The Press.
London, England, 1858-09-18 00:00:00

Obituarg.

THE MARCHIONESS (SARAH) TOWNSHEND died on
Saturday last at Brighton. The deceased
marchioness, who was daughter of Mr. Wm. Dunn-
Gardner, married, 12th May, 1807, George, third
Marquis Townshend, but separated in the following
year, without issue by his lordship. Iu 1809 her
ladyship was married at Gretna-green to Mr. John
Margetts, her issue by whom were declared illegiti-
mate by Act of Parliament in 1843, her eldest son up
to then taking the title of Earl of Leicester, and had
a seat in the House of Commons. After the demise
of the late Marquis Townshend, in December, 1835,
her ladyship married, in the following year, Mr. John
Laidler. The funeral took place on Friday, at
Kensal-green Cemetery.
THOMAS ASSHETON SMITH, EsQ., the proprietor of
the rich and extensive slate quarries of Llanberis,
expired at ten o'clock on the 9th instant, at his
Welsh residence, Vaynol, situated on the banks of the
Menai, near Bangor. He bad been gradually sinking
under the infirmities of age for some tune. Mr.
Smith was well known as the greatest foxliunter and
most daring rider in England. Fur many years he was
leader of the Melton Hunt, and his ambition was to
have the best mounted huntsman and whippers-in
in the kingdom. His keenness and prowess as a
sportsman earned fur him the title of the " Btitish
Nitnrod." His inimitable stud and celebrated pack
of foxhounds were principally kept at his sea: at Ted-
worth, in Hampshire, where he passed most of his
time ; but when in the principality be regularly
visited the quarries and manifested the liveliest in-
terest in the welfare of those he employed. Although
quick in temper he was equally prompt in warm and
generous impulses, and his loss will be felt severely
by many among the thousands of workmen he em•
ployed. The political principles of Mr. Smith were
of the old Conservative school, and he represented
Carnarvonshire formerly for some years. He was
the builder of the largest-sized and greatest number
of yachts of any one private person in England. On
the news of his death reaching Carnarvon the flag of
the Royal Welsh Yacht Club, of which he was com-
modore, was hoisted half-mast high, and other tokens
of respect shown to his memory.
WILLIAM WEIR EsQ., the principal editor of the
Daily News, died at his town residence, on Wednes-
day, after an illness of only a few days' duration. Mr.
Weir was born in 1802, in North Britain, and having
made the best use of the schools of his native country,
completed his academic studies at the University of
Gottingen. In 1826, having returned to these islands,
he was called to the Scottish bar. He, however, soon
exchanged a legal for a political and literary career,
and for several years conducted one of tho most ablo
and influential newspapers of Scotland. Removing

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to London he at once took a high position in his
profession, and joined the Spectator. On the
establishment of the Daily News he became
associated with the celebrated staff of that journal,
and on the death of Mr. F. K. Hunt, in 1851, he
succeeded to its principal editorship.
COLONEL CHARLES H. SPENcE, of the 60th Rifles,
died on the Bth instant, after above thirty years'
service in that distinguished corps. He entered the
army in 1825, and bad seen considerable active
service in India. He served with the Ist battalion of
the 60th Rifles during the second siege operations
at Mooltan, including the siege and storm of the
town and capture of the citadel of Mooltan ; after-
wards at the battle of Guojerat, pursuit of the Sikh
army underßajah Shere Singh until its final surrender
at %mut Pindee ; the occupation of Attock and
Peshawur, and expulsion of toe Affghan force under
1 the Ameer Dost Mahomed beyond the Khyber Pass,
for which he received the medal and clasps. His
commission was dated as follows :—Se.cond lieutenant,
April 20, 1825 ; lieutenant, Sept. 28, 1826 ; captain,
May 24, 1811 ; major, Oct. 20, 1848 ; lieut.-colonel,
Oct. 2, 1853. _ _

GENERAL THOMAS A. PARKE, C. 8., died a few days
since, at his residence at Hythe, near Southampton,
aged seventy seven. This gallant officer was present
at Admiral Duncan's victory at Camperdown, on the
11th October, 1797. He commanded two companies
of M.trine Artillery in Spain in 1812, and three
companies in America from 1813 to 1810, including
the attack and capture of the intrenched camp at
Hampton; besides the above, he has been twelve
times engaged with the enemy in boats and on shore.
His commissions bear date, as cornet, 9th May,
1795 ; lieutenant, 23rd November, 1790 ; captain,
15th August, 1805 ; major, 12th August, 1819 ;
lieutenant-colonel, 31st December, 1832 ; colonel,
20th April, 1838 ; colonel-commandant, 12th Feb-
ruary, 1842 ; major-general, 11th November, 1851 ;
and general, oth February, 1857. He bad received
the silver naval medal, and was in receipt of the good-
service pension for his active services, the good.
service pension only having been given to him ou the
27th June, 1857.
THE Rev. CHARLES MARRIOTT, 8.D., of 'Oriel
College, Oxford, and late vicar of St. Mary's (the
University church), died on Thursday, at St. Andrew's
College, Bradfield, Berks, where ho had been resid-
ing with his brother for the last four years. He was
known as the author of several voiutues of sermon:;
and theological treatises.