The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1825-01-21 (London, England)

ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.  A few days ago a young gentleman of the name of Edward W. attempted to put a period to his existence under the following affecting circumstances : oic It appeared that Mr. W. had for a considerable p • . paid his addresses to a young lady, the only daughter of a m spectable tradesman at the west end of the town. although agar ssikhe consent oldie parents. 'At length it came to the ears of 31 r. WV. that another gentleman was selected by the parents as the future husband of the object of his attachment, in support of which rumour he received a letter from the young lady, stating in the most affectionate terms her parents' selection, and strongly urging him, as their union could never take pate,. to banish her trout his thoughts, as aim was determined neem to marry against the inclination of her parents. ljpoh tectipt of this let. ter, Mr. W. lost no time in gainifig an int with the fair object, when, with the most persuasive I her to become his in defiance of her parents' mandate, • bout her, happiness would ever be a stranger to him. Theirs) having listened with the greatest agitation of feeling, oh that notwithstanding he possessed her bean, she could not act with such ingratitude, as she was convinced mach a line of conduct would embitter her remaining years, and she therefore conjured him to forget her. Mr. W. itntnediately left the room, vowing be would never live a life of wretchedness, and leaving the young lady in the greatest apprehension for his safety. He proceeded told, lodgings in the New.road, having previously provided himself with a powder. which he mixed with water, and swallowed: this was no sooner done than the unhappy youth was seined with violent consul. miens, and the most racking torture of the intestines. The landlady suspecting the truth, from the wildness of his appearance on entering the house, she immediately sent for medical assistance, which soon arrived, and on examining the remnant in the glass. it unfound that the unhappy sufferer had taken poison. The surgeon directly administered various antidotes, fur a considerable time without effect, and little hopes were entertained foe his life; however, by the most powerful emetics the drugs were dialodgml. Restoratives were then introduced, Ina from the debility produced by the rapid action of the poison, a complete recovery is extremely doubtful. Ur. W. is constantly attended by the object of his affection. and it is presumed should he recover, that this unfortunate catastrophe may be the cause of a reconciliation, and that by the parents' consent to a union, happiness may yet be the portion of the young couple. as it is proved, on inquiry, that Mr. W. is of the greatest respectability.  Cc:outwit. Etraox.—On the 17th inst., an Inquest was held on the body of Colonel Ensor. Ile was found dead in his bed, at his lodgings, in Kingstown. He has been observed lately of a melancholy turn of mind, and was of apoplectic make and constitution.—Dublin raper. There is now living at Winslow, Buckinghamshire, • man whose name is %Villiant Ovitts. He was the second person who enlisted into Elliott's regiment of light dragoons, raised in the year 1758, and is now, and has been for some considerable time, the only survivor of that regiment, as originally formed. This man is known to have been an excellent and brave soldier while be served in that regiment, from which he received his discharge about 30 years since. In the battle of Freyburgh, which took place near the conclusion of the seven years' war, when the then Hereditary Prince of Brunswick was attempted to be carried off' the field a prisoner, by two French dragoons and a foot soldier, Ovitts, single-handed, galloped after them, killed the three French soldiers and rescued the Prince. In this gallant exploit he was badly wounded ; the Prince took him to his quarters, had hint carefully attended until his wounds were healed, gave him a purse of a hundred guineas, and recommended him for promotion ; the latter he modestly declined, on account of his education and habits being such as were not suited to any rank above that of a private soldier. This man, now above ninety years of age, with those infirmities and wants which are usually attendant upon so advanced a period of life, is obliged to take refuge in, and submit to the privutions of, a parish workhouse.