The Sun. — 1856-03-10 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF AN OFFICER.  An act of determined self-destruction was committed at an early hour yesterday morning by Mr. HoWard' Douglas Aytoun, ensign in the 15th Regiment, and godson of Sir Howard Douglas, colonel of the regiment. The fatal act was accomplished with a razor, in bis bedroom, in the Royal Barracks. It would appear that he bad been a man of inexpensive and abstemious habits, aad of a retiring disposition. He was 26 years of age, though he looked at ieast 33, and had formerly belonged to the Fifeshire Militia, from which, about two montbs since, he was appointed to the 15tb. Pecuniary embarrassment seems to have weighed on his mind, and it is said that the prospect of peace, which would lessen his hope of advancement in a profession which he joined rather later in life than usual, had also a depressing in• fluence en him. Previous to joining the FifeslAire Militia he bad been to the Australian gold diggings, and was heard to say that he returned home a poorer man than he went. That the dreadful act by which be terminated his existence was premeditated there can be little doubt from the following memorandum, which was found in his bed ; it was evidently written hastily, in large, unconnected, and straggling letters, on the back of a card on which was printed an almanac for the present year and an interest and discount table. The memorandum was as follows :—" I gave my watch to Gaskin, to dispose of for 101. There are 71. in my desk." The desk alluded to was found to contain 61. 2s. 6J., and a number of letters.  J. E. Hyndman, Esq , one of the city coroners, held an inquest on the body at 2 o'clock. The following evidenee was given : Major Cole, 15th Regiment, said—The deceased joined the regiment about two months ago, from the Fifeshire Militia. He kept very much aloof from his lorotherofficers. It seemed from his demeanour as if something weighed on his mind. I never saw him i,'rink wine or spirits of any description at tile mess. He did not even take beer. When I saw him last, about two days ago,'there was nothing striking or particular in his manner. In consequence of seeing the card found on his bed (above copied), I sent to Messrs. Cane, Dawson-street, to inquire how his account stood. I received from them the letter now produced, dated March 4, written by deceased. The letter asks for an advance of 91. till the end of the month, to be remitted to a writer in Cupar Fife, Scotland. A postscript of the letter asks whether an order could be cashed in Scotland without heavy clediv:!. tions, but directs that no movement should be made in the matter till he w•a•+ heard from again. I understand that Mr. Cane being out, he did not get the cash. "lig regimental debts only amount to 4/. 19s. 6d., which should have been paid by the 10th of this month. I saw a letter this morning from the paymaster of the Fifeshire regiment, requiring payment of a small balance. The  answer of the decealed, which is not sent, demurs to the debt. From the first day I saw him I formed the idea that he had something heavily weighing on his mind. It was generally remarked by the other officers. He seems to have been quartered at Cnpar, which may account for his having some small debts there. Thos. byce, Esq., surgeon, 15th Regiment, said—Deceased bad been on the sick list since the 4th inst. His complaint was very trifling, and he was not confined to bed. I saw him yesterday, and prescribed for, him. I observed nothing unusual in his manner. He generally seemed in very low spirits, as if something disturbed his mind. At half-past 9 o'clock this morning a private of the regiment reported that deceased had cut his throat. I immediately went to his quarters, and found him lying on the,floor in a corner of the room, quite dead. I hare no reason to Fay that he was labouring under temporary derangement. He bad evidently died from loss of blood. I cameo"; say whether the wound ens inflicted by d eceased. Richard B Ile deposed as follows—l was servant to deceased for a month and four days past. I saw deceased alive last at a quarter to ten o'clock last night. He called me to bring him some barley-water. I brought it to him, and he said " That will do for to-night." He was dressed then. I saw him in the lobby, but was not in the room. Ho went in and shut the door. I had seen him several times durin, the day. He was writing letters a great part of the day. He gave me two to post at half-past one o'clock. Ido not recollect who they were addressed to. I left a letter, from him, at Messrs. Cane's, in Dawson-street, on Tuesday, and brought back an answer, which I delivered to him. I did not observe anything peculiar in his manner yesterday or last night, when I last saw him. I went to his room at half-past seven o'clock this morning, as usual. I found the door locked. I knocked, but got no answer ; being on the sick list, I thought he was asleep. I reported the fact to a servant-man named Harris, at nine o'clock; he cam, down with me, and we forced open the door, having knocked again and got no answer. We found deceased lying on the floor, in his night-dress, dead. I never had heard him speak of money matters. I knew of his owing some small debts. I have no reason to think he was deranged. Surgeon George Porter described the wounds. Either would cause his death, though, if promptly assisted, they might not have been fatal. The jury found that "The deceased died from loss of blood, which flowed from two wounds inflicted on his throat by himself, last night or this morning, while la. bJuring under temporary derangement of mind."