THE remarks contained in the following opportune communication from the Rev. J. Scarth, are deserving of every consideration, notwithstanding that they only repeat the oft-told tale in regard to the dreadful loss of life at sea.

We remember vividly the exertions of the late Mr. George Palmer, M.P. for South Essex, and Deputy-Chairman of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, in unceasingly directing public attention to the same important subject.

Long before Mr. Plimsoll had made himself famous in his humane efforts, the exertions in Parliament of Mr. Palmer— who himself was an old sailor—on behalf of Shipwrecked Seamen were untiring.

Only those, however, who are acquainted with the frightful loss of life at sea, at- tended with distressing circumstances, and the great destruction of property that constantly occurred, owing to timber ships being allowed to carry deck loads, can fully realize and appreciate his unceasing and ultimately successful endeavours in obtaining legislative enactments in the years 1832, 1840,1842, and 1845, which prohibited timber-laden vessels from carrying deck loads.

Mr. Palmer once related to us an anecdote of the celebrated Mr. Daniel O'Connell, M.P., in connection with this good work. Mr. O'Connell stated to him in the House of Commons that he was in the habit of deriving a considerable income—between 8001. and 900Z. a year— from the profits of the wrecks of timber ships on the shores of his estates in County Kerry. Nevertheless, he said, he should have much satisfaction in giving to Mr. Palmer's bill his best support, knowing, as he did, its absolute necessity.

This voluntary support on the part of the Liberator was the more honourable as Mr. Palmer was opposed to him on most political questions.

As the outcome of all these efforts it is now satisfactory to know that the number of these dreadful disasters at sea is cer- tainly lessening; and we venture to hope, on account of recent legislation, and the improved state of the education of our sea- men, that a better and a more wholesome state of things will ultimately prevail.

Again, the functions of the present tribunal which has to investigate shipping disasters at sea has, by a recent Act of Parliament, been considerably strengthened.

In addition to the Wreck Commissioner or Magistrate who presides, and to assessors taken from the Royal Navy, there will be an assessor taken from the Merchant Service; and a certificated engineer is to be a member of the Court when an engineer is on his trial.

The assessors, moreover, are to be chosen with greater care than heretofore, as men who have had experience in sailing-vessels are to be selected when the inquiry relates to a sailing-ship, and men who have had experience in steamers when the inquiry relates to a vessel of that class. Thus the new Court will certainly be stronger than the old one, and it is well that it should be so, for investigations respecting shipping disasters are now often of very high importance, presided over as they are by a Commissioner of the learning and impartiality of Mr. Eothery.