" YOUR Committee cannot conclude their report without recording their opinion that the thanks of the whole community are due to the Committee of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION for the energy and good management (often in very difficult circumstances) with which they have for so many years successfully carried out tire national work of life- saving, and this without reward or pay- ment of any sort." These are amongst the concluding words of the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed last March to inquire fully—and they did so for four months —into the Institution's administration and the adequacy of its organization for saving life on the coast. After considering every detail and hearing all the complaints which the few but demonstrative enemies and traducers of the Institution had to advance, this is the important and significant verdict: that the thanks of the whole community are due to the Institution. The view thus forcibly expressed has been fully endorsed by the Press of the country, which has generously circulated broad- cast hundreds of leading articles and paragraphs, not only concurring in the finding of the Select Committee, and expressing with one consent its entire satisfaction, but urging the public to forthwith contribute without stint and without misgiving to the funds of the Society, and so to make amends for the help which has been so unfortunately withheld in consequence of the baseless and improper charges which had been so unjustly, malevolently, and assiduously circulated against the Institution. Con- gratulatory resolutions, letters, and tele- grams have, during the last three months, been pouring into the office of the Institution from all parts of the United Kingdom and even from the Continent and the Colonies, and one and all, high and low, rich and poor, seem glad to find that the oldest and largest Life-boat Service in the world has passed through the ordeal of a searching parliamentary investi- gation not only unscathed, but praised and encouraged. What should be the natural outcome and result of all this? Surely increased and substantial financial support. Good words are excellent things in themselves, and sympathy is sweet; but the good words come with greater force, and sympathy shows proof of its sincerity, when backed up by action.

The weak part of the income of the Institution is the comparative paucity of the annual subscriptions, which really constitute, with the interest accruing on such legacies as the Committee have been able to invest, the only reliable source of maintenance. We would there- fore appeal to our local committees and friends all over the country to urge all those whom they can influence to become annual subscribers to the Institution.

Donations are very necessary and much valued, but the annual subscriber is the best friend to the cause. Some generous friends may be contemplating mentioning the Institution in their wills. We hope there may be many such. "We would draw their special attention to the following paragraph in the Parliamentary Report. " The Institution would be greatly helped in its work, and seafaring men more fully provided for when in danger, were money left to the managers of the Institution to use in 'their dis- cretion for the objects prescribed in their charter." We would earnestly commend and support this most useful suggestion and recommendation.