The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1852-09-21 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

HORRIBLE ATTEMPT OF TWO MAIDEN LADIES TO COMMIT SUICIDE BY STARVATION.  A circumstance of a most extraordinary and painful character, and which, but for the prompt and humane exertions of the parties concerned in bringing it to light, would no doubt have ended fatally, has taken place in the parish of Marylebone. About a month since two ladies of highly respectable appearance, and with manners of a very superior order, whose names have been ascertained to be Harriett and Julia Sharpley, called at the house of Mrs. Turner, No. 41, Adam-street West, London, Edgeware-road, and engaged her back attic, which was at the time to let furnished. They paid their rent regularly, and went out together every @lay for the first fortnight, and their .general appearance, although exceedingly melancholy, piainly betokened that they had seen better days. A fortnight since last Wednesday they ceased to go out as usual, and a week having elapsed since they had been seen or known to leave their room, fears were entertained by Mrs. Turner, the landlady, that something was wrong, as the door was kept locked, and the woman in the adjoining apartment expressed her conviction that they had no food, as she never beard the sound of a plate or a knife and fork. On the afternoon of Wednesday, the Bth instant, Mrs. Turner, with a view to ascertain the cause of their nonappearance, knocked at the door and told them she wanted the room for her son. One of the ladies replied, " Very well," and told ber they would open the door in the evening. She went up, and on their opening the door she found them together, but they would not admit they wanted food, although they appeared in a very desponding and emaciated condition. She went down stairs and made them some tea, and brought up some bread and butter; but although they thanked her for her kindness they declined, saying they could not take it. She, however, insisted on leaving it, and came down stairs, supposing her presence might hurt their feelings. They again locked the door, and feeling her position was a delicate one the landlady did not like to disturb them until Wednesday last, when having received intimation from the lodger in the next room that she heard moans proceeding from the back attic, she felt it her duty to go to Mr. Mackenzie, the beadle and summoning officer of St. Mary's district, who advised Mrs. Turner to have the door forced open, and if what she feared was true to make immediate application to the workhouse. Mrs. Turner acted under the advice, and laid the case before the workhouse authorities. Mr. Collett, one of the inspectors of out-door poor, immediately proceeded to the house, 41, Adam-street, to visit the case, and on entering the apartment he found the sisters lying on the bed dressed and locked in each other's arms. They were both perfectly sensible, but were so weak from want of nourishment that they were unable to stand, and one actually fainted in Mr. Collett's arms as he attempted to raise her. The inspector saw that unless some prompt measures were resorted to a few hours would terminate their existence, as they already appeared in a dying condition. He at once, and in the most humane and praiseworthy manner, sent for brandy and wine, and administered it, mixed with a little water, himself, which appeared to revive the unfortunate ladios. Mr. Grant, one of the medical officers, shortly after attended, and ordered stimulants and nourishment, which had to be administered by force, as the patients were either unwilling, or too weak, to take it. They rallied a little, and on Thursday it was deemed advisable, in order to insure them that constant medical attendance and nourishment the case required, to remove them to the workhouse. Mr. Collett went to the house with a cab for that purpose, and when the sistars were informed where they were to be taken, they expressed the greatest horror and repugnance at going, as they said, to " the union." The removal so affected one, that it was feared, both on the way and after her arrival at the infirmary of Marylebone workhouse, that she would have died. They were, however, ultimately placed in bed, and then attended by Mr. Grant and Mr. Squires, the head surgeon of the infirmary, and by the kind attention of Mrs. Bailey, the nurse, No. 36 ward, they are improving, but are by no means out of danger. It is with great difficulty the nurse compels either of them to take the food ordered for them, and they seem heartbroken at their position.  The further inquiries of Mr. Inspector Collett have led to the following disclosures :—The unfortunate ladies, the eldest of whom is 41 years of age, and the youngest 39, have a father and mother exceedingly aged, and reduced from affluence to live with some relative in a small cottage at Sinefield, near Slough, he having formerly kept a large school in the vicinity of Windsor. His unfortunate daughters were educated as governesses, but being unable to obtain employment, and their parent being unable to support them, they came to London to seek needlework, by which means they hoped to support themselves. They were unsuccessful, and their slender means becoming exhausted, they resolved, rather than be a burden to their parents, or to bring disgrace on their family by applying for relief, to starve together. They still remain in the Marylebone Infirmary, and object to take food. Their condition and their apartment were perfectly cleanly, and it has been ascertained that the only drink they had for more than a fortnight was the drippings from the pipe from the roof of the house.