nd pounds, and legacies
ranging from ten to a thousand pounds. The largest legacy that seems
ever to have been bequeathed to the Institution was that of 10,000
pounds, left in 1856 by Captain Hamilton Fitzgerald, R.N., one of the
vice-presidents of the Society.

The mere mention of such sums may induce some to imagine that the
coffers of the Institution are in a very flourishing state. This would
indeed be the case if the Society had reached its culminating point--if
everything were done that can be done for the preservation of life from
shipwreck; but this is by no means the case. It must be borne in mind
that the Institution is national. The entire coasts of the United
Kingdom are its field of operations, and the drain upon its resources is
apparently quite equal to its income. Its chief means of support are
voluntary contributions.

Since the Society was instituted, in 1824, to the present time, it has
been the means of saving 13,570 lives!--many, if not most, of these
being lives of the utmost consequence to the commerce and defence of the
country. During the same period, it has granted 82 gold medals, 736
silver medals, and 17,830 pounds in cash; besides expending 82,550
pounds on boats, carriages, and boat-houses.

Considering, then, the magnitude and unavoidable costliness of the
operations of this Institution, it is evident that a large annual income
is indispensable, if it is to continue its noble career efficiently.

Closely allied to this is another society which merits brief notice
here. It is the "Shipwrecked Fishermen's and Mariners' Royal Benevolent
Society." Originally this Society, which was instituted in 1839,
maintained lifeboats on various parts of the coast. It eventually,
however, made these over to the Lifeboat Institution, and confined
itself to its own special and truly philanthropic work, which is--

To board, lodge, and convey to their homes, all destitute, shipwrecked
persons, to whatever country they may belong, through the
instrumentality of its agents. To afford temporary assistance to the
widows, parents, and children of all mariners and fishermen who may have
been drowned, and who were members of the Society; and to give a
gratuity to mariners and fishermen, who are members, for the loss or
damage of their clothes or boats. Membership is obtained by an annual
subscription of three shillings.

Assuredly every mariner and fisherman in the kingdom ought to be a
member of t