The Shropshire Examiner and all round the Wrekin advertiser. — 1874-11-28 (Wenlock, Shropshire, England)

THE CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE AND THE  SUICIDAL MANIA.  The social feeling of Bristol city has just received a sudden shock occasioned by the unhappy end of the young girl who committed suicide one day last week by Jumping from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and the verdict which the jury returned at the inquest on the, body. Foe "our 'own part, we fully agree with the verdict. We do not see that the jury could conscientiowdy and faithfully return any other. The evidence given fully proved that the young woman, at the time she committed the rash act, was in her right mind. Undoubtedly, and undeniably, for the sake c;f humanity, the verdict of felo-tle-ie should never be returned; but, when anyone really does commit wilful self-murder, when to all appearances that person at the time was in possession of a fully developed mind, then, the jury, if they carry out their convictions in accordance with their oath, can return no other verdict, notwithstanding the fact that they will he subject to criticism end censure from the outside world.  however, the 'suicide has been effected, and all the correspondence or talk in the world will not alter it. The question at issue is, or rather ought to be, how can I these suicides be prevented ? Many plami have been suggested, but as yet nothing has apparently satisfied the Bridge,Company as to its efficiency and cost. The ' thin which we would suggest is, that iron bars of a semi-circular shape should be fixed into the wood work on the top of the outer barricade, as it at present stands, thus forming a sort of head to the footway, without interfering with either horse or foot passenger traffic. These bare would in no way cause the bridge to look any the worse for their presence, but rather add to the beauty of that magnificent structure. Or, even if they did make the bridge look any the worse, are not human lives of more value than the appearance of any Suspension Bridge? These bare, We would suggest, should he of inch iron, am! nine inches apart;_ they might be made secure enough into the wood work, no as not to require anything to support them at the other end, or, it not, then an iron bar might be fastened from upright to upright, and the other bars screwed to it. This plan, we think, is more practicable and cheaper than any yet proposed, and therefore take the liberty of offering it to the company for acceptance or otherwise as they may think fit. As to the assertion that.the company is not prepared to carry out any plan whatever,. is, to our minds, most decidedly wrong. Da they value the appearance of the bridge more than the increased traffic they would have, were not so many suicides committed from the bridge ? The Clifton suspension bridge is an object of admiration to thousands yearly, not only to the citizens, hat by many who visit the city from all parts of the world, and shall they be allowed to go away and say that they have seen "Bristol's magnet for suicides " still tempting the weak-minded to self-destruction ?' ' It h, to: our Mind, the cause of great sorrow awl regret that the bridge, situated us it is, in the midst of all that is lovely and beautiful, commanding MO does one of if not the most romantic and picturesque sdhneries in the kingdom, should have such a sad history. It is very touchivg to think that such a life which should have been full of hope and pri le should have been sacrificed from such a grand and noble structure. The heart of this young girl should have beatenligh with the impulse of true love. She should have been full of e;pectancy and hope ; but alas ! there could, not have been much hope in her bosom, when she committed the rash act which has caused an much comment, added another to the already too long list of suicales, and scut a thrill of horror and remorse through the hearts of all to whom she was dear. The shock has not only been felt by those 'rho reside in the city and neighbourhood, but it has been felt throughout the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. For the sake of all that is good, and pure, and lovely, we appeal to those having authority to endeavour by all means in their power to adopt some preventative, so as to put an end to so sad a state of things. The plan we propose would, we doubt not, be effectual, cheap, and pretty, and therefore we have ventured to suggest it, while we have been actuated by feelings of love toward our fellow-beings to offer it for the fair and just consideration of the public of Bristol; and if something be done which has the desired effect of restraining or stopping these heart-rending calamities, whether it be our plan or any other, we shall be centent with the thought that we have done our duty in this matter. A local poet has written the following, which bears out our views : Another deaLli ! another suicide From the Suspension-bridge! such was the cry Which shocked and startled all a week gone by, Whilst many a tender-hearted bosom sighed, And many a man to his companion cried, Shall such things be P Can nought be done to stay Ach sad recurrences another day P '.011,3 is the tenth by this sad death bath died." Dot Mammon'S voice now interferes, and pleads "Actions like these yen cannot stop." We can Devise at least some charitable plan To render diftcidt such desperate deeds ; 'Twere better else to call this bridge besides, The Bridge of Sighs, or Bridge of Suicide..