The Sun. — 1844-03-22 (London, England)

THE PHILOSOPHY OP HANGING.—At an inquest held before Mr. T. Wakley, M.P., a few days since, on the body ofa boy who had, it was supposed, unintentionally hung himself, a juror expressed his astonishment that as deceased's feet must have touched the ground he could not save himself. The coroner remarked that there was no accounting for tho frequent occurrence of such cases, and proceeded to detail the following remarkable instances which had come under his notice in his official capacity :—One was that of a man who was decidedly insane. He effected suicide by tearing a sheet into long strips, and having tied one of the strips to the side of the bed-post, he made a noose at the other end, which was so low that he had to lie down to put' his. head into it, and when discovered his nose was absolutely within very little more than an inch from the ground. Another instance was that ofa man on whom he (Mr. Wakley) had held an inquest at Hampstead. This man first of all tried to drown himself in a pond, but, finding lie could not do so, he got out, and sat for some time by the side of the pond, contemplating some other mode of suicide. He at length tied his pocket-handkerchief to the branches of two alder trees tightly, and then knelt down and laid his neck Across the handkerchief, and in that position he was found dead. A third case was that of a pauper in Isleworth workhouse, who sat down on the floor, and having tied a rope to a hook but two feet from the ground, he placed his neck in the noose, and by pressing forward succeeded in effecting his object. Another and most extraordinary case was that of a lady residing at Islington, who having exhibited a determination to destroy herself, was watched by attendants night and day. Notwithstanding these precautions, this lady, whilst in bed, and in the presence of persons who were watching her, actually succeeded' in strangling herself with her capstrings, and she had been dead some hours when her attendants supposed her to be asleep. Medical science had as yet been unable to develops accurately the causes which induced persons to take this means of committing suicide. The Chancellor of the Exchequer acknowledges the receipt of a 50/. note, No. 02,556, sent to him by a person unknown, for conscience' sake. This money has been placed in her Majesty's Exchequer. SHOCKING SUICIDE IN FINSBURY ClRCUS.—.YeSterday morning, between the hours of six and seven, the residents of No. 47, Finsbury Circus, were thrown into the, most painful excitement in consequence of a young singlefemale, of the name of Martha Sale, who resided with her friends at the above address, having committed self-destruction. It appears that for some time past the unfortunate crea— ture has been, from some unknown cause, in a very low and. desponding state, but it was never imagined that she would lay violent hands upon herself. However, upon one of the family going into her bedroom yesterday morning she was astonished at finding deceased suspended by the neck to the bedstead. An immediate alarm being raised other assistance came up stairs and cut down deceased. Mr. Townsend, surgeon, was instantly sent for, and that gentleman residing in the next house he was not long in reaching the place. The usual remedies to restore suspended animation were resorted to, but with no beneficial effect, the vital spark having for ever flown.  - • -- --