The Sun. — 1824-06-24 (London, England)

CORONERS' INQUEST.  SUICIDE BY A LADY.  Yesterday afternoon an Inquest was hi-sld at the sign of the Worcester Arms, George-street, Portman square. before T11031A5 STIRLINO, Esq., on the body of Eleanor Bettisworth, aged about 40, who lately resided in the house of Captain Willoughby, of the b6th regiment, No. 11, Montague, street, Portman-square, where she put a period to her existence, by hanging herself. The first witness examined was Eleanor Brown, who being sworn deposed, that she is cook in the service of Captain Willoughby, and had known the deceased for the last six years, during part of which period she was in health, but latterly she had very much altered In her mind, and became exceedingly whimsical, so much so that witness felt perfectly satisfied that her intellects were deranged. Tuesday morning witness was in the kitchen, when 'she was alarmed by Captain Willoughby, her master, who called for assistance, as the deceased had hanged herself. Witness proceeded up stairs, and beheld the deceased lying on the landing-place of the second floor, where she had fallen after having been cut down by her master. A doctor was sent for, but the deceased was quite dead. Witness had no doubt but the deceased committed the act herself, in a state of temporary derangement. Several of the Jury expressed themselves perfectly satisfied with the testimony of this witness, and from motives of delicacy towards the feelings of Captain Willoughby, who was represented to be extremely affected at the lamentable event, were ready to dispense with his testimony ; but he being the first individual who discovered the deceased hanging, the majority of the Jury conceived that his evidence would be material to bring their minds to a satisfactory conclusion. The CORONER suggested, that as Captain Willoughby was so much afiected, the Jury might walk to his house and hear his evidence prior to viewing the body of the deceased, which the Jury accordingly did. On their arrival, Captain Willoughby was sworn. He deposed that the deceased had been known to him for the last twenty-five years, during the latter part of which time she was considerably changed in her mind and manners, especially within the last twelvemonths. The last time witness saw the deceased was on Tuesday last, at about half-past eight o'clock in the morning, when witness was in his room, preparing to leave home to breakfast with a friend. The deceased entered the room, and after conversing with witness a little, she requested him to put away some plate, which she had frequently perplexed him to do. She shortly afterwards quitted the room, and on witness being ready to go out, he proceeded to the stairs to call the deceased to inform her of his departure ; and receiving no answer to his calls, he proceeded to the drawing-room, but he found she was not there ; he immediately, repaired up stairs towards the attic, where he saw the deceased's legs, and discovered that she had suspended herself by a coed to the bannisters. He instantly made an alarm and called last -witness, and proceeded down stairs for a knife, with which he cut the deceased down, and sent for a surgeon, but all pulsation-had ceased, and she was quite dead. Believed her to be insane. During the period of Capt. Willoughby giving his evidence, he was exceedingly affected, and shed tears, and it was with considerable difficulty that he conquered his grief. Several of his friends who had been condoling with him were present. The Jury returned a verdict--"..That the deceased committed the act herself, while labouring under temporary derangement."  Melrose-hall, near Wandsworth, has been sold to the Marquis of STAFFORD,- and not to the Marquis of HERTFORD, as erroneously stated, by private contract, for 30,0001.