Our Sydney telegram received last night announces that the Rev. John West, editor of the "Sydney Morning Herald," had died suddenly as he was returning home from his office.

The intelligence, which can hardly be said to have been unexpected, will, nevertheless, awaken much regret amongst a large number of persons in this colony, where his fame was once 'familiar as a household world,' and where his memory was still cherished with warm affection. Mr. West arrived here some five-and-thirty years ago, and after a brief missonary career in the Northern rural districts, he was invited to form a second Congregational Church in Launceston. A wooden building, purchased and removed to a site in Frederick Street, opposite the residence of Mr. James Henry, was converted into a chapel, and here for a few years he officiated as pastor with great acceptance; until the congregation increasing in numbers rendered it necessary to procure a larger chapel, and the one fronting on Prince's Square was erected.

Mr. West took a lively interest and an active part in everything calculated to promote the welfare of the community, whether in the pulpit, on the platform, or with his pen. He was one of the founders of the Launceston Mechanics' Institute and Benevolent Society, and one of the earliest and most valued contributors to the columns of this journal.

It was at his suggestion that the Australasian League was formed, which was instrumental in procuring the cessation of transportation to the Australian Colonies, and in obtaining for them the advantages of self-government. All these and other services which he rendered may have been forgotten, but his "History of Tasmania," published in 1852, the result of years of patient research and inconceivable labor, will hand down his memory to succeeding ages when contemporaneous monuments of marble shall have crumbled to dust.

From his great skill and tact as a political writer Mr. West was repeatedly urged by the proprietors of the "Sydney Morning Herald" to become its editor; and after taking counsel with his people and brethren in the ministry he ultimately acceded, and undertook the duties of that office about twenty years ago and continued to discharge them until his death. But so much mental exertion of necessity re-acted prejudicially on his physical constitution, and for the last few years his health had given way. He suffered much from gout, which frequently confined him to his room for several days together; besides which there were other evidences of breaking up.

Mr West had often expressed a desire to revisit this island, and we know of no one who would have been more heartily welcomed. His gentleness, frankness, sincerity, and genial disposition secured for him universal esteem, even from those to whom he was politically opposed; while those who were brought into the closer bonds of personal friendship soon learnt to regard him with feelings of tenderest affection.

"Life's labor done, as sinks the clay,
Light from its load the spirit flies;
Whilst Heaven and earth combine to say -
How blest the righteous when he dies."