THE following interesting communication has been transmitted to the NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION, and is a gratifying evidence of the social kindness of heart that is so frequently found among our British workmen: — " Orwell Works, Ipswich, May 31, 1860.

" To Messrs. RANSOMES & SIMS.

" GENTLEMEN, " We respectfully request you to hand over to the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION the sum of Twenty Guineas, collected from the clerks, foremen, and men of these works, and their friends. We desire to express our sympathy with those who have exerted themselves on behalf of this noble Institution. The affecting statement contained in the Institution's Report, that 1,646 persons perished on our coast during the last year, a considerable proportion of whom might have been saved had the means which this Institution provides been at hand,—the number of widows and orphans left destitute,—and the fact that the Institution has incurred liabilities to the amount of 3,834/., constitute a claim (which cannot be waived) on the benevolence of the general public.

We do not therefore place any emphasis on the amount we contribute, there being several urgent cases of local charity which claim our support, and prevent us from doing more; but we wish our example may be placed before our fellow-workmen of the United Kingdom by their principals; feeling assured that the appeal of the Institution might thereby awaken a response so general and so hearty as to relieve it from present liabilities, and enable it to extend its humane operations. We ought to reflect, that as no one can be exempt from the common laws of humanity, so no one can claim exemption from a common duty to those who spend their lives at sea for the common good.

Without a mercantile navy there could be neither import nor export trade, on which depends so much of the employment of labour: and if not left destitute of the bare necessities of life, we should be without many of the comforts and articles of every-day consumption. Neither tea, sugar, nor coffee can be had till some have perilled their lives on the mighty deep to procure them. We believe, therefore, that if the claims of this truly excellent Institution were taken up by the principals of similar establishments throughout the kingdom, in the same spirit which we are happy to recognize in you, the result would be such as we should all truly rejoice at.

" We remain, Gentlemen, &c.

(On behalf of the Clerks, Foremen, and Workmen of this establishment), ARTHUR THOMAS COLE (Manager of Commercial Offices), WM. BALK (Engineering Manager's Assistant), THOMAS MARSHALL (Superintendent of Stores),HowARTH FARRAH (Foreign Correspondent), W. WOHBY (General Manager), W. BATEMAN BYSG (Cashier), JAMES SEWELL (Senior Clerk).".