SUICIDE OF A DUKE'S DAUGHTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 22, 26 January 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

SUICIDE OF A DUKE'S DAUGHTER.

ACUTE RELIGIOUS MANIA,

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

LONDON, December SI, 1900

The shocking end of Lady Katlierine Manners, eldest daughter of the venerable Duke of Eutland, who was found drowned in one of the ornamental waters af Belvoir Castle on Saturday last, created a profound sensation throughout Leicestershire. The young lady, who was 34 only, and enjoyed fair health; started out for a walk in the Park as usual on Friday afternoon, and did not return. At eight in the evening alarm began to be felt, and inquiries were instituted. Police-Constable Wood stated at the inquest that search was made during the whole of the night. It was not until the following morning that it was ascertained that her ladyship had been seen going in a certain direction. In consequence !he went along the Gipsy Walk to the Kennel Bridge, which divides the lake. When he got to the bridge he turned to the left along by the Kennel Woods on the lake side. After he had gone about a hundred yards he saw a dark object floating amongst the rushes by the water's edge. He made a search on the bank, and found a red sunsliaoe lying on some brambles. A lady's heel-marks could be seen in the soft ground close to where the sunshade was, and witness immediately went to the kennels for assistance. He returned, and with help got to the object he had seen in the water. It was the body of Lady Katherine, and under his direction it was removed to the Castle. The sunshade was immediately opposite to where the body was found, and a trail was perceptible from this spat to the water's edge. The deceased was face downwards In the water. The body would be about four yards from the side of the lake. Beyond the rushes the water was deep. There was no current In the water, but as the wind was high at "the time there was a strong ebb towards the side where the body was found. Lady Katherine had suffered for years from religious doubts, accompanied by fits of acute depression. A few months ago she definitely joined the Roman Catholic Church, and since then seemed happier. Presumably, however, a black attack of misery seized her ladyship whilst out walking, and she cast herself into the lake. Neither Lady Katherine's medical man nor her maid expressed themselves particularly surprised at the catastrophe, though the latter said her mistress was much as usual when slie left the Castle for her walk. Father Sabela, her ladyship's Roman Catholic spiritual adviser, resents the implication of suicide, averring she had been perfectly happy since joining xiis church. The jury, however, decided upon a verdict of suicide during temporary mental incapacity. They added that they desired to respectfully tender their sympathy with the family m their bereavement. Unfortunately, Lady Katherine's case is very far from being peculiar or unusual. The number of women of means who failing either to marry or to take up any sensible work fall back on high Churchism, confession, and pet parsons, "has become considerable. It leads almost invariably to hysteria, melancholia, and Roman Catholicism. Once in the Roman fold the worst dangers (always assuming high-minded priests) are over. For charity's sake they will mulct the patient severely, but there's small danger of hysteria, etc., under their repressive regime and rigidly whole#v.Yie fliet.