npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1844-06-20 (London, England)

MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS.—The total number of deaths during the week ending June 15, was 855—average for the last five years, 946. In the first class of diseases, called zvmotic, which includes small-pox, measles, scarlatina, &c., there is a considerable increase, the number being 194, while the average is 178. In nearly all the other cases there is a decrease. Deaths from small-pox are unusually great, the average being 15, while last week they amounted to 47, and of these 46 had not been vaccinated. Among the unvaccinated are reckoned a female, aged 11 months, who was " vaccinated only 10 days before death ;" a female, aged 3 years, who had been " vaccinated 3 times without effect;" and a male, aged 6 years, who had been " vaccinated with doubtful success." Among the vaccinated are included a male aged 25 years, who " had been vaccinated young —one indifferent cicatrix ;" and a female, aged 23 years, who had been " vaccinated when 6 years old— one small cicatrix scarcely perceptible." The deaths from this disease, occurred at the following ages : Eleven under 1 year; seventeen, 1-3; three, 3-5 ; seven, 5-10 ; one, 13 ; five, 20-30 ; and three, 30-40 years. Deaths from consumption,' 136—average 147. The fallowing is an analysis of the violent deaths : Fracture or contusion by falls, 4 cases ; drowning, 7 cases, of which 4 were accidents, 1 suicide, and 2  manslaughter; hanging, 3 cases (suicides) ; suffocation in bed, 1 case ; and at birth, 1 case. In the remaining cases, respectively, "injury," "manslaughter," " murder," the means by which death was caused are not stated—total, 19 cases. The thermometer was highest on Thursday, the 13th-83.1 ; and lowest on Tuesday, the 11th, 47.5 degrees. The total amount of rain for the week is marked at the unusally low degree of 00"2.
The Sun. — 1844-01-13 (London, England)

CHARACTER OF HANNIBAL.-If the characters of men be estimated according to the steadiness with which they have followed the true principle of action, we cannot assign a high place to Hannibal. But if patriotism were indeed the greatest of virtues, and a resolute devotion to the interests of his country were all the duty that a public man can be expected to fulfil, he would then deserve the most lavish praise. Nothing can be more unjust than the ridicule with which Juvenal has treated his motives, as if ha had been actuated merely by romantic desire of glory. On the contrary his whole conduct displays the loftiest genius, and the boldest spirit of enterprise, happily subdued, and directed by a cool judgment, to the furtherance of the honour and interests of his country ;' and his sacrifice of selfish pride and passion, when after the battle of Zama he urged the acceptance of peace, and lived to support the disgrace of Carthage with the patient hope of one day repairing it, aflords a strong contrast to the cowardly despair with which some of the best of the Romans deprived their country of their services by suicide. Of the extent of his abilities, the history of his life is the best evidence : as a general, his conduct remains uncharged with a single error. His knowledge of human nature, and his ascendancy over men's minds, are shown by the uninterrupted authority which he exercised alike in his prosperity and adversity over an army composed of so many various and discordant materials, and which had no other bond than the personal character of their leader. As a statesman, he was at once manly, disinterested, and sensible ; a real reformer of abuses in his domestic policy, and in his measures, with respect to foreign enemies, keeping the just limit between weakness and blind obstinacy. He stands reproached, however, with covetousness by the Carthaginians, and with cruelty by the Romans. The first charge is sustained by no facts that have been transmitted to us ; and it is a curious circumstance, that the very same vice was long imputed by party violence to the great Duke of Marlborough, and that the imputation has been lately proved by his biographer to have been utterly calumnious. Of cruelty, according to modern principles, he cannot be acquitted.—Arnold's Rome, Vol. 111.
The Sun. — 1844-01-13 (London, England)

