THE Annual Meeting of this Society was held on the 25th May last, at Willis's Rooms, under the chairmanship of his Grace the Duke of MARLBOROUGH, President of the Society. There were also present a large number of the friends and supporters of the Society.

The CHAIRMAN said that the subscribers of the Society numbered upwards of 60,000, of whom 46,000 were seamen; and its revenue amounted to 13,5001. Those who had been rescued from the horrors of shipwreck by the Life-boats of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, or other means, were relieved in their destitution, and, if necessary, clothed. These acts of mercy were extended to foreigners as well as to our own countrymen.

Medals were given by the Society for saving life on the high seas and in the Colonies. The coasting- trade of this country was one of its most vital conditions, and an institution which aided in the welfare of that trade deserved the highest consideration at the hands of the country.

The SECRETARY read the Report, which stated that during the last year, by means of 500 agents spread over the coast of the United Kingdom, in conjunction with the central office in London, 6,792 shipwrecked persons had been relieved; and 3,562 widows, orphans, and aged parents of mariners had received benefits, making in all a total of 10,354 persons who had experienced the help of the Society. The income was 13,503/.; but an excess of expenditure to the amount of 2,5101. 10s. 6d.

had been caused by the great demands arising from severe distress among the shipping. It was stated that the Committee intended to go on with their scheme for establishing a Pension Fund and an Hospital for worn-out Merchant Seamen, supported by their own payments and any aid that the public might supply.

Admiral Sir GEORGE SEYMOUR briefly moved the adoption of the Report, and expressed a warm interest in the objects of the Society.

The Earl of SHREWSBURY AND TALBOT seconded the Motion, and said that it was difficult to say whether this or the NATIONAL £H?E-BOAT ASSOCIATION conferred most blessings on this maritime country, or had greater claims to public gratitude and support. He was very desirous to see the plan of an Hospital and Pension Fund in connexion with this Society carried out. They had a noble institution —Greenwich Hospital—for the Royal Navy, but none for the class from which the navy was made. (Hear, hear.) The Motion was put and carried unanimously.

The Rev. Mr. OWEN spoke on the question of the proposed Hospital, and moved a resolution expressive of the concurrence of the Meeting in the views of the* Committee. The greatness of this nation was a naval greatness. The mercantile marine was a recruiting yard for the Royal Navy; and it might be considered that the distance from which the Londoners had to send for coals to cook their dinners and to cheer their hearths was one great cause of our supremacy on the seas.

The Hon. Captain MAUDE, R.N., seconded the Resolution, which was carried unanimously.

The Rev. Mr. BATHES and other speakers addressed the Meeting, and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, who acknowledged the compliment in a speech in which he eloquently summed up the preceding arguments in support of the aims with which the Meeting had come together.