The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1842-05-13 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

APPALLING MURDER AND ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.  (From our Preston Correspondent.)  It is this week our melancholy task to add to the gloomy catalogue of horrid and revolting crimes, which have of late so frequently and so acutely shocked the public mind in this country.  About one o'clock on Saturday afternoon, the inhabitants of Preston were alarmed by the report that a murder had taken place, at the house of Peter Whittle, living in Vickerstreet, near Trinity Church, in that town, a cotton spinner, in the employ of Mr. Thomas Clayton, of Pitt-street. An enquiry was immediately set on foot, when it appeared that the report had too much foundation in truth, and that the transaction to which it referred, was of the most painful and cold blooded character. It seems that Whittle had not been required to attend his customary employment this morning, and that he had spent some portion of the day at a publichouse, or beer-shop, where he had partaken of a few glasses of ale, but, as far as the general opinion goes, had not become, to any observable degree, intoxicated. Some time before the hour we have mentioned, probably about twelve o'clock at noon, he arrived at his house in Vicker-street, where his wife and children resided. The wife, Sarah Whittle, who was a winder, also in the employ of Mr. Clayton, returned from her work between twelve and one, and was, to all appearance, received kindly by her husband, who spoke to her in his usual way, and inquired what time she should finish work for the day. About half an hour after the poor woman had arrived, and after she and her husband had partaken of dinner, a little girl who was in the house, we believe the neice of Whittle, observed him take his victim round the neck, apparently in a playful and affectionate manner. In a few moments, however, the girl perceived something like a struggle, and instantly after observed blood flowing from Mrs. Whittle's breast. At this moment the unfortunate creature ran to the door, and, as well as she could articulate, called out " Murder !" A person, who was passing, immediately conducted her inside the house ; but in a few minutes, and before help could be procured, she expired. In the meantime, the girl's attention was directed to the murderer, whom she discovered in the act of cutting his own throat in the kitchen, where he was afterwards found in an apparently dying state. From inquiry subsequently made on the spot, and by the police, we have ascertained that the weapon which was the instrument of this shocking and twofold crime, was a razor, and that the woman's head was nearly severed from her body. The wretched perpetrator of the tragedy had inflicted two frightful gashes in his throat, but hopes are now entertained of his recovery. He is, of course, under due medical care, and under the surveillance of the police. From the wounds on the murdered woman's hands and person, it would appear that she had struggled severely against the attack of her unnatural assassin. What renders the event, if possible, more distressing, is, that the deceased was considerably advanced in pregnancy. The rumour in the neighbourhood is, that jealousy has impelled the foul and fatal deed ; though the familiar acquaintances of the ill-fated couple state that they lived together on most affectionate terms, and were both considered as of remarkably exemplary character. An inquest was held on the body on Monday afternoon, before R. Palmer, Esq., and a respectable jury, when a verdict of " Wilful Murder," was returned against Peter 'Whittle. The wretched man is not expected to recover from the effect his of wound, but little doubt is entertained of his insanity. He lies at the house of recovery.  UNIVERSITY AND CLERICAL INTELLIGENCE  (From the Oxford Herald.) The following degrees were conferred on Friday :