The Express. — 1846-09-19 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A UNITARIAN MINISTER BY  TAKING PRUSSIC ACID.  On Thursday much excitement Was caused in Lincoln, in consequence of a report that the Rev. Frederick Fisher, the Unitarian minister, bad been found dead in bed. The deceased was about Xi years of age, had only been in Lincoln a few weeks, and resided at the house of Miss Grubb, in Portland-place. On the morning in question, as he did not come down at the usual breakfast hour, a little girl was sent up, who reported that he was asleep. About 12 o'clock, his non-appearance caused some anxiety, and the girl being again sent up. said that she did not see him breathe. A medical gentleman, residing in the immediate neighbourhood, Mr. llarvey, one of the magi.: trates of the city, was sent for, and on entering the bedroom, found that he was dead. The deceased was lying in a tranquil posture, his arms folded across his breast. Mr. Harvey perceived on the table a small phial, uncorked ; a little fluid remained at the bottom, which he ascertained to be prussic acid. The deceased had formerly been a solicitor in good practice, but about five yearn ago became a Unitarian minister. His father is a merchant in Sheffield. Mr. Middleton, ironmonger, of Lincoln, who is acquainted with the family, instantly despatched a messenger to apprize them of the sad event. _  At an inquest, which was held the same evening, at the Black Swan tavern, be fore Mr. Coroner Ilitehins, Miss Grubb, at whose house the deceased resided, said that I Mr. Fisher had recently been verse much unsettled in his mind; that insinuations had been thrown out respecting his moral character previous to his taking upon himself the ministry, which he said were untrue, but which made it uncomfortable to him to remain in Lincoln ; and yet if he went away malignant reports would followhimelsewhere, and prevent his obtaining a congregation. He had expressed a fear of being left alone, and had asked Miss Grubb to sit with him. On oae occasion he had said in conversation that he thought no person would commit suicide who was not insane. Mr. Harvey said that it was not the concentrated prussic acid but the diluted acid, as usually sold by the chemists, which Mr. Fisher had taken; and from the remaining warmth in the body he did not suppose that it had been taken over night, but in the morning, from four to eight hours before being found. The remaining evidence was as to the state of mind :of the deceased, and the calumnies that had wrought him up to a state of excitement, and finally to insanity. Mr. Richard Wish said, that he called on Mr. Fisher the previous evening, by his own desire. Mr. Fisher complained that Mr. Lampray, his predecessor as Unitarian minister, had insulted him. He said, " I suppose you are going to have a tea-party at the City Assembly-rooms, which is to finish off with a hall, and you are to lead off the polka with Mrs. ." Mr. Lamprey said this in a sneering manner. Whilst he (witness) was with Mr. Fisher, Mr. Lampray called. He was asked to walk up stairs; but he said, " No; you have Wiph with you, an'. I want to speak to you in private." Mr. Fisher took his hat and went out; he returned in about a quarter of an hour, very much agitated. He said that Mr. Lampray had called him a liar; he said, that if that was his ccnduct, he could have nothing more to do with him. _ .  Mr. George Gadsby said, that on Sunday morning Mr Fisher preached a splendid sermon, from the text, "Put on charity." Immediately service was over, Mr. Lamprey said to witness, " There must be a congregational meeting, and went into the vestry. Wit:llo4f followed, he saw, " Mt. Lampray go up to Mr. Fisher, in a very excited manner, and say to him, "That was preached at me ; you have been preaching Mr. Stannus's sermon." Mr. Fisher mildly replied that it was his own sermon, and he had written it before Mr. Stannus's was printed. Witness supposed that what had occurred on the Friday previous was what was alluded to. In the evening Mr. Lamprey came into the chapel late, and made a good deal of bustle. Mr. Fisher said that Mr. Lamprey had accused him of being drunk, but that his conduct that evening seemed as if he were drunk himself. On Monday evening, as witness was taking tea, Mr. Fisher called  White 4ll 0.-67 0 Foreign, brown.— N 11...43 0 Yellow . 44 0_66 0 Orgy and white 47 0...30 0 Beamed, Ilarabro' 65 0.. 72 0 Lumps . 01 44... 0 117Mres, in Band. West India, ordinary SS 0... 40 0 Goad. 45 0... 60 0 Moe_ . . 70 6..100 0 Ceylon. geed cli: 39 0... 40 0 Ma ordinary._ 41 0 45 0 nen 66 0 . 90 0 to6nes2 0.. 66 0 OsenwilsiV ordlexileline B4 0... 55 0 and Padens 2l 0... 25 0 CAJCOA Balk 34 0... 46 0 Pasta 31 0. 35 0 TY, at per lb. Oinnels,ememon 0 101 Ykss, at per cwt.