CHARACTER OF HANNIBAL.—If the characters of men be estimated according to the steadiness with which they have followed the true principle of action, we cannot assign a high place to Hannibal. But if patriotism were indeed the greatest of virtues, and a resolute devotion 'o the interests of his country were all the duty that a public man can b's expected to fulfil, he would then deserve the most lavish praise. Nothing can be more unjust than the ridicule with which Juvenal has treated his motives, as if he had been actuated merely by romantic desire of glory. On the contrary his whole conduct displays the loftiest genius, and the boldest spirit of enterprise, happily subdued, and directed by a cool judgment, to the furtherance of the honour and interests of his country ; and his sacrifice of selfish pride and passion, when after the battle of Zama he urged the acceptance of peace, and lived to support the disgrace of Carthage with the patient hope of one day repairing it, affords a strong contrast to the cowardly despair with which some of the best of the Romans deprived their country of their services by suicide. Of the extent of his abilities, the history of his life is the best evidence : as a general, his conduct remains uncharged with a single error. His knowledge of human nature, and his ascendancy over men's minds, are shown by the uninterrupted authority which he exercised alike in his prosperity and adversity over an army composed of so many various and discordant materials, and which had no other bond than the personal character of their leader. As a statesman, he was at once manly, disinterested, and sensible ; a real reformer of abuses in his domestic policy, and in his measures, with respect to foreign enemies, keeping the just limit between weakness and blind obstinacy. He stands reproached, however, with covetousness by the Carthaginians, and with cruelty by the Romans. The first charge is sustained by no fasts that have been transmitted to us ; and it is a curious circumstance, that the very same vice was long imputed by party violence to the great Duke of Marlborough, and that the imputation has been lately proved by his biographer to have been utterly calumnious. Of cruelty, according to modern principles, be cannot be acquitted.—Arnold's Rome, Vol. 111.
The Sun. — 1844-01-13 (London, England)

CORONER. addressed e jury on the evidence, and said that, under all the circumst an ens, there could scarcely be a doubt that the unfortunate fe male was the person who had inflicted the wounds. They 'could not consider whether she was in a sound state of mir id. at the time or not. Her own declaration or confession was made entirely voluntarily. lie did not wish to call upon heir husband to give evidence on which his wife would be co:it, icted. But no less than eight witnesses had spoken to adios issions made at different times by her, that she was the mil y party who had committed the offence.  A Juror said that, if the w of nan died, he should have come to a conclusion that she had cc .mmitted suicide when in a state of temporary insanity. Und es such circumstances he could not conscientiously return a verd' tof wilful murder. The CORONER said there seas no evidence to show any aberration of intellect, but the contrary. The jury, therefore, could not give way to mere feelings of humanity. His duty was quite as painful as theirs, .and he only propounded the law to them.  Mr. White, a juryman, sai sI that, much as he respected the Coroner's opinion, he would no t, when he was on the jury, return a verdict contrary to his co ❑science. Shortly after ten o'clock al is jury requested the room to be cleared, and about half- p Ast eleven the Court was reopened, and The CORONER announced that the jury had returned a verdict of Wilful Murder agai nt t Sarah Dickenson. The Foreman—At the sam .e time we say that she committed the offence whilst in a state of great mental anxiety, brought on by extreme distress. The Rev. Messrs. Ffinch a n d Sketchley, the Rectors of St. Paul and St. Nicholas, Dept fa rd, have most assiduously attended the unfortunate wom; to , and Mr. Flinch remained with her until after the inquiry te. !ri linated. It was announced las night that such a change had t lion place as to preclude ever prospect of her recovery.
The Sun. — 1844-01-13 (London, England)

CHARACTER OF HANNIBAL.—If the characters of men be estimated according to the steadiness with which they have followed the true principle of action, we cannot assign a high place to Hannibal. But if patriotism were indeed the greatest of virtues, and a resolute devotion to the interests of his country were all the duty that a public man can be expected to fulfil, he would then deserve the most lavish praise. Nothing can be more unjust than the ridicule with which Juvenal has treated his motives, as if he had been actuated merely by romantic desire of glory. On the contrary his whole conduct displays the loftiest genius, and the boldest spirit of enterprise, happily subdued, and directed by a cool judgment, to the furtherance of the honour and interests of his country ; and his sacrifice of selfish pride and passion, when after the battle of Zama he urged the acceptance of peace, and lived to support the disgrace of Carthage with the patient hope of one day repairing it, affords a strong contrast to the cowardly despair with which some of the best of the Romans deprived their country of their services by suicide. Of the extent of his abilities, the history of his life is the best evidence : as a general, his conduct remains uncharged with a single error. His knowledge of human nature, and his ascendancy over men's minds, are shown by the uninterrupted authority which he exercised alike in his prosperity and adversity over an army composed of so many various and discordant materials, and which had no other bond than the personal character of their leader. As a statesman, he was at once manly, disinterested, and sensible ; a real reformer of abuses in his domestic policy, and in his measures, with respect to foreign enemies, keeping the just limit between weakness and blind obst;nacy. He stands reproached, however, with covetousness by the Carthaginians, and. with cruelty by the Romans. The first charge is sustained by no facts that have been transmitted to us ; and it is a curious circumstance, that the very same vice was long and by party violence to the great Duke of Marlborough, that theimputetiatt has been lately proved by his biographer tklia/e-been .utterly calumnious. Of cruelty, according cdniOdein principles, be cannot be acquitted.—Arnold's Rome, , Vol. 111.
The Sun. — 1844-08-29 (London, England)

