The Express. — 1850-12-17 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF MR. GEORGE SPENCE, Q.C., OF THE CHANCERY BAR.  Yesterday, Mr. Wakley and a jury sesemb'eatt tbs late residence of Mr. George Spence, Q C., 12, 11.),1e.park, /guars, for the purpose of inquiring iaw the circumsteacis attending hie death, which took place on Manley lat.  Henry Payne said he was a footman in the service of deceased. Witness was roused about a quarar past don the morning of the Tuesday previous by the lady's maid, who came to the door of his room, and said that ',mettles had happened to her muter. Witness went thuctly to Mt. Spence 's bedroom, at the door of whicii he was met by Mu. Spence, who desired him to go immediately for medical assistance. Witness went for Dr. Meckensn., and Mr. Squibb, the family medical atterdant. His muter bad suffered from spasms for • long time, and he hul not slept well lately. The deceased dept in a roue by himself, Mrs. Spence occupies en adjoining epatmeet. The lot month the deceased slept worse and worse—us constantly low spirited, and frequently said that he should get over his complaint. Witness bad never observed anything strange in his master's manner, except lumen of spirits. Mr. Spence was 63 years of age. Anne Lancaster, lady's maid, said—On Tuesday morning, shortly atter 2 o'clock, Mrs. Spence came into w.ene-ss's ram and told her that Mr. Spence had destroyed himself. Wit. nese went immediately to the decessed's room, anal taw net muter lying upon the bed, which was COVOtgd with 6,04 The deceased was sensible, and addressing with,', "Anne, my sufferings were greater than I could heat:' Medial assistance was sent tor directly, as dekrib: i by the footman. Witness had never seen her muter do anything which could induce her to think him of stunted mind. He had been very low spirited lately, sad he had complained more than he was accustomed to do of tend pain and palpitation of the heart. The deceased bed knocked against the wall, which was his usual signal when he wanted Mrs. Spence. Dr. F. W. Mackenzie said, shortly after two o'clock aa Tuesday morning he found the unfortunate gentleman ta state of collapse, with wounds of an incised character ss both sides of the neck, on the thigh, and on both errata The chief hemorrhage was from tn.. wounds in the neck. The deceased was rational and collected when witness saw him. He said he had been in a very ilespfiline state previously, and bad inflicted the wounds up en himself while in a fit of despondency. lie added 'hat it wan useless to adopt any means to save him, i:s he telt his :de could not be preserved. Witness did all that was neer& ury, and remained with the deceased until Mr. Squibb urived. Mr. George James Squibb said he saw the deceased between three and four on Tuesdsy morning. lie was then Aft a state of extreme depression arising from tetras's" bunorrhase. On geeing witness the deceased said, " Y-01 IMO what a dreadful thing I have done. lam pleased I hove keen punished in this world, and I hope I shall escape hereafter.' The deceased never rallied, and died on Thursday from exhaustion and loss of blood. Witness saw the decta,ed on the Monday, and he then appeared mere calm than usual. He had long been labouring under the delusim that had a disease of the bladder. He had none whatever • be had Me symptoms of such a disease. The deceased 'had told witness that his father had died of such • malady, and he I believed such would be his own fate. Thii delusion had produced great despondency of mind, a feeling which te Heald not surmount. The Coroner, after adverting to the delusion node which the deceased bed been labouring for a long time post, and also to his own statement when first seen, titer twins initiated the wounds, that the act had been done m a tit of despondency, said be thought the jury would have no dill culty incoming to the conclusion that the deceased had destroyed himself at • moment when he was not accountake for his actions. The Jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict to the following effect That the death of the said Worse Spence was caused by exhaustion, arising from Ices of b. 0041 from wounds inflicted by himself, while in an unclad state  of mind." The deceased gentleman wee very much respated at the her and in hi private circle. lie has left one son and one