THE Danish Life-saving service is con- centrated in one department under the Government, and not as in this country, divided between the Government and the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, a charitable society incorporated by Royal Charter, and entirely supported by volun- tary contributions. With us, the Eocket Apparatus, which renders such valuable service every year, is under the control of the Government, and practically speaking, the task of rendering aid to those in danger from shipwreck by Life-boats and shore-boats, is entrusted to the Life-boat Institution. This may be thought by some to be too strong an assertion, but it is not so, for the Institution annually devotes very considerable sums to rewarding efforts to save life by shore-boats, &c., in- cluding some of the thirty-two private Life-boats on our coasts, which are un- connected with it. This division of the work might appear at first sight a less desir- able arrangement than for the whole to be under one head as in Denmark; but prac- tice does not show that the least inconve- nience arises from the dual arrangement, the only requirement being a hearty and cordial co-operation between the two in carrying out the work; this satisfactory state of affairs we are happy to acknow- ledge exists, and cannot but be streng- thened, we trust, by every occasion of combined service that may occur.

Indeed, we hold that difference of nationality, organization, and government cannot, in such a work, weaken the bonds of sympathy and accord that entitle us to welcome all engaged in it as our comrades and brothers in arms. If this is true, any notes on foreign life-saving services must be interesting to all with any feelings of sympathy for this great work; more par- ticularly such as those connected with such a gallant little nation as Denmark, with whom we have such intimate rela- tions, and so many points in common.

The recent gratifying visit we received from Herr ANDEKSEN, the Inspector of the Danish service, for the purpose of seeing how we work is a fair testimony to the reciprocity of feeling that exists.

We learnt from him that during the thirty years the Danish Service has been in existence, fourteen lives have been sacri- ficed on service and eight on exercise.

It is impossible here to touch upon the controversy as to the respective merits of self-righting and non-self- righting boats; but we trust our gallant friends, whose country un- doubtedly produces as good seamen as can be found anywhere, will not be offended at our expressing a regret that they have not adopted the former prin- ciple more largely. They have at present only two self-righting boats, and Herr Andersen (in addition to the usual argu- ments in favour of the non-self-righting

boats) explained to us that the sands on many parts of their coast being very soft, it is necessary that their boats should be as light as possible.

The general dimensions of the Danish Life-boats are 30 feet by 8 feet, with a 6-inch fender or wale, air-cases for extra flotation and means for freeing them- selves of water. They pull ten oars, and draw about 1 foot of water, weighing 34 cwt. Judging from their dimensions, and the drawings which have been kindly sent us, the boats are doubtless good and serviceable, and in the hands of the able descendants of the " Vikings," will con- tinue to do valuable and important services worthy of their ancient fame.

In Denmark, there are forty-nine Life- saving stations, of which forty-two are in Jutland—six on the Island of Borholm, and one in Moen. More than one-half of these are supplied with Life-boats and Eocket Apparatus. Of the remainder, about one-fourth ate Life-boat stations and three-fourths Eocket stations only.

The service appears to have been first established about the same time as this Institution commenced that remarkable expansion which has resulted in its pre- sent development and position, viz., in 1850, and has, by means of its Life-boats and Eocket Apparatus, saved 4,246 lives.

During the past year 123 vessels went ashore on the coasts of Denmark, of which 67 became total wrecks, and 56 were got off again. From 82 of these vessels 143 lives were rescued by the service alone, viz., 88 by Life-boats, and 55 by the j Eocket Apparatus; and 368 persons were saved by their own boats, or by help from the shore, 28 lives being lost.

As with ourselves, these great services have not been rendered with impunity, 14 Life-boatmen having lost their valuable lives in their gallant endeavours to save others.

We as fellow-workers in the same good work, cannot conclude without wishing the Danish Life-saving Service every suc- cess, and a hearty " God speed.".