NEW CARRIAGE OF GENERAL TOM THUMB.—The equipage of General Tom Thumb is unequalled in point of magnificence. It is the chariot style, and is made to correspond in size with the General. The body of the chariot is but twenty inches in height, and eleven inches in width. The arms are Britannia and Liberty, supported by the British lion and American eagle, surmounted by the rising sun, with the British and American flags crossed. The motto, " Go-ahead." The carriage is by Mr. S. Beaton,.l6, Denmark-street, Soho. The harness, which is heavily mounted, and of the most perfect finish, was manufactured by Mr. Filling; ham, 278, Whitechapel, and 78, Fenchurch-street. The ponies are only twenty-eight inches in height, and were purchased from Mr. Batty, of Astley's Royal A theatre. The coachman and footman, two ladsi are dressed in livery, appropriate to such magnificenta tßuirrnmi - onugt h. a n3T,h on n Mondayequipage willaa next, e sentcan no bt he e seen General on s aa.t turday evening next, Aug. 31, at and Amphitheatre, in the course of the performances.eY's Royal pollicleYshTaEveßlfinucse DSulnsAdaryrElaAstßbAeNecnsmOoFst AsetLivAerylrengaTghe engaged avouarirnegoftothdeishciogvhearatthreearpeetcretaabtioliftya, ladyaad wrehs(i)dsee in connexionsende in the neighbourhood is Mary are.Theagl lady had, ad yin, question, who Jackson, it appears, been for some time in a low, desponding state of mind, and at the recommendation of Dr. Sutherland,' she was, a short time since, placed under the care of Mr. South, No. 1, Alpha-road, Regent's-park. On the, morning of Sunday last, about a quarter past ten o'clock ,she was suddenly missed from the house, and all inquiry .as to whero she was gone has, up to the present time, been fruitless, beyond the fact, which has been ascertained, that immediately on leaving the house she took the cab No. 1,000, in the Alpha-road, in which she was driven to the terminus of the Dover Railway, where she changed a Si. Bank of England note. She then, it is believed, drove away again in the same cab, but in e hat direction is not known. Great fears are, it is understood, entertained by her relatives that she will commit suicide.
The Sun. — 1844-08-29 (London, England)

