SHOCKING SUICIDE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2316, 19 August 1880, Page 2

SHOCKING SUICIDE.

.V THEATRICAL AGENT HIS OWN MURDERER. One of the most determined suicides that has ever occurred in Sydney took place at some unknown time between 8 and 9 o’clock on Friday week. The selfmurderer is Henry Corbyn, theatrical agent, aged about 31- years, who conducted Hardwood’s tour in India recently. He arrived in Sydney on June sth and took up his quarters at the Oxford Hotel, the landlord of which (Mr Howell) ho made the acquaintance of during his tour in India. Deceased was a son of Mr Haudall Corbyn, the celebrated theatrical agent in London, who has managed the business of many of the best troupes in England, and a brother of Mr Sheridan Corbyn, who brought out the Georgia troupe of negro minstrels to Sydney in 1877. The late Mr Henry Corbyn kept somewhat irregular hours frequently sleeping for 15 or 20 hours at a stretch,and occasionally not leaving his room for 21 hours. He has had no employment since he has been in Sydney. At S o'clock on Friday morning deceased came home to the Oxford Hotel, and told the barmaid that he had spent the night with a friend and was going to bed. He said, “I am going up to bed. I do not want to be disturbed. I want a good sleep.” At (3 o’clock on Friday night Mr Howell sent a boy up to his room to ask him to come to dinner. The boy returned saying “ I’ve rapped heavily at his door, which is locked, but can got no reply.” Mr Rowell then said, “ Oh, never mind ; let him have his sleep out.” It proved to be the sleep of death for the unfortunate man never emerged from the bed upon which he had stretched himself. At 10 o’clock on Saturday morning, Mr Howell got up and was informed that Corbyn had not yet come out of his room. He then thought something must be wrong, and knocked repeatedly and loudly at his door. Heceiving no reply, Mr Howell sent for the police to enquire what was to be done in the matter. About half-past 12 o’clock detective Ljmns came to the Oxford Hotel, and broke open the room occupied by Corbyn. A dreadful sight was then presented, Corbyn was found lying undressed in his bed, with the artery of the left arm severed above the elbow. He had indicted a horrible gash on his arm with the razor, which he had closed and placed on the dressing table after the perpetration of the rash act. The bed-clothes and mattresses were fairly saturated with blood, which had penetrated through to the floor. Corbyn was not supposed to be in pecuniary difficulties, and ifc is supposed that something in connection with the old, old story ’’ was the cause of the suicide. He evidently died painlessly, as there was a smile on his lips when he was found.