The Express. — 1852-12-14 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF A MERCHANT.  Yesterday afternoon Mr. Payne held an inquest, at 32, Budge-row, on the hodi of Mr. William Lewis Moinier Laschellss, wholesale stationer, of Budge-row, and Charthara, is Seat. Edward tii,sing, warehouseman to the deceased, deposed that that morning, about a qu to eight o'clock, he was in bed asleep, and was awoke by one of female servants, who told him that she could not find Mr. Laschellas. Hear, ing that he had not made his appearance at breakfast, wit. new proceeded to search the premises, and eventually be found him sitting between two piles of paper in one of the werehowee. His mouth was open, and his feet were stretched across the pathway, which induced his to think that he was only asleep. lie at once lifted him, when ho found blood streaming from his bead. Having obtained assistance, he sent for a surgeon, who on arriving pronounced life ettinct. _  In answer to questions from the coroner, witness said that he heard the deceased get up about six o'clock, before it was daylight, but it was no unusual circumstance. Witness went to sleep again, and ho heard no more of him afterwards. Hs did not see him on the previous night, but he did on Saturday evening at sevcu o'clock. He then appeared much better in spirits than he had been for some time before. By a Juror—Deceased had been for at least a year in a very desponding state, which arose from his thinking that he had lost all his prorerty. He expostulated with him, and endeavourtd to show the mistake he had made, but deceased would only answer that he was sure it was a fact, and ho could swear to it. He also asked him if he had not en..ugh on his mind to snake hint c onmit suicide. Witness then inquired of him what be had to hope for if he destroyed his life, when he said that at least it would be • grant change. On the bth of last March he attempted to commit suicide in • similar manner. Ho was sane on every point except on money matters. On the previous occasion he begged bard that his brother might not be informed of the circumstance.  By the Coroner—Ha had been with the deceased 12 years, and he had no hesitation in saying that Inc laboured under a delusion in supposing that his affairs were dia. arrangcd. His chamber was separated (corn de.eaced's by only a thin partition, which allowed him to hear when he got up. He never saw the pistol before. He found, on searching the body, that it was in his right hand. Another was also found, which was loaded with a very email charge of powder and ball. The pristol he axed on the previous occasion he procured at the time the Chartist riots were appr!l..enile.d.  Mr. John laschellas said that the deeeased was his brother. He was about 57 yeah of age. Ile thought he had been enffering mentally for more than 12 months. The disorder commenced some time after a mil:, that formed a principal part of his business, being destroyed by tire, and he had an erroneous impression that he was in consequence going to ruin. lie dined at his house yesterday, but tried to ovoid any other company. By the Coroner—My impression is that h:s mind was decidedly wrong. I was never informed of what took place in Marco last until some considerable time aft, rwarde. lie told me himself of it, and extracted a promise from me that I would never mention it to any other person. My candid opinion is that the business was too great fur him to carry on. The persons who took stock can prove that his affairs were not in the least di iced, but ho said the figures were conjured up to deceive him. Mr. William Sodgwiek Saunders, surgeon, of 13, Queen. street, said that he was sent for that morning to see the deCre,ell. and on his srriv.il found a contused wound on the right temple, and a considerable discherve of blood from the wound. From the appearance of the wound, he had no d,,uld but it had been caused from a bullet. •the muzzle of the pistol must have been place.d very is ar the Ain. The core .er mimed up, and the jury r, turned a verdict of "Temporary insanity."  THE LAVE EARL OF SIIREWSBERY's