YOUTH SHOT AT BATTERSEA-FIELDS.---On Saturday last, as a youth, named Daniel Evans, in the employ of Mr. Wetness, a distiller, was driving a horse and cart in the road near Battersea-fields, he suddenly received in his left cheek and jaw the contents (shot) of a fowling-piece, discharged by a man who stood in the adjacent field, about twenty yards off. The youth was conveyed to Westminster Hospital, where Mr. Bowman, the house surgeon, succeeded in extracting the shot, and he is going on as favourably as can be expected. The lad states that he believes the individual to have aimed at a stray pigeon which had escaped from the pigeonshooting arena belonging to the Bed House Tavern ; and as soon as he perceived the mischief he had done, he effected his escape through the arches of the Southampton railway, which he was only a few yards from. A description of him has been forwarded to the police. DETEEMINED SUICIDE OF A FEDlALE.—Yesterday Wakley, m.p., held an inquest at the Yorkshire Grey, Cheyne-walk, Chelsea, on the body of Louisa Stonor, aged 22, an unmarried woman. From the evidence of the witnesses examined, it appeared that on Sunday night last deceased was standing with her illegitimate child in her arms, near the river side, and was talking cheerfully with several of her acquaintances, amongst them being the reputed father of the child. She parted with them at twelve o'clock, bade them geod night, and said she was going home, but in a few minutes she asked a boy to hold her baby, whilst she went on. The boy did as he was requested, and while holding the child he heard her-raise a loud laugh, and then saw her rush to the extremity of the pier, and plunge into the water. A man in the barge saw her sink, and with assistance endeavoured to save her. Owing, however, to the darkness of the night, she was not seen to rise, and her body was not found until the next morning. None of the witnesses could give any reason for the deceased's suicide, as she was always of a cheerful disposition, did not suffer want, and had never shown signs of insanity. The Coroner, in summing up, asked the jury whether they could say, from the evidence they had heard, that the deceased had destroyed herself whilst in a state of insanity. The jury were of opinion that the evidence was not satisfactory upon that point, and returned a verdict that the deceased destroyed herself, but in what state of mind there was no evidence to show.
The Sun. — 1844-08-29 (London, England)

SOUTHAMPTON THEATRE.  - - SATURDAY, AUG. 24.—The play-goers have this week had a great treat in the engagement of Mr. Webster, lessee of the Haymarket, and Madlle. Celeste, for four nights. The engageMent commenced on Monday last, when the pieces forming the bill of fare, were St. Mary's Eve, a domestic drama, of an interesting plot, and a wellwritten dialogue ; the Woman Hater ; and the Trumpeter's Daughter. In the first piece Mademoiselle Celeste performed the part of Madeline, a French girl. Her pretty foreign accent suited the character well, and her acting in the more serious portions of the piece was no less feeling and impassioned than it was piquant and agreeable in the lighter and comic situations. The effect on the audience fully bears out this remark, for we observed the sympathy of many of the fair sex excited even to tears. It was a beautiful and touching performance. The Woman Hater followed, in which both Celeste and Webster appeared.' --This is a very slight interlude with nothing but the good acting of the two "stars" to make it attractive. The pith of it consisted merely in the reformation of the Woman Hater's misanthropic tendency by the irresistible effect of the charms of Madlle. Celeste, as Leila.—The Trumpeter's Daughter is a lively and amusing farce from the pen of that prolific author, Mr. Coyne, written to introduce the Polka, which was danced by Mr. Webster and Celeste in a very graceful style. This was Lewdly and unanimously encored. The house was crowded. ' On Wednesday night the pieces were Victor and Hortense, the Trumpeter's Daughter, and St. Mary's Eve. The plot of the first piece was interesting and gave full scope for the abilities of both Madlle. Celeste and Mr. Webster, who played the two principal characters. On Thursday the first piece was a lively and well got up farce, which was very popular at the Haymarket two or three seasons back—The Pretty Girls of Stilberg. A number of Cadets, headed by Ernest (Mr. Webster), who in the part gives an extraordinary personation of the Emperor Napoleon, play a trick upon the village girls, of whom Margot (Madlle. Celeste) is the chief. They discover the plot and revenge themselves by adopting the uniform of Prussian troops and surprising the Cadets, in a slumber into which they fall after a riotous jollification, and make them prisoners. This scene was excellently got up. The dresses, arms, and accoutrements of the fair campaigners were complete, and they were put through their exercise by Mademoiselle Celeste in a very clever manner. This was loudly and deservedly applauded. Mr. Webster looked the fac-simile of Napoleon, and his personation of the Great Captain excited the greatest admiration. Last night Mr. Webster and Madlle. Celeste made their last appearance, and took their benefit, when the house was well filled. The pieces were Maria Ducange, The Pretty Girls of Stilberg, and the Trumpeter's Daughter. This engagement has given great satisfaction. Thep opened arTtyde Isle of Wight, last evening (Tuesday) to a most -fashionable audience and are reengaged for four nights in the ensuing week here.  SUICIDE or A
The Sun. — 1844-04-03 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF THE GROOM OF SIR J. KEY.—Monday Mr. T. Wakley, M.P„ coroner, held an inquest at the Watermen's Arms, Old Brentford, on the body of Charles Shepherd, aged 23 years, groom to Sir John Key, whose body was found floating in the river Thames on Friday last. On s3h,Sesoilters, and hope the bank had been discovered deceased's hat ; in it was found a pair of leather gloves, in which was the following letter in the deceased's handwriting, in pencil :--" Dear Father and Mother,—l wrote this with a broken heart to you, and ,dare say it will hurt yours as well when you'll hear of my last end. I had a good place, that you know, but Mrs. hindered me of It by giving me such a shameful character, which .1 did not deserve. I know I have done wrong, but I could not help it. Aftervgiollondlsybu-3ff,eetrraanfivdresl:onifdg about with an empty stomach day after day, and suffering so much as I did, and then getting a place, I thought Mrs. would not hinder me from it ; but she is capable bnofloetssasi nyyitnohugi saali.3o•rtlhGdi:ti vigne, the ye very tto likelycoaililem. they will do well In the world and take care of themselves. I have one wish before I die, which is, that my sister Jane should have my Bible that Lady Key gave me. It is at Mr. Pearman's, and I hope she will take care of it for my sake. So no more from 'your broken-hearted brother, Charles Shepherd." On the envelope was written, " Charles Shephaed now lies beneath the water, all through Mrs. preventing me from a good place, and made me broken-hearted.' Verdict_" Found drowned, suppoied by his own act ; but as to the state of his' mind, there was no evidence to show." While the jury were signing the verdict, Hughes, the constable of Brentford, asked the Coroner what was to be done with the deceased's clothes. The reason of his asking was, that the friends of the deceased were too poor to bury him, and the expense would, therefore, fall on the parish of Ealing, the officers of which had directed him to seize the clothes on their behalf, towards defraying the expenses. Mr. Wakley, who, with the jury, appeared much surprised at the orders of the parish officers, said, "Give the poor fellow's things tolls mother, and leave the body for the parish officers."
The Sun. — 1844-08-23 (London, England)

