The Sun. — 1835-05-08 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF ADMIRAL LEWIS.  Yesterday an inquest was instituted relative to the death of Admiral John Lewis, at No. 2, Avenue-road, St. John's Wood-road, where deceased resided when he committed the dreadful act which deprived him of life. The following is the evidence adduced on the melancholy occasion : F. G. Hicks, 33, George-street, Hanover-square, being sworn, said—l am a surgeon. I knew the deceased for many years, and have attended him professionally, but not so within the last nine months. He was sixty-five years of age. Yesterday morning, at half-past seven o'clock, I was called to deceased's house, and I found the unfortunate gentlemen lying on his bed quite dead. I examined the body and perceived a wound on each temple. There was a communication between the wounds which satisfied me that they were caused by a bullet. The deceased's death must have been instantaneous. There were two pistols on the floor of the room, and there was a mark on the shutter of the window, seemingly from a bullet. Coroner—When did you last see deceased? Witness— Last Monday. Coroner—Was there anything particular in his appearance ? Witness—There was. He has appeared very strange for some time past. About six months ago I attended a member of his family, and when I was about to leave, which was in the middle of the night, he pressed me to have some breakfast. While we were partaking of the repast, he was very much confused, sometimes calling for things that were on the table, and he put the cream into the teapot. These circumstances made me think that deceased's intellects were impaired. I have latterly frequently seen him put his hand to his head as if in pain. He was a Rear-Admiral in the British navy, and while I have been acquainted with him seemed generally in excellent health.  Mr. John Lewis, a Lieutenant in the Hon. East India Company's Madras service, said—The deceased was my father, and I lived with him. I saw him last, alive, on Tuesday night, and wished him good night, as was usual, being about to retire to bed. fle answered me in the same manner, and I then retired to my chamber, leaving him down stairs. The next morning, while I was dressing, I heard the report of fire-arms, followed by the falling of a heavy body, I ran to my father's apartment, and discovered him covered with blood, leaning against a clothes' press. Two ladies, living in the house, were in the room when I entered. I saw that my father had shot himself; He was insensible, and soon breathed his last,  A Juror—The'night before his death did he seem un easy Witness--He did ;he seemed very much wit'  and evidently forced a calmness. A Juror—Was your father married ? Witness—He '. A Juror—Did his wife live in the house ? Witness--N°' A Juror—Did you consent to the marriage ? Witness--• I was never consulted about it. A Juror—Had you not some words with your the! about his marriage ? Witness—l never quarrelled did him. I had remonstrated with him relative to it, but 1 ,": not know that it had actually taken place until the night previous to his decease. When my father declared tbas such was the case, I said, " We must make the best of it, then ; I won't desert you." A Juror—Whenever you talked to your father as to 'lift marriage did it have any effect upon him ? Witness•". Very much so ; it seemed to excite him a great deal.:• A Lady named Rebecca Whatly confirmed the sta' ment of the last itness. A Juror—Hew has recently married, I believe ? Witness —I heard him say that he had. to A Juror—The present Mrs. Lewis was a servant him ; was she not ? Witness—She was. I know nnttrs of her as Mrs. Lewis. I only know her as deceas  servant. n A Juror—When did you last see her? Witness-4 loolu*  January. She quitted his service on the 18th of that wt. om _., Wit A Juror—Was she not in this house yesterday. —I can't say. I believe she was. h ling 30 Other evidence, confirmatory of the preceding, given, the Jury returned a verdict—" That the clece shot himself while in a state of temporary insanity?'