Obituary.

Hamilton.—On 23rd March, of atrophy, Mr E. Vesey Hamilton, formerly Parliamentary correspondent of the Lyttelton Times, and successively editor of the Star and Canterbury Times, aged 33.

Hastings.—On 11th December, at West Kensington, Mr D. H. Hastings, aged 81. He was at one time a well-known musical and dramatic critic, and served on the staff of the old Morning Herald and other newspapers of a bygone day. His journalistic career dated from 1808.

Keene.—Home papers record the death of Charles Keene, the Punch artist and senior member of the staff, who had been connected with the paper almost from the first. He first established his fame by his masterly illustrations to Mrs Caudle's Curtain Lectures. By many good authorities he was rated as the best artist of his time in black-and-white. For some time past he has been laid aside by illness.

Bell.—On the 27th November, in his 77th year, Mr George Bell, head of the firm of Bell & Sons, publishers, York-st., Covent Garden, after three weeks' illness. Mr Bell was the first publisher of Notes and Queries. In 1864 he took over Bohn's Libraries, and in his hands, conducted on the excellent lines laid down by Henry Bohn, they have more than maintained their old reputation. He also acquired the publishing business of Messrs Whittaker & Co. The business is now entirely in the hands of Messrs Edward and Ernest Bell.

Antonelli.—The death is announced from Italy, after a short illness, of the Cav. Uff. Antonio Antonelli, the Nestor of Italian typography, honorary member of several academies. He was 72 years of age, and the greater part of his life had been spent in the printing profession, the love of which he inherited from his father the Cav. Guiseppe, who founded the celebrated establishment which takes its name from him. He was editor of a number of works, great part of which related to the education of youth.—Printing Times.

Carpenter.—In Wellington, Robert Holt Carpenter, bookbinder, aged 71. Deceased came out in 1840 or 1842, and settled in Molesworth-street, where he remained till his death. He was noted for his eccentricities. In his old shop he had a large and extraordinary collection of old books—many of them worthless, and some rare and valuable. Though they were exposed for sale, he would not always part with them. Many years ago he was for a time a member of the provincial council. A few years ago he was stricken with paralysis, and since that time lived in close seclusion, attended only by his wife.

Hibberd.—On 16th November, at Kew, Mr James Shirley Hibberd, editor of the Gardeners' Magazine, aged 65. Mr Hibberd, before attaining his twenty-fifth year, published a volume of delightful essays on rural life, under the title of « Brambles and Bay Leaves, » and was the editor of a weekly newspaper. For some years he was editor of the Intellectual Observer. In 1858 he projected the Floral World, and of this he was editor until 1875. In 1861 Mr Hibberd became connected with the Gardeners' Magazine, which, under his thirty years' editorship, has occupied a leading position among the horticultural journals.—Printing Times.