DETERMINED SUICIDE FROM FALSE PRIDE.—MT. Wakley held on inquest on Wednesday, at the Crown, Aberdeen-place, Maids-hill, on the late Mr. Charles Edwards, aged 53, of 7. Clarendon-place, Maida-vale, a wealthy retired carcass butcher, formerly of Newgatemarket. From the evidence, it appeared that he and another had been executors to some property, and that a quarrel having taken place between him and his coexecutor, the latter filed a bill and obtained an injunction against his receiving the property, which so hurt his pride and pressed upon his mind that he became extremely melancholy. Last Saturday, two days after the obtaining the injunction, he dreSsed himself and went out shortly after breakfast, as if to take a walk, but he was found two hours afterwards, with his throat eut,.in the water-closet of his house, and the razor with which he committed the deed lying close upon the seat. He was not dead, but insensible, and lived twenty-four hours afterwards. During the latter interval he articulated " No," when asked if he desired to see Mrs. Edwards. All the witnesses were of opinion that he committed the rash deed in consequence of the Chancery suit having been decided against him. Verdict—" Insanity at the time he committed the suicide." One evening last week a fine little boy about six years old, of the name of Tobin, whilst playing on George's quay, ventured to the river side and unfortu nately fell in. A commotion amongst the lookers-on was the immediate consequence, screams and vociferations were heard, but still the poor little fellow was fast drowning. The schooner Golden Eagle was at the oppoite. side, Charlotte-quay, and her captain, Andrew Shewan, who was at the time changing his dress in the cabin, upon hearing the tumult from the opposite side, sprang upon the deck and over the vessel's side into the small boat, and being ably assisted by his mate, they were close to the drowning child in less time than could bethought possible, when the captain plunged into the water with the daring intrepidity characteristic of a British seaman, and caught the little fellow, who was quite insensible ; but has since recovered. We know not whether Captain Shewan be a man of family, but it must be matter of great gratulation to him thus to have saved the life of an interesting little fellow.—Cork Ex(r  The Speaker of the House of Commons last week passed through Edinburgh, on his way to Taymouth Castle, to pay a visit to the Marquis of Breadalbane. fie returned on Monday to Edinburgh, and left on Tuesday for England.