IT will be in the memory of our readers that the Committee of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION issued a special appeal last year for funds and increased permanent support. They pointed out that, while each year the efficiency of the service increased and new stations were established, the income at the disposal of the Committee did not keep pace with its absolute needs, and that the expenditure as a result was in excess of the receipts.

Friends in many parts of the country generously came to the rescue, but Lanca- shire and Yorkshire took the lead in giving a helping hand and still do so.

We' trust, however, that other wealthy centres in the United Kingdom will copy the example so well set them in the North, and in drawing special attention to our Lancashire and Yorkshire workers we hope to stir up the spirit of emulation.

The ball was set rolling at Manchester, in Lancashire, and at Leeds, in Yorkshire.

At Manchester and Salford upwards of 5,OOOZ. was raised by the inauguration of a Life-Boat Saturday Fund under the auspices of an influential committee, presided over by Mr. CHARLES W. MACARA, well known for his energy and indomit- able perseverance in carrying through any work he takes in hand; while at Leeds Mr. H. J. PALMEB, the genial editor of the Yorkshire Post, by throwing open the columns of his paper for contributions for the cause and strenuously advocating its claims netted more than 3,OOOZ. The branches of the Institution at Barrow, Bolton, Bradford, Dewsbury, Fleetwood, Filey, Halifax, Huddersfleld, Keithley, Lan- caster, Leeds, Liverpool and New Brighton, Lytham, Middlesbro', Oldham, Preston, Redcar, Robin Hood's Bay, Rochdale, Runs- wick, St. Anne's, Saltburn, Scarborough, Southport, Staithes, Stockport, Wakefleld, Whitby, Withernsea and York followed suit, with the result that in the two counties something like 20,OOOZ. was contributed to the life-boat cause during the year 1891.

Since then the Sheffield Daily Telegraph has made an urgent appeal, and by con- tinually " pegging away" at its readers has raised the handsome sum of 1,300Z.

We trust that the " revival" will not be allowed to die, but that while the fresh life stirred up in Lancashire and York- shire is maintained, other parts of the country may be induced to show equal energy in so philanthropic a cause.

His Royal Highness the DUKE OF EDIN- BURGH, one of the Vice-Patrons of the In- stitution, on the occasion of his recent visit to Preston, when drawing special attention to the activity of Lancashire and York- shire in advancing the interests of our ' Society, said: "I received an invitation to go to-day to St.

Anne's to witness and take part in a Life-boat demonstration. I regret, however, that I was unable to accept that invitation, as the pro- gramme of to-day's proceedings would not admit of it; hut I think you would like me to say one word about it, being myself associated with the National Life-boat Institution. Owing to special exertions which have been made in Lancashire and the surrounding counties, I find that, whereas in the year 18 0 the contributions to that Institution amounted to the sum of only 3000Z., last year (1891) they reached nearly 21,OOOZ., and in that respect Lancashire and its neighbouring counties have set an example which I hope will be followed by all the other counties of this great country." All well-wishers to the cause will echo the hope so well expressed by His Royal Highness.