It is our melancholy duty, in our obituary of today, to record the death of this gentleman, editor and proprietor of the "Belfast Gazette." Mr. Osborne expired on Saturday evening, the 28th May 1853, after a long and lingering illness. His end had been anticipated, and for some time increasing debility had compelled him almost entirely to withdraw from the active duties of his station.

The funeral took place on the 31st May 1853, and on that day the shops in the town were closed, and all who were able to do so assembled, including many from the neighboring town of Warrnambool, to render the last mournful tribute of respect to one who had so long and so well sustained an important and prominent position amongst them.

The deceased being a member of the Oddfellows' Society, the brethren of the order, to the number of about seventy, invested with their respective insignia, preceded the body to the old Burying Ground, where it was deposited in the same grave in which, a few years previously, he himself had witnessed the interment of a beloved daughter. The service over the grave was conducted by the Rev. Thomas Craig, the Presbyterian minister of Belfast, and the ceremony concluded with the usual formula of the brethren being read over the grave.

Mr. Osborne had for sixteen years been connected with the Victorian press, and upwards of thirteen had filled the post of editor of the "Gazette," originally at Portland Bay, and latterly at Belfast, Port Fairy; he was thus, we believe, the oldest editor in the colony. At the time of the separation of Port Phillip from New South Wales, Mr. Osborne was returned to the Legislative Council as representative of the united towns of Belfast and Warrnambool, which office he filled one session only, increasing infirmity rendering him inadequate to the discharge of its duties.

Of his powers as a writer and a journalist, it is not our province, nor is it necessary, to offer any opinion: the "Gazette" is his monument and testimonial. As a politician, if he, no more than others of that class, succeeded in giving satisfaction to, or eliciting approbation from all, yet none, even amongst those whose opinions differed widely from his, can deny him, through his long career, the merit of unsullied integrity; of being the fearless and uncompromising denouncer, to the sacrifice of every other consideration, of whatever in his judgment was an abuse either in public men or private measures; or of the most devoted consecration of all his powers and energies to the interest and welfare of the town and district in which he dwelt. For this his long residence amongst, and intimate acquaintance with the people and peculiarities, eminently fitted him; and none knew better than he what was necessary for their prosperity, or was more prompt to point it out and lend it the impulse of his pen.

To Belfast and the western district his will be a loss not easily supplied, as, take him for all in all, it may be long before, in public life, they look upon his like again. - "Belfast Gazette."