THE work of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION is indubitably not a, romance, but one of hard practical fact. The Institution has nought to do with " Dreamland," but its mission is, from our rugged and storm-beaten shores, to extend a helping hand to those in peril from the sea.

Of so practical a character is this work, that it may appear incongruous to some that the voice of music or of song should find utterance through our columns. Nor indeed have we often opened them to the same, being too much engaged in the " matter-of fact " to even call in the aid of the " ideal." Yet how powerful an incentive to great, substantial, practical acts, have in all times been the sweet, charmed voices of music and of song! How often have the most rugged and ordinarily unimpressible natures been wound up to acts of heroism and selfdenial by their all-powerful influence; and how often has even the heart of the ordinarily selfish expanded into benevolence under the genial warmth of their melting strains ! We could not, therefore, if we would, despise the practical result of their proffered aid, even if we were to shut our ears to their bewitching sounds, and we therefore, readily and gratefully, now and then, as in this instance, avail ourselves of their generous help.—ED.] The following words have been set to music, and one object of the Author, by its publication, is to raise such a sum as will establish a new life-boat and transportingcarriage on some dangerous part of the coast.

Another object is to make substantial contributions to two other institutions connected with seafaring men and their families, —viz., "The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society," and "The Sailors' Orphan Girls' School and Home," at Hampstead.

To accomplish these objects great exertions must be made in many quarters ; and the appeal for help through this channel will, it is hoped, find a kind and generous response from those who feel interested in supporting and extending these means for saving the lives of men—lives valuable to their country, their kindred, and their homes.

Although the first and direct object of the ROVAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION is to save life, yet another good effect arising from its exertions is, that it fosters the courage, the daring, and the good feeling of our coast population, by its system of rewards for effective services in times of danger. The bold and hardy men inhabiting our coasts are deserving of all consideration and of all praise for the readiness with which they undertake services from which any other class of men would shrink.

When skies are all beauty, and storms are reposing, The sail of the Homeward just heaving in sight; We gaze with delight on the broad crest of Ocean, Now soothed into calmness all placid and bright.

But see in yon cloud, as it slowly emerges, Forebodings of evil, of perils, and storms; The scream of the petrel, the roar of the surges, Are tokens of danger the seaman ne'er scorns.

The tempest now raging, with fury and madness, Bereaving the seaman of power o'er the wave; How gladly he hails, in his moments of sadness, The Life-boat to save him from Ocean's dark gravel 'Tis sweet to behold, when the billows are sleeping, Some gay-colour'd bark moving gracefully by; No damp on her deck but the eventide's weeping, No breath in her sails but the summer wind's sigh.

But who would not turn, with a fouder emotion, To gaze on the Life-boat, though rugged and worn, Which often hath wafted o'er hills of the Ocean, The lost light of hope to the seaman forlorn ? Oh, grant that of those who in life's sunny slumbers, Around us like summer barks idly have play'd, When storms are abroad, we may find in the number, One friend like the Life-boat to come to our aid! If these publications afford any gratification amid the quietness and comfort of home, which it is hoped they will, and at the same time provide some help for those living on the dangerous deep, the labours of the author will not have been in vain.

We may add that copies may be had at the offices of the several institutions in London, and at their auxiliary branches throughout the United Kingdom.

Price of the Song, Two shillings; the Duet, Three shillings.