May 20. . . . Suicide of Herbert (“Frank Forester”), an ancient sporting pal of Tom Griffing and Fred Anthon, whose brother Phil all but witnessed the act. Herbert was an uncommonly poor devil but a man of very scholarly culture, and there are elements of profoundest tragedy in the transaction.*
The ambrosial Hurlbut has gone to Europe at last.
*Henry William Herbert (1807-1858), prolific and talented English-born writer, now best remembered for his books on field sports and horses, had made an unhappy marriage, and been deserted by his wife.
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
How sad.
Henry William Herbert Wikipedia page.
"He was staying at the Stevens Hotel in Manhattan, New York City and invited several men to dine with him on what would be the last night of his life. Only one gentleman accepted his invention, Philip Hone Anthon, a pupil of Herbert's, who most likely accepted the invitation due to Herbert's plea that he was very lonely, after which he begged Anthon to spend as much time as possible with him. Herbert took his own life on 17 May 1858 at 2:00 am."