The Sun. — 1848-12-25 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF -A --LADY BY BLOW ING OUT HER BRAINS. On Friday evening last an inquest was held upon the body of Mrs. Twynam, the wife of Dr. Twynam, of Knowlr Hill, near Bishopstoke. The unfortunate lady, who had been for some time in a state of mental depression, destroyed herself by discharging the contents of a gun through her head on Friday morning. The jury, having been sworn, proceeded to view the body, which presented a most dreadful appearance, one-half of the head being literally blown off, and the features scarcely recognisable even by those who knew her well. A more appalling sight has been rarely witnessed. _ _ _  Sarah Barber, housemaid in the family of the deceased, said her age was about 62. She has been in a bad state of .health lately, but she had kept about. She generally seemed in pretty good spirits. Saw no change in her this morning. Nothing had occurred to annoy her that she knew of. Saw her after she got up, about half-past seven o'clock. She breakfasted with Dr. Twynam ; after breakfast she went for a walk, and witness went with her. Upon their return deceased told her to send the cook fur orders for dinner. She then desired witness to go up and dust the drawingroom. She was gone about two minutes. On coming down stairs she met the cook, and went into the room, which smelt of gunpowder, and there was a good deal of smoke in it. Witness was much alarmed, and ran to call Mrs. Year, who came down directly, and upon seeing the appearance presented by the deceased Mrs. Year covered her head over with an apron. They had been obliged to keep knives out of her way for some time. About a month ago she cut her left arm with a table knife, but it was not known whether by accident or not. Deceased had once tried to take poison, - but had been prevented. Sometimes she seemed lost when talking upon any subject. Witness was ordered by Dr. Twynam to attend her when walking. She could not get along without assistance. This evidence was confirmed ley Mrs. Vear, by the cook, and by a carpenter at work upon the premises, who was called in. Mrs. Tear said the deceased had once asked her to get something that would, carry her off quickly. - • Mr. Goldstone, surgeon, deposed that he saw the body of the deceased-lying back in the easy chair, the head reclining to the right side. The left side was very much shattered. The face had dark marks, like that of gunpowder. A portion of the lower jaw was driven through. The charge appeared to have gone through the mouth; thi left aide of the head and a large portion of the .contents were carried away. The poker was close to the right hand. The gun was lying between her knees, with the stock on the ground, and the barrels pointed towards the head. It appeared to him that deceased discharged the gun by touching the trigger with the poker. It must have caused instant death.  Mr. Wilson said that Mrs. Twynam was afflicted with a disease of the brain, which subjected her to aberration of the mind. She was incoherent in her manner, sometimes more, sometimes less. It affected her whole nervous system. She had not entire control over herself. The jury returned a verdict .of " Temporary insanity."  Tan