Once again it becomes our painful duty to chronicle the death of a friend, an archer and an estimable citizen. After several years of failing health and strength, Dr. A. B. De Luna, ex-President of the New York Archery Club, and ex-President of the reorganized Easter Archery Association, passed from this world of care on the morning of March 2d, 1883.

His archery record is familiar to his friends and those who associated with him. He was the originator and main promoter of the pastime in this city. Becoming interested, he found that no archery club existed in this great city, although there were many persons here who had practiced archery for years, and belonged to clubs nearby, and with the same zest with which he enlisted in all his pursuits, he organized the New York Archery Club in the Fall of 1879 with a membership of eleven persons. From that time the club grew and prospered under his guidance. Reelected for the second year, he still carried it on until his successor was chosen, and then, by his advice and counsel, maintained the same spirit of ardor in all its members. None contributed more to local archery than he. In a like enthusiastic spirit he entered into the work of making the fourth annual tournament of the Eastern Association a success, which has been recorded in the Archery and Tennis News. Always ready to forego his own pleasure in shooting, which he loved dearly, he would attend to the comfort of others, seeing that all had the opportunity of enjoying themselves, and finding his reward in the pleasure of those around him.

Born in the Island of Cuba, he inherited a warm, genial, and sensitive nature; ever ready to respond to appeals for charity, his heart was always quick to sympathize with suffering. He was educated in Havana and Matanzas, and came to the United States in 1863. Adopting the profession of medicine, he took his degree, at the Bellevue Hospital College in 1869. He was an active member of several medical societies, including the County Medical Society and the New York Academy of Medicine, and occupied the position of Secretary to the Surgical Section of the latter society for several years. He was also attached, at one time, to the Board of Health, in the capacity of Inspector. He translated into Spanish, for Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., the work of Dr. Gaillard Thomas on Diseases of Women, and was assistant editor of La Chronica Medico Quirurgica, published in Havana. In July, 1881, in connection with his father, Juan B. De Luna, he began the publication of a Spanish illustrated monthly, entitled El Mentor Ilustrado, the publication of which is still continued. In December, 1882, he was employed by Messrs. William Wood & Co. to edit a monthly journal in the Spanish language, entitled El Repertorio Medico, but he only lived long enough to prepare two numbers for the press.

He devoted his whole energies to obtaining knowledge whereby his fellow men might be benefited. Loving his profession, he was constantly administering, both by his skill and gentle manners, to the good of suffering humanity. In the sick room his presence brought sunshine and hope, and his excellence as a nurse was only exceeded by his skill as a physician. We cannot speak too highly of his tenderness and solicitude. We have known him to devote constant attention to cases particularly serious, watching at the bed-side of the sick entire nights for weeks, taking rest only when actually necessary, and returning, when other duties were performed, to give his patients the benefit of that knowledge which would finally restore them to health. The poor often felt his power, and from them a good Samaritan has been taken; and not only they, but all with whom he came in contact, can say with little Joe of Dickens' creation: "He was good to me!"

He was truly a child of nature, and was never happier than when roaming the hills, breathing the pure air of heaven. He loved the sunshine and the green hills of the country, and, when, leaving the cares of professional duty, he would take that rest so necessary in some beautiful spot in the country, he seemed to realize that God had made the beauties around him for the benefit of mankind, for the more perfect administering to that life which was so essential, in order that it might administer to those to whom he devoted himself.

His was a model life; blessed with a good wife and two little daughters, he lived for others - not for himself. Entering upon his career when but nineteen, he obtained, few short years allotted to him, an honorable reputation of which he might well be proud. Of his ability, and his knowledge of the advanced science of medicine, his patients and the eminent physicians associated with him bear witness.

As a citizen he was in every respect a model one. He loves his oppressed native island. He loved his adopted, country. Had we been asked to point out an American in every sense of the word, we should have pointed to him and said, "There is an American." He has gone, and we shall never again see his familiar form or hear his step, but in our memory he will live; and as time softens the grief his taking away has caused, his memory will come back to us more hallowed and endeared as we recall his worth and true friendship. To his wife and children, and those of his relatives who will, even more intensely, feel the bereavement which has fallen upon them, we can give but little comfort. They, of all others, knew best his worth and love, and the consolation will remain with them that they can truly say, Well done, our beloved! Thy life was not spent in vain.

For ourselves, we have lost a dear and good friend. Many years of close companionship endeared him to our heart, and in the future, when we miss his company in our travels and everyday life, we shall recollect the many. occasions made memorable by his presence, and scenes brightened by his joyous spirit will be recalled with a more intense desire to have him with us again.

Now that he is gone, it remains our privilege to offer this affectionate tribute to his memory, and we feel that he who performed the last sad rites spoke wisely, and out o£ a deep knowledge of the human heart, when he said, "Death Sanctifies Friendship and Love."

J.W.A.