The Sun. — 1861-10-11 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF VISCOUNT 10.R7H.  We have to record the suicide of the Viscount Forth, which occurred at Gloucester on the Bth inst. The late Viscount was the only son of the Earl of Perth, and was born at Naples in 1834. As will be remembered, his name figured conspicuously in a divorce case, which appeared in our columns some months ago, in which some sad revelations of the deceased nobleman's habits of life were disclosed by the Viscountess Forth in her examination before Sir Cresswell Cresswell. The deceased nobleman came to Gloucester in July last, and took up his abode at the Spa Hotel, under the name of Captain Drummond. He was accompanied by a lady about his own age, who passed as Mrs. Drummond. On the 19th ult, the lady gave birth to a female child, but afterwards became very ill, and was attended by Drs. Evans and Greaves. Their skill, however, proved of no avail, for she expired at five o'clock on the morning of the Bth inst. The deceased nobleman was with her at the time of her death, was very much grieved,, and wept bitterly. Soon afterwards he commenced drinking brandy, and appeared like a madman. In this distracted state he continued for several hours, after which he commenced packing his own and the deceased lady's clothes, and in doing so he took a small roll of paper up, saying "This belongs to me.', He then left that room (in which were the nurse and landlady) and proceeded to another opposite, followed by the nurse, whose suspicions were excited by his conduct. He asked what was the matter, at the same time putting a bottle to his mouth. The nurse exclaimed, " Good God, he's got hold of the laudanum bottle !" The landlady seized the bottle and succeeded in wresting it from him, but not until he had drunk nearly half. He said, " It's only a little port wine," and descended to the sitting-room. A doctor was sent for and soon arrived; he found his lordship walking up and down in the room, and was just in time to prevent him from cutting his throat with a knife. The deceased nobleman continued to walk up and down the room, until at last he exclaimed, " Oh ! how funny I feel," and became insensible. The stomach-pump was used, but without success ; it was found impossible to restore him. An inquest on the body of the deceased was commenced yesterday afternoon. James Coyte, solicitor, of 21, Lincoln's-inn-fields, London, identified the deceased as Lord Forth, commonly called Viscount Forth. Believed he was 27 years of age. Saw him alive about two months since in London. The deceased was the only son of the Earl of Perth.  Mrs. Holland, landlady of the Spa Hotel, deposed that the deceased first came to the hotel a fortnight before the Summer Assizes as Captain Drummond with a lady whom he called his wife. They remained for a fortnight, and then went during the assizes to an adjoining house, and then returned to the hotel. Mrs. Drummond died on Tuesday morning, having been confined three weeks previously with a child which is now living. The deceased had not been in bed for three weeks, and on Tuesday morning witness went into his room. Mr. Greaves, surgeon, took a knife from him. The deceased afterwards began to pack his clothes, and appeared almost out of his mind. He said he had left something in the other room, and he must fetch it. He then went into the bedroom where the deceased lady lay, took something out of a drawer, and put it up to his mouth. Her servant, who was nigh, said, " Good God ! he has got the laudanum." Witness went up to him and took it from him. Ho said it was only port wine. (The bottle, with the remainder of the laudanum in it, was produced ; it bore a label, "Laudanum—poison," and had been purchased for the lady from a local chemist.) Witness sent for Mr. Greaves, surgeon. The deceased said he was sure it was port wine he had taken. This was between two and three in the afternoon, and he died about eight o' clock the same evening. The deceased had drank a great deal since he had been in the hotel—principally brandy, but witness never saw him intoxicated. He was dreadfully distressed at the lady's death, and said he should go to London and take the child with him, and commenced packing his things. During her illness she called him so often that he remained in her room every night with the nurse. When witness was watching him and following him about, he said there was no occasion for her to watch him, as he never intended to make away with himself. He told witness the lady's father would pay the bill. After deceased had taken the laudanum he begged witness not to leave him. During the whole of the lady's illness he was much agitated and distressed. They appeared much attached to each other. Dr. Evans and Mr. Greaves were in attendance on her. Susan Hale, a dressmaker, deposed that she was sent for by the deceased lady a fortnight before her confinement, and she had had the care of the infant since. Witness confirmed the evidence of the previous witness as to the circumstances under which the deceased had taken the poison, adding that the deceased on entering the room said he was going to see the dead body of the lady, and that on getting into the room he locked the door, and on witness and Mis. Holland trying to get in he unlocked the door, and then they saw him drinking the laudanum. Ile had drunk about three parts of a pint of brandy at a draught soon after the lady died, and cried and raved about the room. Half an hour before she died she begged him not to cry for her. As soon as she had died the deceased told witness she must go. with him to London with the infant. Before taking the laudanum he had asked witness for it, but she did not know where it was. Jane Phillipps, the nurse who had attended the deceased lady, stated that she never considered her in theany roomdan ngerigh`trhaenddedeaeyaseadt gentleman remainedreguest in . Witness left the deceased lady on Sunday morning last, believing she would go on well. The deceased gentleman drank a good deal. Never noticed anything extraordinary in his manner. They appeared much attached to each other. The bottle produced she never saw before, Laudanum bad been need for