[From Manks Advertiser, Tuesday, 19th June 1832]

THE LATE ROBERT CUNINGHAME, ESQ.

We every day feel, and we every where find abundance of reasons for saying, that the ways of Heaven are dark and intricate; but there is one of its paths on which the darkness rests more thick, and the mazes are more perplexing than those of any other; and it is that one we tread, when, assisted only by the light of nature, we attempt to trace the footsteps, and justify the arrangements of Unerring Wisdom, when HE is employed in meteing out the span of man's mortal existence. Like some noxious weed, or some lightning-riven trunk, that occupy the sunny spot where, the vine or the olive might have bloomed, we too frequently behold, with wonder and regret, creatures remarkable only for intellectual imbecility or moral worlhlessness, stretching out their years far beyond the ordinary limits of human life; while we are every hour called to sorrow over the grave of the young, the vigorous, and the kind-hearted ones of the earth, at the very moment they were presenting the brightest promise of future usefulness to that society which so proudly claimed them for its own, — either by imparting, like some goodly tree, a new feature of loveliness to the moral scene, or of long, very long, affording to some of its families both happiness and shelter. We have been anticipated, we doubt not, in these reflections, by very many who last week heard, with throbbing hearts and streaming eyes, of the death of ROBERT CUNINGHAME.

Last Wednesday morning, accompanied by two of his friends, he was walking in his fields. Still later in the day he looked and felt in perfect health; — but some matter of business having called him into Castletown — just as he was passing through the marketplace, between two and three o'clock, he fell down speechless on the street. He was immediately carried into the George Inn, where Doctors Hassel and Underwood almost instantly brought to his assistance all the resources of the healing art; — but it soon too evidently appeared that one of the larger blood vessels had given way, — that his spirit had taken its departure, — and that it was beyond the reach of science to bring it back. Yesterday his remains were committed to the tomb, — and the expression of intense sorrow that so strikingly marked the countenance of every one of the immense multitude assembled from all parts of the Island round that grave presented a pleasing though melancholy testimony of the vast share which he who now occupies it, had so long and so deservedly possessed of the public esteem.

Mr. Cuninghame, thus struck to the earth in the prime of manhood, has left behind him a venerable mother, an amiable wife, and many much loved children, together with a very wide circle of relatives and friends, to lament his too early death; but he has also left with them many, very many, sweet remembrances of the manner in which he performed the part of the dutiful son — the devotedly attached husband and father — the sincere, warm-hearted friend — the hospitable, and charitable, and truly patriotic Manks country gentleman ; and now that his part in the little bustling drama of mortal existence has been so speedily completed, we may indeed look back with profit and satisfaction to the able manner in which so many truly important characters were sustained by him whose affectionate welcomings are to fall on our ears no more, — and we shall be doing well if we each in our sphere endeavour to rival or surpass him; but surely neither his kindred, nor his friends, nor his countrymen, nor anyone who can joyously reflect that this earth with all its beauties, its pleasures, and its cares, is only man's temporary home, have any reason to repine on his account at such a faithful servant being so hastily called away to meet the approving smiles of THE GREAT MASTER waiting to receive him behind the scenes.

FUNERAL PROCESSION.

Lord Bishop's Carriage.
Archdeacon's Do.
Carriage for Clergymen.
Do. for Doctors.
Castletown Club.
Vicar-General — Lord Bishop — Archdeacon.
3 Pall-Bearers — HEARSE — 3 Pall-Bearers.
Mourners.
Servants.
Council.
House of Keys.
Tenants.
Gentlemen.
Kirk Arbory Club.
Detachment of the 24th Regiment.
70 Carriages, or upwards.

Our venerated Lieutenant-Governor, whose fine features indicated how greatly and how deeply he participated in the general sorrow, being far from well, joined the procession outside of Castletown. — While it was slowly moving through the town, the flag on the battlements of Castle Rushen was lowered — all the shops were shut — business and labour of every kind was suspended — and the solemn stiliness of the hour was unbroken, save when some of the humble standers-by occasionally heard detailing to the surrounding group, the virtues of him whose remains were then passing along to mingled kindred dust in the family vault at Kirk Arbory.

Mona's Herald, Friday, July 11, 1834
Yesterday, at Lorne House, Castletown, Mrs. Cunninghame, relict of the late Robert Cunninghame, Esq. This worthy family has been most melancholy afflicted these last two years. No less than eight of the principal members of the house having been called to that bourne from whence no traveller returns.

Rising Sun, Saturday, February 23, 1822
MARRIAGES. At Kk. Braddan Church, by Special Licence, by the Rev. T. Howard, on Monday the 18th inst. Robert Cunninghame, Esq. Deputy Attorney-General of this Island, to Miss Margaret Macdougal, of Gallinich, Argyleshire.

		see Goldie-Taubman
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