The Sun. — 1840-10-26 (London, England)

CORONER'S INQUEST.  SUICIDE OF A COUNTY MAGISTRATE.—On Saturday afternoon an inquest was held before Mr. Higgs, deputy coroner for Westminster, and a highly respectable jury, at No. 15, Stratton-street, Piccadilly, on the body of Mr. Henry Rowles, a gentleman of independent property, who destroyed himself under the following circumstances on Friday evening : Edward Easton, footman to the deceased, said, that on Friday evening, about half-past seven o'clock, he was in the servants' hall, and heard the report of a gun ; and on going up into the apartment usually occupied by the deceased, he found him absent. He then called to the housemaid, who came and assisted in searching for him. He then proceeded to the deceased's dressing-room, and found the door shut ; the room was dark. Mr. Blackall and Mr. Henry Holland' were then called in. There was a strong smell of powder in the room. The last time he saw the deceased alive was about halfpast six, when he had dinner. He (witness) did not proceed farther than the dressing-room. The deceased was at home all day, and had only arrived from Maidenhead on Wednesday.  Mr. Henry Holland deposed that he accompanied Mr. Blackall, at whose house he was on a visit, on Friday evening, to the deceased's, in consequence of the information brought by the housemaid of the deceased. Having searched several rooms, and called loudly for the decased by name, they went to the watercloset, when, on opening the door, they were horrorstruck at finding the deceased on the seat in a reclining position, quite dead, his head being literally shattered to atoms. In the deceased's left hand was grasped a double-barrelled gun, the muzzle pointed upwards. On the ground was a boot-hook, with which it was supposed deceased had discharged both barrels. Over deceased's head, on a shelf, was a wax taper still burning. Elizabeth Stoddart, the housemaid, confirmed the testimony of the first witness as to hearing the report of the gun. Deceased had desired her not to let him be disturbed, as he was very busy, and had a deal of writing to do.  Mr. Frederick Blackall deposed that he was son-inlaw of the deceased, and resided in Charles-street, Grosvenor-square. On Wednesday last he was in the company of the deceased for some time, during which deceased appeared very dejected, and, on being asked if he were unwell, said he was very well in body, but was not able to exert himself in business as he formerly used. Witness tried to cheer him up, and left deceased with his son. On Friday afternoon, about five o'clock, be called at deceased's residence, but was told by the footboy, Easton, that his master was not at home, on which witness went home and dined with Mr. Holland ; and at half-past seven, on being fetched by the housemaid, he found the deceased as described.  Mr. Launcelot Holland, of Beckenham, Kent, deposed that be had been intimately acquainted with the deceased. On the 9th inst. deceased came to witness's house in a post-chaise in a very disturbed state of mind, and for some time was unable to speak ; but at last deceased said he had met with a great misfortune, and, on being pressed as to what it was, he said he had not slept for several weeks, and his health had also failed him; in addition to which both his public and private business troubled him, particularly the city portion. Witness recommended him not to trouble himself about those matters, and deceased, after staying a short time, returned home. A few days afterwards he received a note from Mrs. Bowles, requesting, in a most urgent manner, that witness would come to Strattonstreet, as the deceased was in a very low state, and she did not know what to do with him. Witness accordingly went, and deceased on seeing him became more calm. Deceased was (33 years of age, and in early life had been a very active man, and his inability to maintain his usual activity now appeared to have depressed his spirAs. By the Jury—Deceased was a Director of the  Rhymny Ironworks in South Wales, and also of St. Katherine's Dock Co:npany, besides being Chairman of the Globe Fire Insurance Company, the duties of which occupied a great portion of his attention. It further transpired that the deceased gentleman, while carrying on an extensive business as a builder. had erected the Drury-lane Theatre now standing, and several other metropolitan public edifices. The jury declared themselves satisfied with the evidence that had been brought before them, and, after a short consultation, returned a verdict ot—Temporary Insanity.