The Express. — 1856-03-08 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF AN OFFICER.  An act of determined eelf-dostruction was committed at ea early boar yesterday rooming by Mr. Howard Douglas Aytoon ensign in the 16th Regiment, end godson of Sir Reward Douglas, colonel of the regiment. Tao fatal ad was accomplished with a razor, in hie bedroom, in the Royal Barracks. It would appear that he bad been a man of inexpositive and abstemious hsbits, and of a retiring disposition. H. was twenty-six year of age, though be looked at least thirty-three, and had formerly bilged to the FifeMire Militia, from which, about two laaatba since, he was appointed to tile 16th. Pecniatary embarrassment seems to have weighed au ids mind, and it is said that the prospect of pew" which would isms his bops of advasiosumat in a profudow with bo *wed her later in life than usual, had also a depromilsg Islam is his. Prams" to joining the Pb.ol Militia Ica bed been to the Australia& gold diggings, sad was beard to say that he /Unread buss • poorer mac than west. That the dreadful act by which ha terminated his ezistasa was premeditated there ean be little doubt from the following memorandum, whisk was toned is his bed; it was evidantly written hast4y, Is large, nocoameetad, sad straggling letters. on tit. hack of a tare oa saheb was printed an almanac for Vie present year sad an Interest and oieccuat table. The memorandum was as I gave my watth to Gasket, to &some of for IW. There are 71. is my desk." The desk alluded to was found to contain el. 2a. tkt, and a number of letter.  J. B. Hvadwas, Bp , one of the eity c macre, held aa levitates the body at two o'clock. The fullowing evidence was elves :  Ha) or Cole, 16th Regiment, said—The &messed joined the regiment about two months ago, from the Fitt/shim Militia. He kept very much aloof lion his brother officers. It seemed from his demeranmer as It seneething weighed on his mind. I never saw bin drink wise or spirits if sew deeeziptlon at the mese. He did cot even take beer. When I saw him lest, about two days ago, there wee nothing striking or pesticide, in his manner. In tomequeues of emieg the card band on his bet (obeys copied), I sant to Messrs. Cane, of Dawson•street, to inquire how his &octant steed. I received front them the letter tow produced, dated 4th Meech, written by deceased. The letter asks for ao advseee of 91 the end of the month, to be remitted to a writer in Omar Fife, Scotland. A toitioript of the litter sake whetter an order meld be cubed in 8c island without heavy deductions, bat directs that no movement should be made in the matter till he was heard from &gale. I understand that Mr. Cane 'being oat, he did not get the cash. His regimental debts only amount to 41. 19e. 61., which atomid have been ptid by the 10th of this month. I saw a letter this marcher from the payee's's, of the Pitiable* regiment, requiring mascot of a small balsam. The answer of the deceased. which is sot sent, demurs to the debt. From the first day I saw him I formed the idea that be hen something heavily weighing on his mind. It wee generally remarked by the other officers. He teems M have been quartered at Caper, which may somunt for his having some seta Idebts there.  Thomism Dies Esq., sargeoa, 16th Begimect, tensed has been on the sick list since the 4th Umlaut. His csmplaiot was vary trilling, and be was not confined to bed. I saw him yesterday, and prescribed for him. I observed nothing eassital in his manner. He genern'ly seemed in very low spirits, ma if something disturbed his mind. At half-past 9 o'clock this morning a private of the regiment rev nod that deemed had cat ins terms.. I immediately west to his qoarten, and found him Ding on the Bo sr in a owner of the room, gaits dead. I have no n to sAy that he was labouring ander temporary derangement. H• had evideatly died from Ices of blood. t cannot lay whether the wound was inflicted by demised.  Richard Boyle depcsed as lollows—l was t to dammed for • month and tour days past. I saw deceased alive lest at a cumber to ten o'clock last sight. ,He called me to bring Ma some Carley-water. I brought lit to him, and he said "That will do for to-right." He I was drined them. I saw him in the lobby, bat was not In the room. He west in sad shut the door. I had men him severs' times duriag the day. He was writing letters a great part of the day. Ha gate me two to post at half-pest me o'clock. I do Lot recollect who they were addressed to. I left • letter, from him, at Keens. ems's, in Dewsoo-strest, os Tuesday, and brought back a answer whisk I delivered to him. I did not observe anything ;mealier, In his meaner ysaterday or last night, when I lest saw him. I wait to his room at hang mat sewn o'clock this morning, as usual. I found the door locked. I knocked, but got no answer ; being on the sick list, I thought be was asleep. I reported the fact to • servant-mw named Hants, at sin. o'clock ; he came down with me, and we forced open the dom. 'seeing knocked again and got no answer. We found decessed ly.eg as toe floor, in his night-'rees, dead. I heard him speak of mosey matt rt. I know of his owing acme small debts. I have no reason to thick he was deranged.  Staplers George Porter described the wounds. lii.tber would cause his death, though, if promptly assisted, they night act hare bees fatal. _ _ _ . _  TM jury found that " Tbo doemorl died (row low of blood, whisk Sowed from two wounds inflicted ou his throat by his, elf, law 'debt or thle worsieg. wbil.labounog sada Weaponry derangewoot of mind."  Tax LUNATIC POOR IN Sr.