*DILKE, CIIARLES 1VENTWO11TH, who has been intimately associated with the literature of his time, was born on the 8th of December 1789. In early life he entered the Navy Pay Office as a clerk; and while there became a contributor to several of the reviews and magazines. A valuable collection of ' Old English Plays,' in 6 vols., was edited by Mr. Dilke in 1814. After a long service in the Navy Pay Office, when some alterations were effected by consolidating several divisions, he retired on a pension. Ile then became proprietor, by purchase, of the 'Athenaeum; a literary journal, which had been for some time etruggling to preserve its existence. His first step was to reduce the price from one shilling to fonrpence, and by his judicious management lie gradually succeeded in rendering it a popular and influential journal, and ultimately a valuable property. Much of the reputation of this literary paper has been derived from Mr. Mike's constant and judicious superintendence, although the
laborious duties of editor havo been recently discharged by others, among whom has been Mr. T. K. Hervey, who held the office from 1846 to about the end of 1853. Mr. Mike's researches is curious points of literary history, such as the authorship of 'Junius,' occa sionally appear iu papers of the 'Athenaeum.' Cuenus WENnvonnt DILKE (Mr. Dunce's son), was one of the earliest and most active among the originators of the Great Industrie! Exhibition of 1851, and he was appointed one of the executive com mittee. Ills knowledge, taste, and unwearied industry contributed largely to the success of this undertaking. For iris services he declined ?ny pecuniary reward, and also preferred to remain without the honour of knighthood.