ountry where they are least controlled by the
restraint of regulation and discipline; and it is equally certain, that
in no civilized country under the sun there is such a relaxation of
discipline, either religious or civil, as in England. The month of
August produced a remarkable instance of desperate revenge, perpetrated
by one Stirn, a native of Hesse-Cassel, inflamed and exasperated by a
false punctilio of honour. This unhappy young man was descended of a
good family, and possessed many accomplishments both of mind and person;
but his character was distinguished by such a jealous sensibility, as
rendered him unhappy in himself, and disagreeable to his acquaintance.
After having for some years performed the office of usher in a
boarding-school, he was admitted to the house of one Mr. Matthews, a
surgeon, in order to teach him the classics, and instruct his children
in music, which he perfectly understood. He had not long resided in his
family, when the surgeon took umbrage at some part of his conduct, taxed
him roughly with fraud and ingratitude, and insisted upon his removing
to another lodging. Whether he rejected this intimation, or found
difficulty in procuring another apartment, the surgeon resolved to expel
him by violence, called in the assistance of a peace-officer, and turned
him out into the street in the night, after having loaded him with the
most provoking reproaches. These injuries and disgraces operating upon
a mind jealous by nature and galled by adversity, produced a kind
of frenzy of resentment, and he took the desperate resolution of
sacrificing Mr. Matthews to his revenge. Next day, having provided a
case of pistols, and charged them for the occasion, he reinforced
his rage by drinking an unusual quantity of wine, and repaired in
the evening to a public house, which Mr. Matthews frequented, in the
neighbourhood of Hatton-Garden. There he accordingly found the unhappy
victim sitting with some of his friends; and the surgeon, instead of
palliating his former conduct, began to insult him afresh with the most
opprobrious invectives. Stirn, exasperated by this additional indignity,
pulled his pistols from his bosom; shot the surgeon, who immediately
expired; and discharged the other at his own breast, though his
confusion was such that it did not take effect. He was apprehended on
the spot, and conveyed to prison; where, for some days, he refused all
kind of sustenance, but afterwards became more compose