The Sun. — 1861-07-26 (London, England)

SHOOTING TRAGEDY AT DERBY.  On Wednesday evening the Derby police were informed that a man named Robinson, who had cohabited with a married woman named Berrington (whose husband had left her some years ago), had been missing since Monday. His house was locked up, and it was therefore determined to enter it forcibly. The officers found Robinson with his clothes on in a stupified state on the floor, and the woman lay on the bed, her skin discoloured, and apparently in a stupified state. Mr. German, surgeon, arrived in a few minutes afterwards, but the woman died about twenty minutes after his arrival. On entering the bedroom, Inspector Fern observed to Robinson, " Why, she has taken poison," and he replied, " If she has, she took it out of one of those two bottles" (pointing to two that were upon the table). Robinson also added, " When I came into the house tonight I complained of having a pain in my bowels, and she (Berrington) said she would give me something to do me good,' but I was not to smell at it. I took some of it." Robinson was taken to a surgeon's, but he fell down in a stupified state, and it was some time before he could be restored to consciousness. Men, however, sat up with him during the whole of Wednesday night, and yesterday the poison had ceased to have any power over him. That murder and suicide were contemplated, the following letter, by Mrs. Berrington, posted to her brother-in•law, Mr. Brown, of Kegworth, on Wednesday evening, will show :  Derby, July 23, 1861.  My Deai Mother and Sister,—l write 6 inform'you that I am very unhappy at this time, and by the time you get this I shall be no more ; but don't blame any one for what I have done. I hope'you will, on receiving this, come to Derby immediately, as no doubt some one will be breaking into the house and taking all there is. I think there will be sufficient to bury me ; and you will find some little things in one of the big boxes that I should like my little Mary to have ; and you will find in the little drawers at the end of the box some portraits. There is one in which me and my young man is taken together. The other is a likeness of his brother, a soldier, belonging to the 4th Company of the Royal Brigade, now at Canton, China. We have been expecting him home some time, and when he returns I should like him to have it, as y have mine. I have sent to him and told him where he will find it, so I hope that you will give it to him, as it was my dear Will's wish, and also mine. Francis Robinson is the young man's name— brother to the one you will find me with. The key of the door you will find in the window; you must break a pane to get it. The key of the box you will find under my head. You will also find in the box that will be locked a packet containing some pledge tickets. You «:11 find the card of my club, and also the rule book; and I think there will be four pounds allowed by the club b bitty me with. The note that you will find on the box please to take to the address as soon as you can. I must now bid you all farewell. —From your affectionate but unhappy sister, SOPHIA BERRINGTON  No. 2, Court, Macklin-street, Derby. P.S. I wish you to have the club money and all other things that may be left.