Obituary.

'a Beckett—On 15th October, Mr Gilbert à Beckett, aged 54. For the past twelve years he had been on the Punch staff.

Parton.—On 17th October, at Newburyport, Mass., Mr James Parton, an industrious and popular American author, aged 69.

Herbert.—In December, Mr George Herbert, a well known and highly respected Dublin publisher. He was largely concerned in the dissemination of high-class religious literature.

Piatt.—On 12th November, at Machochee, Ohio, aged 72, Col. Dom Piatt, a well known and influential American journalist. He was formerly editor of the Washington Capitol.

Caird.—On 10th February, the Right Hon. Sir James Caird, P.C., K.C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., aged 76. He was an eminent authority and voluminous writer on agricultural subjects; and as member for Stirling in the House of Parliament carried a resolution in favor of collecting agricultural statistics, which have accordingly been regularly published since 1866.

Wingfield.—On 12th November, the hon. Lewis Wingfield, artist, actor, author, critic, surgeon, and war correspondent. He was one of the first Englishmen who obtained permission to travel in the interior of China, and his knowledge of Eastern countries was extensive.

Adams.—A prolific writer has passed away in the person of Mr W. H. Davenport Adams, who died on 30th December, at Wimbledon, aged 62. Originally a journalist, he latterly figured as translator and compiler, besides being one of the most popular writers of stories for boys. He translated Figuier and Michelet, he annotated Shakspeare; and his works include religious, historical, biographical, and ornithological subjects.

Hansard.—On 12th November, at Kingston-on-Thames, Mr Thomas Curzon Hansard, aged 78. On the death of his father, he took up the publication of the parliamentary record bearing his name, and—latterly in conjunction with his son—continued the editing for over fifty years. He was also, in former years, a leading authority on the typographic art, and wrote the articles on Printing and Typefounding for the seventh edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, which appeared in 1841, and revised them for the eighth edition, which appeared in 1859.