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ORN in London, Mr. Sterry commenced descriptive writing at the age of four; at eight, he wrote a story in a series of letters; at ten, fell down in worship before the genius of Charles Dickens; and shortly afterwards, having read a life of Nelson, vowed that he would become an admiral. Fortunately this fit did not last very long, and he returned to art, sketching, and writing, until, at the age of twenty-two, he made a serious start in life with an entertainment called, "Autumn Leaves from a Tourist's Note Book," writing his own lecture and lyrics, and being his own scene painter and musical composer. With this entertainment he travelled round the country, and was welcomed and successful wherever he showed his genial face. Among his countless contributions to Punch are "Lays of a Lazy Minstrel" and "Songs of the Street." The friends of Mr. Ashby Sterry are attached to him not only for his rare talents, but for an exceptional kindness of nature which imparts a peculiar sweetness to their personal intercourse and association with him.