THE following letter has been addressed to some of the Metropolitan Daily and Weekly Papers, on behalf of an object which is de- serving of every support from the Citizens of London:— " Sir,—I am directed by the Committee of the National Life-boat Institution, to re- quest the insertion in your Journal of the following appeal to the inhabitants of this metropolis, in furtherance of an object which the Committee believe has strong and pecu- liar claims on their sympathy and support.

" That object is, the providing their own Port, the great centre of the World's Com- merce, with means for rescuing from death those who may be shipwrecked on their approach to it. 'The chief of the dangers to which our vast foreign trade are exposed in making the Port of London are the Goodwin Sands, those fatal shoals which, lying in the great highway of trade, near the entrance of the Thames, have for ages been the dread of the mariner, and which have swallowed up more of the nation's wealth, and destroyed more human lives, than any other of the many dangerous reefs and shoals of our coasts. The life-boats of the Insti- tution being now brought to a state of great perfection, and an efficient system being es- tablished for their management, the Com- mittee believe that, with the generous pecuniary aid of the inhabitants of London and the co-operation of the skilful and hardy boatmen of Deal, they may be enabled to found an establishment for rescuing lives from shipwreck on the Goodwin Sands, which shall be of that efficient and ample character which will be worthy of this great City, standing as it docs at the head of commerce, civilization, human progress, and philanthropy.

" It is proposed for the present to station one large life-boat on Walmer Beach, at the south end of Deal, which—including the ex- pense of a transporting-carriage, a suitable boat-house, and a perfect equipment of all necessary gear—will cost about 4001. Should the response to this appeal enable the Com- mittee to do so, a second large boat may also be placed on the north end of Deal Beach.

The National Life-boat Institution has, since its first foundation in 1824, been largely indebted to the inhabitants of London for their liberal support towards its general ob-jects. The Committee however now, for the first time, solicit their aid to the especial supply of the means for saving lives from shipwreck off their own port, and they do so with every confidence that their appeal will be generously responded to.

" I am, &c., " RICHARD LEWIS, " Secretary to the Royal National " Life-Boat Institution.

" 14, John-street, Adelphi, June 14, 1856.".