“ He applied himself to journalism and literary criticism, and after the resignation by William Hepworth Dixon of the editorship of the Athenæum in 1869 was appointed by Sir Charles Dilke editor of that periodical, an office which he held for over 30 years, and which was the chief achievement of his life. In many respects he was an ideal editor. A man of wide culture, exact scholarship, and great literary judgment, he was in full and perfect sympathy with the great movements in literature, science, art, and the drama, all being subjects dealt with in the Athenæum. ”

“ He was of a genial and social nature, ever ready to give information, especially on matters connected with his favourite study, Spanish literature. He had a sly sense of humour, and could tell a good story, and was entirely destitute of malice, or, indeed, of any other of the evil passions usually supposed to prevail among literary critics. ”

“ A large circle of literary friends will learn with much regret of the sudden death of Mr. Norman Maccoll, for many years the editor of the Athenæum. Mr. Maccoll was born in 1843, and was therefore only 61 at the time of his death, which tool place suddenly yesterday morning at is residence, 4, Campden-hill-square. ”