ONE night in Autumn, lately past, remembered by a chilly blast, That swept o'er all the country wide, While sitting at the warm fireside, I mused on all the trials sore, Of Mariners around our shore; As day by day, the papers tell, Of sad disasters, known too well To those who live close by the sea, When they these wrecks so frequent soe.

As each recurring Autumn comes, 'Tis sad to hear the total sums Of human lives lost on the sea, When by the fireside thus are we.

What can we do, to help, to save These toilers on the angry wave ? A National Institute have we, ¥OT saving life upon the sea, Who keep their Life-boats on the shore Wherever angry billows roar; And hardy crews to man each boat At times when they can scarcely float.

But to provide these gallant crews, (Who from the hardiest men they choose), With all the things that they may need, requires some help from all: Indeed, The public's help is all they get, Which help has never failed them yet; And never shall its income fail, While living man can tell the tale Of deeds of heroism done Wherever they've the task begun, Of saving life, amid the storm, And tempests of the wildest form.

In fancy now I see them go To render aid in case of woe.

As they the Life-boat eager launch.

These men so brave, so true, and staunch, And each one works his very best, Nor ever from their labour rest ; Until their object is attained, 1 And they at length the wreck have gained.

| See! how the crowd upon the shore, ! More eager now than e'er before, : Do strain their eyes in face of storm; : And when they see the Life-boat's form, Cheer after cheer goes o'er the wave, As they their fellow-creatures save.

Slowly they come towards the shore, ! While still the surf doth loudly roar ; | Nearer, and yet more near, they come, ' Striving to bring the rescued home; ; Till, by the aid of gallant band, The boat is safely brought to land.

The rescued, now upon the beach, With feelings all too deep for speech, | In silence offer up a prayer And praise for their deliverance there.

The hardy crew secure their boat, And with a humble thankful note, Congratulate each other now They're safe on shore, and kept their vow To rescue their poor fellow-men, i Or perish with them; as just then | God's mercy to them, they could see, I Had helped them through that awful sea.

• For these brave men I plead again, ( And trust I shall not plead in vain; ' The Life-boat Institute support, And they -will give a good report Of means, well spent; and' thus to save Our toilers from a watery grave.

B. WATSON.