Star. — 1830-07-17 (London, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE AT PECKHAM.  Yesterday afternoon an inquisition was taken at the Globe Ta. vern, Peckham, before Mr. Carter, coroner, and a very respectable jury, en view of the body of Mrs. Diana Bayne, aged 24 years, a lady of great personal accomplishments, wife of W. B. Baylie, Esq. who committed self-destruction, emanating from the most distressing circumstances. The dreadful affair has produced the greatest excitation and grief in the minds of the inhabitants, with many of whom the unhappy deceased was upon intimate terms, and her amiable qualities en. deared her to all who knew her. After the jury had been sworn, they proceeded ,into the room where the body lay in a coffin and shrouded. Upon the lid being removed, the jury were struck with the placid and youthful appearance of the unfortunate deceased, and many of them who knew her in her lifetime shed tears, and described her to be a most lovely young creature. After fulfilling this part of the business they returned to the inquest room, where the following evidence was received :  Mary Selwyn exesnined-4 live servant in the family of Mr. Baylie, residing at Hill-street, Peckham; I saw ber last alive at about 10 o'clock on Monday night last ; she was then in the par. lour engaged with Mies Dorrity, a friend. Shortly after Miss Dor. rity left the house, and my mistress took the candle and went up stairs, and Aimee Immediately after a double knock came to the door; it was Mr. O'Conner, my mistress's brother-in-law; I showed him into the parlour, whilst I went up to inform my misstres of his arrival; when I entered her bed-room I found my poor lady lying on the floor with her throat cut, and apparently dead. The rase with which she did the deed was grasped in her right hand. I shrieked out, and Mr. O'Connor came up stairs, but on beholding the corpse, be ran out of the room immediately. I ran for Mr. Brett, the surgeon, who came in the moment, but his attendance was of no utility, as she was quite dead. Juror—The lock bas been forced off by violence, and the panels splintered, and appears to have been effected by a poker or hammer. A gentleman present said, that the manner in which the door became in that state would presendybe shown to the jury. Juror—ln what profession is your master ? Witness—He is one of the principal clerks in the ordnance department in the Tower. Juror—When did your master leave home last ? Witness—He left home at about eight o'clock on Friday morning (yesterday week.) Juror—Did he appear to be in anger with his lady when he left home? _ _  ss...—He did; and when my master went out, my mistress followed him in a state of much embarrassment, and I saw them talking in the fields together. Juror—How long was she absent from home before she returned ? Witness—About ten minutes ; and when she came in, she showed much uneasiness in her mind, cried very much, and said Mr. Baylle would not give her a positive answer. I advised her to lie down a bit, which she did. Mr. O'Conner said that the deceased was of a hasty disposition, and bad latterly entertained a jealous feeling towards Mr. Balite, which had caused much acrimony and ill-feeling between them. He called upon her on Monday night, at about 10 o'clock, when he had not been in the house a moment before be was alarmed by the servant, and when he ran up stairs he found the deceased lying as had been described, with her throat cut and quite dead. With lEctto the bed-room door being injured, he would ex. bow It came to be so. Mr. Baylie one evening wished to to go out, which gave great offence to his unfortunate wife, and she fron jealousy locked his clothes in the bed.room, to obtain which he shivered the door open with the poker, which caused the marks of violence upon it alluded to by the jury. Coroner—Were you aware of the absence of Mr. Baylis from his wife ?  Witness—l was, Sir; but be had occasion to be away from home in order to settle some pecuniary matters. He slept all the time at the Bricklayers' Arms in the t.road. Juror—He ought to have corresponded with the ill-fated woman, at all events.  Witness—He did, Sir; a letter was brought by a messenger from Mr. Baylie to his wife scarcely a moment after she had de. stroyed herself. Juror—Ay, but he cones too late, the deed was done. (Here the letter was in and read to the Jug by the coro. use t it was to the following erect t) 44 July 12, 1830. "My dearest D.—l am resolved not to come home till things awe settled : how can I, when you are always reflecting and re. surking upon my conducts but at all events be this as it may, do not fires moment think of coming to me ; but if you will send but one kind word back to me, promising not to reflect upon me any more, I will return home directly. " My beloved D. " To Mrs. Baylie, Ns. 3, Hill.street, Peckham." The witness said the moment he returned down stAits. after seeing the dead body, the messenger was at the door with the letter. The CORONES regretted the letter did not arrive • few moments 10011 t?, as, in all probability, its contents would have averted the object of the deceased. Mr. Brett, the surgeon, said he had examined the wound in the throat of th:unhappy woman, and found that the wind pipe wee completely divided as were also the prindpal veins and arteries on either side of the direst. Death must have ensued instantaneously. There being no further evidence, the coroner addressed the Jury, who returned a verdict " That the deemed lady had cut her throat in • fit of temporary mental derangement."  ~ W. 8.8."