The Sun. — 1829-04-27 (London, England)

MOST AFFLICTING SUICIDE.  On Saturday evening an inquest was held at the Southwark Arms, Tooley-street, on the body of William Judd, aged 60, a respectable tradesman, who destroyed himself under the following melancholy circumstances : John Judd, a respectable-looking young man, son of the deceased (who, during his examination, was deeply affected), deposed that he lived with his late unhappy father in Magdalen-street, Horsley-down ; for several months past he had been in a low dejected state of mind; a few years since he carried on extensive business in the copper-plate printing line, employing a number of men, and realizing between 3001. and 4001. a year; about three years back he was unfortunately persuaded to give up his concern by the members of a firm carrying on the business of copper-plate printers, who agreed to engage him ever after at a salary of two guineas and a half per week ; having sold his presses and other articles necessary in the trade, he entered into the service of these gentlemen. After the lapse of a short time his employers told him that in conse— quence of their business becoming much reduced they had no further occasion for his services, but, as they did not wish him to be without employment, offered him the paltry consideration of a pound a week, if he chose to stay with them. His unfortunate father, having a large family to support, was compelled to accede to their hard terms, although he felr severely such ungenerous treatment ; and from that period, his spirits became depressed, and his employers shortly after discarded him altogether. The shock occasioned to his poor father by such unmerited conduct deeply affected him, and he became quite an altered man ; for several months past he had suffered severe pecuniary embarrassment, which increased his unhappiness. On Friday morning last he got up unusually depressed ; after breakfast he was missed, and search being made, witness discovered him suspended by a piece of rope to one of the rails of his bedstead, and life was quite extinct. In the room witness discovered a letter, which he knew to be his father's handwriting; the letter in question was read by tha Coroner, and was as follows :  " This is to let all my friends know that about three years back, at the instigation of Messrs. -, of I gave up my business, and sold all my presses, on condition they were to engage me permanently at the 'salary of two guineas and a half a week; that, notwithstanding, they subsequently reduced my salary to the pittance of one pound per week, and ultimately discharged me from their service altogether. Such conduct I always considered most ungenerous, and it has ever preyed heavily upon my mind. I had a good business and should have done well; I sold all my presses at a grievous loss. I had worked for - twenty years before I went into business for myself, therefore I feel his conduct the more; it has been the ruin of myielf and family, and I shall never get over it." Another of the deceased's sons stated that he saw his poor father write the letter about six months back; but he (witness) did not know at the time the nature of it; he (deceased) had kept it about his person ever since.  The Jury, after commenting on the aMicting nature of the case, returned a verdict of" Insanity."  --- - -