The late Dr. Willis - The rumours respecting the death of this lamented gentleman which have prevailed for some weeks, and which have been noticed in former papers, we are assured will be met with the most perfect frankness by the family of the late Rev. P. Curtois (in whose house at Branston he died), and with a determination that the cause and circumstances of his death shall undergo the most rigid investigation. Pending the enquiry, we have been favored by the Rev. Atwill Curtois (son of the late Rev. P. Curtois), the present incumbent of Branston, with the following statement relating to the health of Dr. Willis, and the incidents of his death:-

"Monday Sept. 21, 1835.-Dr. Willis, after galloping a horse which was going to Lincoln races, complained of being very much exhausted : he made Miss M. Curtois feel his pulse, which was very intermittent, and repeated his frequent observation "that he should die as his father had done." On that day he went to dine at Burghley, but did not dance at the ball in the evening, although asked by Lady Exeter, as he said he "somehow did not feel equal to it." At this ball, Miss Curtois danced with Dr. Hopkinson, who said in answer to her remark that Dr. Willis was looking wonderfully well, "Yes, Dr. Willis does look very well now: but, depend upon it, whenever he dies, it will be suddenly; indeed, you need not be suprised to see him die at the dinner table at any time." Mr. Cooper made the same remark to Mr. Curtois at this very ball: both gentlemen frequently expressed this opinion the winter before, whilst attending him during the shingles. Dr. Willis was latterly very subject to faintliness and giddiness in his head, and used to complain of great fatigue after walking, and was often short-breathed; he also mentioned that a lump frequently rose in his side, which was dispersed by friction.

"On Wednesday Sept. 23rd, Dr. Willis came to Longhills [Branston]; in passing, he stopped his carriage to speak to Mr. Edward Chaplin, who remarking on his good looks, Dr. Willis answered him, "looks are often deceitful." He complained of lumbago very much the next morning; in spite of which, he rode to Lincoln, to the races, and he dined at the ordinary: this was the last meal of which Dr. Willis ever partook. On his health being drunk, he returned thanks, and alluded to his attendance on the King, and even shed tears. He afterwards appeared restless, and anxious to reuturn home, saying he did not feel well. At 11 o'clock he arrived at Longhills with Mr. Curtois: sat round the fire with him and the Miss Curtoises; the sago was brought in, and some mixed in a glass for him, but contrary to his usual habit, he refused it.

"Sept. 25th-Dr. Willis was called as usual: at 8 o'clock he desired Gane to tell the Miss Curtoises that he had had a very good night, and never felt better in his life." He desired Gane to order horses for the carriages for the ball, and also begged the breakfast might be punctual, as he wished to go to Lincoln to see his horses. About 20 minutes before 9, Miss M. Curtois, whose room was opposite to his, thought she heard him retching, and went and listened at his door, but all was quiet; and on the maid's coming in, she instantly asked her how Dr. Willis had passed the night, when the maid gave her the message sent by Dr. Willis at 8 o'clock; but added, Gane was very much suprised his master had not rung, and that he was going up to see the reason. A few minutes after 9, Gane's voice was heard screaming for Mr. Curtois. On rushing up stairs, Mr. Curtois found him lying on the floor, half dressed, apparently dead, but not cold. Mr. Curtois and Gane tried to pour brandy dowh his throat-his legs were put into hot water, he then was lifted into a hot bed, and his body was rubbed with vinegar. A groom was sent off instantly for Dr. Wm. Cookson. Mr. Curtois, becoming most impatient for his arrival, rode off to meet him, and saw Mr. Hett passing the gate, and brought him in. Mr. Hett pronounced that all was over, and that the cause of the sudden death was water at the chest, of which Dr. Willis' father had died. A bottle of camphorated spirits of wine was found by him, without the cork, and it appeared that while he was rubbing his back with the spirits, the water had gone to the heart; that he had slipped from his chair onto the floor and died without a struggle; his countenance was perfectly placid and unchanged. Dr. Wm. Cookson arrived in about an hour and a half; Mr. Curtois was not in the house, so after going up to see Dr. Willis, Dr. Wm. Cookson came into the drawing room to the Miss Curtoises, and informed them that the death was occasioned by water on the chest. Mr. Curtois told his daughters in the morning there must be an inquest, which he regretted, as Dr. Willis had always expressed his horror of inquests; he even on one occasion, when reading in the paper the account of an inquest, remarked to Miss Curtois, "what an abominable shame it was that people should be exposed to such a thing after death". It was therefore a great relief to all the family when Mr. Hett and Dr. Wm. Cookson gave their decided opinion that no inquest was necessary. The same opinion was given and acted upon on the occasion of Mr. F. Chaplin's sudden death, a short time afterwards, from the same cause. No one had entered Dr. Willis' room that morning, excepting Gane, unless it might be the housemaid to light the fire. No-one ever went into his room in the morning, except his own valet, and a housemaid to light the fire when the weather was cold, which it was not at that time. Dr. Willis' medicine chest was always kept in his own room."