The Sun. — 1859-09-20 (London, England)

SUICIDE.  An inquest was held at Cambridge, on Saturday last, on the body of Henry John Masters, of the East-road, who had committed suicide by hanging himself in a loft on the previous evening. It appeared that the deceaSed had been in a desponding state for some time, and had been heard to say that he was a wretched man ; that he was considered nothing more than a boy at home, and was not allowed by his wife to take any active part in the business, and such like remarks. On the evening of his death he left at the house of Mr. Reuben Houghton, his most intimate friend, about half-past eight, some papers, consisting of a will made on the 31st ult., and a policy of assurance on his own life for £lOO, bidding Mr. Houghton goodbye, and looking very wild. On Friday morning he sent a little boy named Arthur Benton for a rope, and gave him twopence to purchase it with, but when it was brought to him he said it was not thick enough, and gave him another halfpenny to fetch a thicker one, telling him that it was a pig's rope that he wanted. With this he hanged himself. He left behind him several long letters. One of them, addressed to his wife, was filled with reproaches about the manner in which she had treated hith ever since he had married her. It concluded as follows :—" But I forgive you all, as I am going to leave all that was once dear to me. I hope you Will be more kind to Polly and Jessy, and let them be treated the same as the others. May God in his infinite mercy turn the hearts of your unruly family, and show them and you that they have lost a more valuable friend than you prized in my lifetime ; may is 5t neverdying spirit, hover over you and keep you from all harm. You will get married again ; I pity the unfortunate man that ever comes under your roof, he might as well be a toad under an arrow. There is some difference between the smiles in the shop and the frowns in the room ; you cannot when alone give a kind answer. Oh, the deceit no one could believe ! I always was cheerful before strangers as I did not wish to let every one know what a fool I had made of myself ; I can safely say the face has worn the smile when the heart bleedeth, and many have said he has jumped into a good home ; I can safely say I jumped out of one. You know I was unhappy—why did you not try to soothe me ? No, but you were the more aggravating. Give my kindest rove to Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, Miss Mutimoor ; give Mr. Bailey, my best great coat, Mr. Houghton my two black waistcoats ; give Simon Clark my three others ; mr best black coat to Mr. Scott, Burleigh-street, and hats ; give the remainder of clothes to my cousin Swan (butcher), opposite Mr. Walton's, East-road ; and further, when you see my child go to school, look upon her as one destitute, an orphan, through your unkindness. My God ! my God ! I thank you that you have left me nerve enough to write these few lines. When the wind blows and the snow falls meditate upon these few lines, and say, 'God forgive his sins, and take him to that heavenly rest where there is all joy and happiness." Keep this, look at it well, and you know all is the truth, so help me God. My time is getting short now, so I write no more. I go and pray to my heavenly Father to forgive my sins, and yours, and those connected with us. No more on earth from your loving and unhappy husband. " J. H.