THE accompanying tabular statement clearly shows the important character of the services rendered by the life-boats of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

It will be seen that during the year (1862) which has just closed, 316 lives have been directly rescued by life-boats from a watery grave—that twenty-one vessels have been safely brought into port through the instrumentality of the life-boats—that the life-boats went off forty-three times, in reply to signals of distress from ships in danger, but which in the mean time had either escaped it, or had had their crews saved by other means—and that the life-boat crews had assembled on nine occasions in stormy weather, to be ready for emergencies expected to arise.

We feel assured that no one can peruse these accounts without experiencing a satisfaction which can better be felt than expressed.

Let any one think of the feelings of these three hundred and sixteen persons thus snatched, during stormy weather, from an apparently inevitable death by the lifeboats of the Institution. Although such services can only be properly appreciated by the persons themselves on whom such important benefit has been conferred in their hour of distress, yet they are always keenly and gratefully acknowledged by the wives and children or parents of the men saved, who would otherwise have become widows, orphans, or childless.

The acknowledgments of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION are due in an especial manner to those who have contributed to this large amount of human happiness, either directly by manning the life-boats, or indirectly by subscribing towards their establishment.

The accompanying life-boat illustration shows in a striking manner the perilous nature and the gratifying result of the lifeboat service.

It will be observed that rewards, amounting to 7301. Is.-ld., have been voted to the crews of the Institution's life-boats for their laudable services, as specified in the annexed statement.

We also refer with great pleasure to the accompanying account of the services rendered by shore-boats, and other means, in saving life from wrecks on our shores during the preceding year.

Some of these services have been of the noblest character; for it should be borne in mind that men engaged during gales of wind in this dangerous work undergo greater risk in open boats than is usually incurred in lifeboats, which are well adapted for the important work which they have to perform, and which are fully equipped, including excellent life-belts for their crews.

Although fully acknowledging the valuable services of the crews of the Society's lifeboats, the Committee of the NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION proportion their rewards for saving life from shipwreck according to the risk incurred ; hence it will be seen that the rewards granted to shore-boat crews are frequently in excess, per man, of those voted by the Committee to the crews of the Institution's life-boats.

These rewards continue most materially to stimulate our coast population to make the greatest exertions to save life from shipwreck.

The men feel now assured that their services •will not go unrequited; and also that, in the event of a calamity overtaking them, their widows and orphans will not be forgotten by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, in conjunction with the benevolent public, which is ever ready to succour cases of real distress.

One of the earliest and most fundamental principles of the Institution was to foster and encourage these heroic enterprises, because fishermen's boats are always handy, and are often found available in localities where it would be impracticable to plant a life-boat.

Accordingly the Society has, since its first establishment by its life-boats and its system of rewards, materially contributed to the saving of nearly Thirteen thousand shipwrecked persons.

From the summary at the foot of the tabular statement of the services of life-boats and shore-boats, it will be seen that Five hundred and twenty-nine lives have been rescued during the past year from wrecks on our coasts, and that for these joint services 9381. 11s. "id. have been granted by the Institution, in addition to thirteen silver medals, and fourteen other honorary rewards.

In connection with the rewards of the Society, it is a very gratifying feature to find that they are frequently so highly appreciated, that meetings are convened to present them publicly to the gallant men.— An account of such a presentation has just reached us, and we copy the same from a local newspaper :— A public meeting was held on the 18th Nov., at Campbelton, Kantyre, to present a beautiful silver medal, which had been voted by the NATIONAL LITE-BOAT INSTITUTION, to JAMES McMiLLAN, a mechanic, upwards of seventy years of age, in testimony of his general services in saving life from wrecks, and particularly for his gallant exertions in rushing into the surf and rescuing, at the imminent peril of his life, WILLIAM FORDYCE, belonging to the ship Genova, of London, which was wrecked, during a heavy gale of wind, in Glenmanuilt Bay, Kantyre, N.B., on the 13th Oct. last.

The chair was occupied by J. L. STEWART, Esq., who was supported by some of the principal residents of the district. The chairman said that the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, which they represented on that occasion, was one of the noblest societies to which England had given birth. Its object was the saving of human life from the fury of the devouring waves. "Few of us" (continued Mr. STEWART) " are acquainted with the horrors of that situation where man, in his weakness, is left to contend with the elements in their fury.

May it never be the lot of any of us to know them! Yet it is to be hoped that all of us will be ever ready, as you were, to risk even our lives to help shipwrecked mariners, and rescue them from a watery grave. I have much pleasure in coining here to-day, as President of this branch of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION ; but the pleasure is much increased by the fact that your father who lived upon my father's property and mine, was known as a strong and a brave mam He never lifted his arm in his own cause; but many a time he has raised it with effect for the help of others, and especially for the weak. In words, which I feel justified in using, I may say— ' Although his arm was strong to smite, 'Twas also strong to save/ You, JAMES, his son, have inherited from him this disposition to succour the weak and helpless, and to risk your own life for the preservation of others.

This is not the first time you have done so. You saw this man clinging feebly to a rock, and, having lost his hold of it, he was certain to have been swept off by the returning surge ; and while other and younger men were standing round, you rushed into the foaming waves, and by your strong arm and noble courage—God helping you, as He favours the brave—you brought him safe to land. It is a pleasure to meet with a brave man, and to address him as I now do you; and it must be no small satisfaction to you that he whom you rescued from death was likewise a brave man. Half way across the Atlantic the vessel in which FORDYCE sailed as mate fell in with the Genova, of London, waterlogged, and deserted by the captain and crew.

With four other men FORDYCE volunteered to take charge of the Genova, and bring her into port.

They encountered severe weather, lost their sails and tackling; and yet, notwithstanding all the difficulties he had to contend with, he all but accomplished his purpose. By this brave act of yours you have added to the value of your own life. A life thus preserved will, I doubt not, be guided by the same principles of self-sacrifice and courage which have animated yours. JAMES, to you, who must feel how great a thing it was to save a brother's life from the dangers and horrors of that night, I need say nothing more. Take this parchment, on which the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has recorded its high appreciation of your acts. Mr. WATSON, Lloyd's agent, will attach the medal to your breast; and long after your sons shall have returned from laying you in the grave, your medal will remind them of what you were, and stimulate them and their sons to acts of mercy, courage, and daring." Mr. McMILLAN returned thanks for the gifts he had received and the honours that had been done him, and said—" Although I am now getting an old man, yet if another wreck should occur, I hope I may still have strength to be of some use to my fellow-creatures." The medal, which was handed round among those present, was very much admired, the portrait of her Majesty being most perfect on it; and they all expressed their sense of the gratifying manner in which the Institution had recognised Mr. McMiLLAN's exertions.