Mr. Owen Rees, so well known as a partner in
the great publishing. house of Longman and Company, died suddenly on the 5th instant, at his seat, Gilligron, near Neath in Glamorganshire. We copy an obituary notice of Mr. Rees from the Morning Chronicle: nobody who knew him will say that the character of the deceased has been drawn. by a too flattering hand- " Owen Rees was for about forty years a principal partner in the extensive house of Messrs. Longman and Co. We believe he was horn on the estate where he breathed his last, which he purchased several years ago, and greatly improved. We have heard him state that his family had long been its occu pants. He began life in Bristol, from which more than fit ty years ago he re. moved to the metropolis. After a life of great activity, Mr. Rees withdrew from business, a few months ago. Before he quitted town for South \Vales, au entertainment was given to him by about forty (Able oldest friends ; who, knowing the pleasure lie derived from his visits every summer to a spot which he had made the theatre of so many valuable improvements, anticipated for him many years of his favourite enjoyment. To his own relations his death will be an illy parable loss; and the surrounding country, which sets greatly benefited by the improvements he introduced, and where his active kindness was extensively felt, as ill lament a benefactor. Who is there connected with literature iu any part of the Three Kingdoms to whom Owen Rees is unknown ? Possessed of first. rate talents for business, he excelled most men in the tact and rapidity with which he made up his mind on matters which to many men would have been subjects of perplexity. It was always a great sail-fiction to have any thing to
do with Mr. Rees. He saw his way clearly before him, and he never kept the other party in suspense by unnecessary delay or hesitation. There was a peculiar frankness about him, which told the stranger in a nio.
meat that in Mr. Rees confidence would never be betrayed. But he was more than an able tradesman-he was a kindhearted and accomplished gentleman. Hence the particular affection borne to Mr. Rees by almost every literary character of any eminence during the last thirty years. Tu name the first names in English literature, is to draw up a list of the personal friends of Owen Rees. With Mr. Thomas Moore lie was on a footing of the most confi• dential intimacy. By all who knew him he was uniformly spoken of with kind- ness and regard. Detraction could not have fastened upon one spot in the character of this worthy man. Mr. Rees retired in possession of a moderate fie tune. It might have been much greater but for the many proofs of fibs- rality which he gave. His bounty was carried so far, that I e fitted out for India some young persons, nut related to him, merely because he had a regard fur their parents. Many and many a man in London has found Owen Rees a kind and liberal friend in his difficulties. Peace be with him ! We understand that Mr. Rees was about sixty•six or sixty-seven years of ago. He never was married."
It is rather curious, that Mr. Sherwood, of the firm of Sherwood and Co., and Mr. John Macrone, the" publisher of St. James's Square, as well as Mr. Rees, have died within a few days of each other, and ubout the same time that another publisher, Mr. Charles Knight, re- ceived an ugly wound from the bite of a dog at Bruges. We are happy to hear, however, that Mr. Knight is rapidly recovering horn his accident.
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