The Sun. — 1851-07-01 (London, England)

ROMANTIC SUICIDE OF A SOLDIER.  The Code C.Astitution gives the following romantic account of the suicide of a soldier in that city, in the frenzy of love:— " Some weeks since a private of the 40th Regiment, named Alfred Winstanley, an Englishman, about twentyeight years of age, who had been in the service abcut ten years, became acquainted with a young woman named Mary Low, the daughter of a military pensioner. His propaaal. of marriage was accepted, with the proviso that he got leave to marry from his commanding officer. This he was reluctant to ask, for some cause which remains unexplained, and her parents, considering it imprudent to sanction the marriage of their daughter under any other circumstances, determined to conclude the intimacy between her and Winstanley by sending her on a visit to an uncle in London. On Wednesday ho got leave to remain cut of barracks until eleven o'clock, and visited Low's house, where he remained until half-past ten. During this time he learned that Mary was to leave Cork the next morning at seven o'clock by the Ajax steamer, for London. He returned to barracks wit'ain his leave, and, after reporting himself, scaled the walls and escaped, and again returned to Low's, and entreated to be admitted, but was refused, though he threatened, if not, to throw himself into the river. Early the next morning he again endeavoured to gain adraittat co into Low's, but was refused, and eventually left, declaring he would destroy himself. Ho then went into an adjacent house, and borrowed a breakfast cup. From this he proceeded to the oil and colour shop of Mr. Dennis Connor, in the North Main-street, where he asked for half-a-pint of oil of vitriol, for, as he said, removing stains from his crossbelts. Having got the vitriol in the cup, he hurried along Kyrl's-quay. .to Levitt's-quay, where he met Mary Low with her mother and sisters, on her way to the steam-ship. In a frieeaied manner, ho asked her if she would deceive him—if she was about to leave him who was so fond of her?' She moved on, and ho followed, and holding up ;the cup said, ' Mary, you know I love you, and if you don't stop and marry me, this will end my existence. You know I can't live without you, and this must put me out of pain.' Her mother then pushed her from him, when ho immediately drank the vitriol, threw the cup into the river, and leaped several feet from the ground, screaming frightfully. At this moment a private soldier of the 84th Regiment came up, when Winstanley, pointing after Mary Low, said, 'There—there she is ; she's the cause of it—it is she's to blame." Actingcons table Edwards then came up and removed the unfortunate man to the North Infirmary, where he was at once attended by Dr. Popham and Surgeon Gordon, who administered carbonate of magnesia, and the usual antidotes, but the corrosive effects of the poison were so immediate as to render all efforts unavailing. Dr. Haverty, the surgeon of the 40th, subsequently saw him, and continued with Dr. Popham to attend him until his death, which took place at swo o'clock yesterday morning, after indescribable suffering, which he born with patience. During Thursday, although writhing with pain, he asked ever) body who entered the ward in which he lay, 'ls she coming? for if I get but one glimpse of her it will remove all my pain, and I shall die easy.' Deceased had a medal and star for several engagements in India, where he had served with credit.