MOST of our readers are already aware that the title of the above Society has been recently altered to that of the " ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION—founded in 1824 for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck;" they may not, however, be acquainted with the causes that have led to the change. It therefore becomes necessary that we should explain the reasons which have induced the Committee of so old-established a Society, to forego the prestige with which time and usage invest all things, and, after a career of thirty years under the title with which it first sprang into existence, to recommend to its subscribers that the Institution should hereafter appear before the public under a new name.

One of two conclusions may very naturally be arrived at on such an occasion, by those who are unacquainted with the circumstances ; either that the Institution had not satisfactorily fulfilled its mission under its original title, or else, that from causes which time and circumstances had brought about, it had become inconvenient and inappropriate.

We trust to be able to show that the latter conclusion would be the correct one, and that, whilst the Society at the time of the change being recommended was in full and vigorous existence, and every day extending the sphere of its usefulness, yet that the more precise definition of its office, as contained in its new title, was likely to still further aid its progress, and to enlighten the public, whose support it solicits, as to its real character and avocation.

As has been recorded elsewhere in this Journal, the Institution was founded in the year 1824, chiefly by the exertions and under the auspices of the late Sir WILLIAM HILLARY, Bart., the late THOMAS WILSON, Esq., then M.P. for the city of London, and other benevolent gentlemen, some of whose coadjutors have continued to this day to be working members of its Committee of Management, and to afford it the benefit of their knowledge and experience.

The original objects of the Institution may be shortly stated to have been—To rescue wrecked persons from drowning on the coasts of the United Kingdom by every available means, both direct and indirect.

Directly so, by providing, on various parts of the coast, life-boats, and the life-preserving apparatus; and indirectly, .by affording encouragement to others, in the shape of pecuniary remuneration and honorary rewards,1 on occasions of their saving life. These objects have, from the time of its first foundation to the present moment, been quietly and unostentatiously carried out by the Society; although, through a considerable portion of that period, it has not been so generally known or so well supported by the public as it deserved to be.

Until the year 1851, the Institution was the only body in this country having the above objects in view, and at the same time, whose sphere of action extended over the whole of the coasts of the United Kingdom.

Several county, and other local associations existed, by which the majority of the lifeboats around the coasts were provided; but the field of usefulness of each was limited to its own immediate neighbourhood.

In the above-named year, however, another national and sister institution came into the field — The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society,—whose invaluable 'services in providing for the shipwrecked seaman, (already saved), and releasing him from the shame and ignominy of begging his bread, cannot be too highly appreciated, or too liberally supported. That Society had hitherto confined itself to the objects for which it had been formed, as its work only commenced where that of this Institution ended. The office of the one was to rescue the mariner from an untimely end—that of the other.to clothe, feed, and house him, and to convey him without charge to his home, or the port of his adoption.

in the year 1851, however, that Society, which in the pursuit of its avocation had but too evident proof forced on it, of the lamentable deficiency of all existing means for saving life from shipwreck, determined to enter upon that work also, little doubting that amongst its numerous supporters, it would obtain sufficient aid to enable it to accomplish the object it had in view. The Society accordingly appealed for funds for that purpose, and for bestowing pecuniary remuneration and honorary rewards for services rendered in saving life. Steps were then, immediately taken to commence the good work; and before the expiration of the following year, the Society found itself in possession of seven or eight new lifeboats, with their necessary gear, with houses to shelter them, and, where necessary, with carriages for their conveyance on the shore; and moreover, with local Committees for their management, and an average annual local income of 20L at each station for their maintenance.

Nothing at first sight could be more satisfactory and encouraging than this result.

Here was a good work, which was much needed, quickly done. In a short time, however, an evil became apparent; there were now two Societies before the public, each having the same objects in view, and the titles of which were so similar, that the one was frequently mistaken for the other, and it appeared probable that many persons, being doubtful which Society was most deserving of support, might withhold their subscriptions to the cause altogether. The National Shipwreck Institution, of which the Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND had recently accepted the office of President, was with renewed vigour carrying on its work, stationing new life-boats and replacing old ones; and. It accordingly became a question whether it might not be expedient that the before-named Society should confine itself to its original objects, to effect which there was an ample field for its utmost exertions; and that it should transfer its life-boat establishments to the National Shipwreck Institution, the real question being, not whether a good work should be discontinued, but whether it might not be better performed in one mode, rather than in another.

Negotiations accordingly passed between the two Societies in the autumn of 1853, the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Society liberally offering to hand over its life-boat establishments, with all the funds especially raised for their support, to the National Shipwreck Institution; requiring, as an equivalent for them, that the latter Institution should so alter its title, as to remove all similarity between the two, and to prevent any confusion existing in the public mind respecting them. The negotiation which then took place between the two Societies was broken off for a time, in consequence of the unwillingness of the older Society, which had existed since 1824, to give up the prestige attached to, and the associations connected with, its original title. Since that period, however, the position of affairs has materially changed.

As our readers have been made aware by the new Merchant Shipping Act, the Board of Trade, by that Act, received authority to assist in placing and maintaining life- .boats, and generally in the cause of " preservation of life from shipwreck." The Board thereupon signified: 1st. Its intention to make its assistance proportional to private and local exertions, having due reference to the several local capabilities, and thus to encourage the flow of private benevolence and enterprise into the same channel, rather than to supplant it. 2nd. Its desire, in its communications with localities on the coast, to act through one central agency in London, rather than through two agencies; which central agency would be one of the Societies already established.

Thus an additional motive became evident for the absorption of the whole work into the hands of one body.

From this explanation, it will be seen that reasons for a change of title, which should more explicitly define the objects of the Institution, had become much more evident, whilst the present moment appeared the most favourable one for making such change. The Committee of Management, therefore, opened anew the negotiation with the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Society, which, as before described, had been broken off last year; and the result has been, that the title of the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, has been altered to that of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION —founded in 1824 for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, and that the other Society has liberally, without any other requirement than the change of name, handed over to it the whole of its life-boat establishments and life-boat funds.

In conclusion, we will merely record our opinion, that the two Societies, each in their own sphere, are of national importance, and alike entitled to the confidence and support of the public; and that we most heartily trust and pray that, with the Almighty's blessing on their labours, they may each long survive, actively and prosperously doing their own work, and mutually recommending and assisting each other as workers together in two separate branches of one good cause —the welfare of the seamen and sea-borne passengers of this great maritime country.