The news that spread through our town on Saturday evening last, that the Rev. H. M. Maugham had passed away at about six o'clock, came to most of the inhabitants as a shock, for, although it was generally known that he had been in failing health for some time past, and that for the last three weeks he had been confined to his bed, the serious nature of his illness was not realised by the majority of parishioners.

Mr. Maugham entered his 70th year while on his sick bed. He came to Whitstable in the year 1871, on the resignation of the living by the Rev. Hugh W. Bateman, who was presented to the vicarage of S. John's, Waterloo Road, London.

After becoming an associate of King's College, London, in 1848, Mr. Maugham proceeded to Oriel College, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. (3rd class Math.) in 1852, and M.A. in 1885. He was ordained Deacon in 1858, by the Bishop of Oxford, and Priest in 1855 by the Bishop of Winchester. Prior to his appointment, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, to the Vicarage of Whitstable, he was curate of Hazlemere with Tyler's Green, Bucks, 1853-4; curate of St. Thomas, Ryde, I. of W., 1854-5; curate of Reigate, 1885-8; curate of Chertsey, 1858-60; curate in charge of Kirton by Boston, 1860-67; curate in charge of Sturry, Kent, 1867; curate in charge of St. Peter, Sandwich, 1867-70; curate in charge of West Farleigh, Kent, 1870-71; and curate of East Malling, Kent, 1871.

During his incumbency the parish church of All Saints has been thoroughly restored. In 1873 the tower was repaired and strengthened, while its ancient features were carefully preserved. At the same time the west wall of the nave and the north-west corner of the aisle were rebuilt. In 1876 the reparation included the reconstruction of the remainder of the nave and chancel under the direction of the eminent architect, Charles Barry, Esq., of London, the cost of the re-building of the chancel being borne by Mrs. T. Clarke, the lay-improprietor of the tithes. A new vestry was at the same time added to the church.

In 1874 the churchyard (which had been closed for interments under an Order in Council in the year 1857) was added to by the gift of Wynn Ellis, Esq., of a large piece of land adjoining. This was consecrated on the 3rd January, 1875, and here the late Vicar now rests.

He was twice married, his first wife being a lady of German birth, who died and was buried at Ems, where she was staying with her husband for the benefit of her health. About three years ago Mr. Maugham married Miss Matthews, daughter of the late General Matthews, of Bath, who survives him. He leaves no children.

The funeral took place on Tuesday, and was an impressive ceremony. Most of the places of business in the town were closed from one to three o'clock. The procession left the Vicarage at half-past one. The chief mourners were Mr. Henry Maugham and Mr. W. Somerset Maugham, nephews, who were accompanied by Mr. J. Hayward. The trustees of the local charities (of which body the deceased was a member) followed, as did also a number of Freemasons, wearing white gloves, and each carried a sprig of acacia, which they dropped into the grave at the conclusion of the burial, Mr. Maugham having been for many years a member of the local Lodge, of which he was a Past Master, holding also the rank of Past Provincial Grand Chaplain. Many other inhabitants formed part of the procession.

Arrived at the churchyard, the coffin was received by the clergy - the Rev. W. Blizzard, Vicar of Seasalter, the Rev. E. A. Phillips, Rector of Swalecliffe, and the Rev. E. Ellman, assistant curate and mission priest of Whitstable.

The whole of the choir were present, vested in surplice and cassock, and the cortege moved to the west door of the church while the accustomed sentences were intoned by the clergy.

The coffin, which was covered with beautiful wreaths and crosses, was deposited in the chanel, and Psalm 90 was sung to Felton's mournful chant. The lesson was read by the Rev. E. Ellman, and then, preceeded by the choir and clergy singing the hymn, "O, Paradise.", the coffin was borne to the grave. The commital prayers were said by the Rev. W. Blissard, the anthem, "I heard a voice from Heaven," being beautifully sung by the choir, who also, at the close of the service, sang with great feeling the hymn, "Now the labourer's task is o'er."

Their had been a celebration of the Holy Communion during the morning, at which Mrs. Maugham and friends were present. In addition to those who followed from the Vicarage, a large number of persons were present in church and in the churchyard.

We have been requested to express the sincerest thanks of Mrs. Maugham and the other members of the family of the late Vicar of Whitstable, for the kindness universally shown to them in the latter's illness and death, and especially to thank those who attended his funeral at Whitstable church on Tuesday, the 21st of September.