tution,
it gives back to the nation _far more_ than it receives in _material
wealth_, not to mention human lives at all.

Its receipts in 1868 from all sources were 31,668 pounds, and its
expenditure 31,585 pounds. The lives saved by its own boats last year
were 603, in addition to which other 259 were saved by shore boats, for
which the Institution rewarded the crews with thirteen medals, and money
to the extent of above 6573 pounds, for all services.

The Lifeboat Institution has a little sister, whom it would be unjust,
as well as ungracious, not to introduce in passing, namely, the
SHIPWRECKED MARINERS' SOCIETY. They do their blessed work hand in hand.
Their relative position may be simply stated thus:--The Lifeboat
Institution saves life. Having dragged the shipwrecked sailor from the
sea, its duty is done. It hands him over to the agent of the
Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, who takes him by the hand, sees him
housed, warmed, clad and fed, and sends him home rejoicing, free of
expense, and with a little cash in his pocket. Formerly, shipwrecked
sailors had to beg their way to their homes. At first they were
sympathised with and well treated. Thereupon uprose a host of
counterfeits. The land was overrun by shipwrecked-mariner-beggars, and
as people of the interior knew not which was which, poor shipwrecked
Jack often suffered because of these vile impostors. But now there is
not a port in the kingdom without its agent of the Society. Jack has,
therefore, no need to beg his way. "The world" knows this; the deceiver
knows it too, therefore his occupation is gone! Apart from its
benignant work, the mere fact that the "little sister" has swept such
vagrants off the land entitles her to a strong claim on our gratitude.
She, also, is supported by voluntary contributions.

Turning now to another branch of our subject, let us regard for a little
the boats of the Lifeboat Institution.

"What is a lifeboat? Wherein does it differ from other boats?" are
questions sometimes put. Let us attempt a brief reply.

A lifeboat--that is to say, the present lifeboat--differs from all other
boats in four particulars:--1. It is _almost_ indestructible. 2. It is
insubmergible. 3. It is self-righting. 4. It is self-emptying. In
other words, it can hardly be destroyed; it cannot be sunk; it rights
itself if upset; it empties itself if filled. Let us illustrate these
points in succession. Here is evidence on the firs