who presented a most horrifying spectacle, his head being almost severed from hie body, and his left hand nearly amputated from his arm, the following extraordinary circumstances, as connected with this melancholy catastrophe, were given in evidence;_ Mr. Thomas Earthrop, a gentleman residing in King-street, Kingsland-road, stated, that on Sunday morning, about half.pste nine o'clock, he received an urgent message from Mrs. Hunt. the lady in whose house the deceased resided, requesting his immediate attendance, in compliance with which he 'forthwith proceeded to her residence. On his arrival there he found Mrs. Hunt, and the other members of the family, in an inexpressible state of alarm ; he inquired as to its cause, and they informed him that the deceased had locked himself up in the water-closet, that they could neither prevail upon him to answer or open the door, and that they apprehended he had committed some fatal act. Witness immediately burst open the door, on doing which, and on his entering, a most awful scene offered itself to his view : the de. ceased was lying on the floor, weltering in blood, his throat cut from car to car, and a blood stained razor tightly clasped in his right hand. 'Witness immediately ran the Mr. Holmes, a surgeon in the neighbourhood, and on his return with that gentleman they raiexl the deceased from the ground, and found him quite cold and inanimate. The witness, in conclusion, added, that from the clotted appearance of the blood, of which the floor was completely covered, the deceased must, in his opinion, have perpetrated .64 dreadful deed at least two or three hours previous to its discovery. Mrs. E. Hunt, who, in giving her testimony, betrayed the deepest anguish, stated, that about five months since the deceased came to .troard and lodge in her house ; on last Monday week be left home Immediately after breakfast, and did not return until four o'clock in the afternoon, when he appeared dreadfully agitated, and much depressed in spirits ; he then asked her to lend him four or five pounds, which she refused doing, assigning as her reason, that at the time she had not so much cash in the house. On her refusal he again went out, and did not return till the following Thursday. After dinner on that day he informed her that he was married on the day before (Wednesday), and that he and his bride bad spent their nuptial day at Richmond. His wife was not then with him, as he said he had left her under the protection of her friends; anal he expressed his intention of bringing her home that night. At the close of this conversation he left the house; but previous to doing so he ordered supper to be got ready at on early hour, sad suitable accommodation to be provided for the reception of Ain. Bottles. He did nor, however, return that evening, not did he make his appearance until the ensuing Saturday, at which time witness remonstrated with him on his breach of promise, in not re. turning on Thursday evening, particularly as she had been pat to inconvenience by making arrangements for his and his lady's re. ception. He appeared much depressed on her speaking to him, but readily admitted his error, at the same time observing, that it was not the only one he had committed. He then told her that ha was about going into the country, and that Mr. Gadsden would settle his account. Upon these words he left the house; and containing out about half en hour lie returned, and informed her that he had changed his mind, and that he was now determined to reside with her some time longer. On Saturday evening he brought home his bride, and on the evening of that day they dined together. After dinner both went into the garden and lawn, where they walked for some; his spirits were evidently much 'depressed, and-nov(lMb. standing every exertion on her part, and that of his wife, to revive them, they still manifested a deeper character of dejection. Hs and Mrs. Houle% retired to rest at half-past ten o'clock. At the hour of live in the morning the witness heard the back door open, and some person walk into the garden ; this did not surprise her, as the deceased had been in the habit of taking very early walks. About nine o'clock, witness finding it necessary to go to the water. closet, discovered that its door was fastened; she in consequence walked about the garden, in momentary expectation of the wage coming out. After waiting a considerable time, her patience at length became quite exhausted, anti she rapped several times st the door, but received no answer. This continued silents ,excited her alarm so much, that she thought it advisable to pro. ore the assistance of the last witness. In answer to some further interrogatories from the Coroner and Jurors, the witness said that she had been informed by Mrs. IRoules that the deceased had scarcely interchanged one single ',Liable with her during the preceding night. When she received him into her family he came furnished with excellent references both as to character and respectability He was most regular sod -gentlemanly both in his manners and habits. She never perceived ;anything extraordinary about him until last Monday week, when a very evident change took place in his dkmesnour. Several gentle. men of respectability were in the habit of visiting him. She had heard that at one period he had been an officer of rank in his -Majesty's Navy, and that some embarrassments he laboured under were attributable to a dispute with some of the members of his 'family. The deceased was about sixty, and his wife twenty.foar years of age. The Coroner recapitulated the evidence to the Jury, they imme:diatelv returned a Verdict of Suicide, committed by Ms de. ceased, while under the influence of mental' derangement." From the severe wound on the wrist, it is natural to Meow that this unfortunate gentleman contemplated bleeding himself to death; but that not finding his mode of accomplishing his ohjcct efficiently P-- lie his "  scat alb expeditious, _ drew the razor across dui" The union between the deceased and his ill-fated bride wu the result of a long attachment. She is, as we are informed, the dsegh• ter of most respectable parents, but, possessing no more of this world's goods than an amiable disposition and personal charms of the first order, an alliance with the deceased was di•plesaing to" family, and was, it 'amid, the cause of the difference which esisted between them.