Middlesbrough & Stockton Gazette and General Advertiser. — 1871-06-23 (Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, England)

DISTRESSING SUICIDE AT WHITBY.  Considerable excitement was occasioned in Whitby on Saturday by the report thst a young woman, named Eleanor Cooper, about twentyseven years of age, and who kept a school over Mrs Tuke's shop in Flowergate, had been fished up on the sands, drowned. Inquiry proved the renert to be true, and it further appeared that death had resulted from suicide of a determined and delibe. rate character. It seems that the deceased, who was of naturally retired habits, had latterly become more and more reserved, and it is stated she has not been out on a Sunday for about font yearn. She bad been very anxious and often much distressed about the Education Act, and the proposals for a School Board and Government inspection ; and a letter from the Rector six months ago, mak. ing certain inquiries and suggesting an interview, had much distressed her, and it was only alter a formal reply had been prepared for her by her brother-in-law that she became composed. Even upon this occasion she said if she had act had her brother-in-law to fly to she should have done something desperate. On Wednesday evening she visited her brother-in-law's house, and appeared to be then in extellent spirits; but on Thursday she received an official visit from one of the inspectors of elementary schools, and it appears from the fol. lowing letter, which she wrote on the evening preceding her death, and which was afterwards found in her room, that this visit, although made in all courtesy and civility, had revived a morbid horror she seems to hive entertained of G.ivernmental interference. The letter was addressed on the outside, " For my sister, Mrs Atkinson, Bridge. street," and was found on the piano in her schoolroom. It was written in pencil, and is as follows : My dear Sister,—When you receive this note I shall be dead; do not be shocked when! tell you that I have drowned myself. I had no thought el doing such a thing the last time I saw you, but on Thursday afternoon (yesterday) an agent from the Educational Department called to say that my school was not exactly an elementary or primary one, but verging on it. He was very courteous; but asked if I had any objection to the scholars going through a Govern. merit examination. The thought of such a thing made me quite nervous, and I said so. The gentleman left me with the understanding that it might have to be placed under Government inspection. I do not fool as if I had courage to go through such an ordeal, though my pupils might pus as creditably as others. In private schools they ought to leave It to the parents to judge of the children's progress. I have nclosed my will in this envelope. I had no idea that I had so many worldly goods to •dispose of, but am glad to be able to compensate you all for any trouble you may be put to on my account. Do not fret for we, as I shall be at rest when you read these lines. I could not endure another such a day as today has been. Will you or 13arnett be so kind as look the doors and take charge of the keys until it is convenient for you to look over closets and drawers. I should not like strangers to turn all upside down. Give my love to all. Oood-hye.