To THE EDITOR OF THE LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL.

SIR,—Many years ago, in India, I was walking home from mess on a darkish, night; I was dressed in uniform, and had on boots, spurs, and straps. As I passed a good sized tank, or artificial pond for storing the rainfall, I heard the struggles and gurgles of a drowning man. Dressed as I was, I felt that I should be at a great disadvantage as a swimmer, so I rushed to a cart which stood at the side of the road to fetch a rope I saw attached to it that I might throw the end of it to the drowning man. In less than a minute I was back at the edge of the tank, and there I learnt a lesson as to how a man should be saved by a swimmer.

Fortunately for the drowning man, a native with a long staff in his hand happened to be walking by about the same time as myself, but owing to the darkness I had not seen him. With his staff he was master of the situation in a moment. He jumped into the water and swam, towards the man, with one end of his staff directed in front of him ; the drowning man seized it with proverbial eagerness the instant it was within his reach, the other, swimming with Ms body nearly perpendicular and making very little way, it is true, gradu- ally towed him ashore.

The swimmer was too wise to trust himself within the drowning man's reach; he kept Mm off at the length of Ms staff, and was thus in a position to prevent any closer approach.

The lesson to be learnt, as I read it, is : if you have to jump into the water to save a man, take a stick with you, the longer the better; if you have not one, get a plank, an oar, a broom, a long bit of wood in short; you will find it materially assist you in both saving another man's life and in preserving your own.

I am, &c., HENRY H. MAXWELL, Lieut.-General, E.A.