IN the early part of March next, it is intended to hold a Public Dinner, in the City, in aid of the funds of the above Institution, and for the purpose of bringing the Society and its objects prominently before the country. His Grace the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G., President of the Institution, is expected to be in the Chair.

The Committee feel that they cannot be too grateful for the increased pecuniary support which they have received during the past year, in the van of which stand forth two munificent donations; the one on the part of Her Majesty of 100/.—the other of the Corporation of the City of London, of 2101 Whilst however, the amount added to its funds during that period hasbeenmuch greater than the average of former years, the Committee have incurred a still larger expenditure, in forming new life-boat stations where most required, and replacing some of their older life-boats with others of the most improved description.

They need scarcely acquaint the public, what an almost unlimited field of usefulness lies stretched out before them, in a great commercial, sea-girt country like our own, whose coasts are yearly strewed with so large a number of wrecks, and the cultivation of which can only be effected by voluntary charitable associations; since scarcely any provision is made for doing so by the Government of the country.

Deeply impressed with this fact, the Committee feel that no kind of efforts should be omitted on their part to obtain that substantial aid which can alone enable them meet the constantly increasing demand that is made on the funds of the Institution.

They trust, therefore, that on the coming occasion they may reckon amongst their supporters not only a large proportion of the old and tried friends of the Institution, but a numerous assemblage of others, who may not have been previously aware of the importance of its character, or the extent of its sphere of action, embracing the whole sea-board of the British Islands.

The objects of the Society may be thus briefly stated:-— 1. To confer honorary rewards in the form of medals and votes of thanks, and also to grant pecuniary remuneration to all persons who, at the risk of their own lives, save, or attempt to save, those of others on board vessels wrecked, or in distress, upon any part of the coast of the United Kingdom . The honorary rewards being extended, striking cases, to similar services in other parts of the world.

2. To build, station, and maintain in repair, life-boats of the most perfect description ; to furnish them with all necessary appurtenances, including houses to preserve them in, and carriages for their conveyance to the spots where their services are called for; and further, to provide, through the instrumentality of Local Committees, for their proper management, and the occasional exercise of their crews.

3. To furnish and station at suitable places the rocket-apparatus, for effecting communication with stranded vessels.

As an index of the necessity for the provision of such a machinery as the above, we may state—that the average loss of lives from shipwreck on the shores of the United Kingdom is between 600 and 700 per annum, and that in the year 1852 it amounted to 920.