Aged forty, came from Suffolk, admitted 18th July 1822. This poor
unhappy man had a wife and four children. He evinced no symptoms of
violence, or mental derangement, except a settled melancholy. He
appeared constantly in a low, dejected, and desponding state, but
assigned to no one the cause of his wretchedness; probably that cause
was combined of extreme poverty and embarrassment, and the dread of
being unable to support his beloved wife and offspring, so dear to his
affections.
When first admitted he appeared quite languid; was ordered by the
physicians an allowance of wine, but preferred, and was permitted,
to have porter instead. After some time he appeared to get better in
spirits and health, and was employed in some little offices about the
gallery: but he appeared to have an insurmountable antipathy to all
social intercourse with the other inmates. If he was sitting down, and
a few of his fellow-patients, cheerfully disposed of an evening, began
to amuse themselves by singing or dancing, while a keeper played on his
flute, poor Parsons would immediately rise from his seat, and wander
alone to the remote end of the gallery. He very seldom conversed with
or spoke to any one. He had attempted twice to destroy himself, while
at home with his friends.
On Sunday, December 1st 1822, he had taken tea with his keeper at
six o’clock; and, after tea, the keeper saw him no more till eight
o’clock; when, on coming to his room-door, and missing him, he supposed
he was in the water-closet, or had fallen asleep somewhere about the
gallery. He instantly went in search of him, and at last found him
in the dining-room, sitting on the floor, with his legs stretched
out, his arms and hands resting in front, his chin supported on his
breast, with a rope about his neck, fastened at one end to the iron
bars of the window. He was quite dead. The cord with which he effected
his fatal purpose was composed of many pieces tied together, and a
slip-noose made to receive his neck: it must, therefore, have required
deliberate contrivance, as well as determined resolution, to effect his
desperate purpose: a purpose which, sooner or later, if once fixed by
the melancholy maniac, he will effect in spite of all vigilance, if the
means are within his reach. The keeper, on finding him, instantly cut
him down; and Dr. Wright, with the steward, immediately attended. He
was bled, and every means used to restore him, but the vital spark was
fled.
A coroner’s inquest was held on the body, and returned a verdict, Death
in consequence of Insanity. But the manner in which he obtained the
cord by which he effected his purpose, eluded all inquiry.