THE War, the greatest in which a nation has ever been involved, has entirely absorbed public interest, and the purses which have been so generously opened to the innumerable appeals in connexion with the War have, almost of necessity, been closed to the normal calls of charity, even in those cases where these calls are of a permanent and truly national character. Such is the case with the Life-boat cause. Peace or war, this work of humanity, whose beneficent activities extend beyond the limits of nationality, must be carried on, and it is a very serious matter that the Institution is faced with a heavy loss of revenue owing to the fact that all the special appeals by which we are accustomed to approach the man in the street have had to be abandoned in the face of this national crisis.

Meanwhile, there are circumstances definitely connected with the state of war which are, in themselves, actually likely to involve a more frequent and serious call upon the services of the Life-boats and their crews. The Coast Guards have been, to a great extent, withdrawn, and the lights on the coast have been largely extinguished, while buoys and beacons have been removed.

The narrowing of navigable waters owing to the mine fields, so that vessels can no longer keep outside the sand banks, but are compelled to take the inside channels, will also in all probability become a contributory cause of wrecks, and the fact that the Light-vessels no longer report casualties either by gun signal or wireless telegraphy will add to the work of Life-boats' craws.

These facts, taken together, necessarily cause the Committee of Management great anxiety. We venture to appeal to those who realize the magnificent work which the Life-boat Institution has done during the last hundred years not to forget its claims, even at such a time as this, but to set aside some proportion at least of their generous contributions to a national cause in the shape of support for the Life-boat.

In addition to these effects of the War, which directly affect the finances of the Institution, there are others which are of sufficient importance to bring to the notice of the public. So far as the crews of the Life-boats are concerned, the mobilization of our Forces has not to any serious extent depleted them ; the Naval Reserves being almost entirely drawn from crews of merchant ships and sea-going vessels, and not from the class which forms, as a rule, the Life-boat crew, viz., the inshore fishermen. Nevertheless, an examination of the returns which have been called for from each Life-boat Station on the coast, shows that at most Stations one or two vacancies have to be filled up, and that in a few oases as many as half the crew have been called out; while in one case, Ilfracombe, no less than 20 men on the roster have left to join the colours; but it is satisfactory to learn that at practically every Station on the coast, it is reported that there are sufficient men to make up the deficiency, and a full crew can be found to man the Life-boat. Very few Coxswains have gone, although, on the other hand, a good many Assistant Coxswains, who are generally younger men, have answered the call.

In addition to the actual crews, some Stations have lost important shore officials, such as the head launcher, winchman, light-man, and signalman, though in the latter case, many Stations report that the military are undertaking the duties. Lastly, anyone acquainted with the Honorary Secretaries of ourStation Branches will not be surprised to hear that a large number of these gentlemen have either already left for active service, or are daily awaiting the call.

The withdrawal in many cases of the Coast Guards has left a great deal of the coastline without the ordinary look-out being kept for wrecks, though, in some of these the duty has been undertaken by the Boy Scouts, no less than 1,400 of them being now engaged in what, in peace times, is the work of the Coast Guards. It is reported that these boys are doing excellent work, and are forming, in many respects, an admirable substitute for the proper watchers of the coast; but it is hoped that dwellers by the sea will not fail to report any wreck or vessel in distress which they may see; and it may be mentioned here that where the Coastguard or other telephone is not available, a telegram calling out a Life-boat will be accepted at any Post Office at any time of the day or night, including Sundays, free of charge. It should be addressed "Coxswain, Life-boat," the name of the nearest Life-boat Station being added.

The Institution grants a reward of seven shillings for the first information of this nature.

The Inspectors of Life-boats being Naval Officers, it is not surprising that the majority have been required for active service in this crisis—and, as a matter of fact, five out of the seven are now serving with the Fleet, so that it is impossible for the routine of periodical inspections to be continued at present. It behoves Coxswains more than ever to keep their eyes open for anything going wrong, and to resist the temptation to " wait till the Inspector comes round," before reporting defects in the equipment of the Boat or other stores. Honorary Secretaries will themselves no doubt show an increased vigilance over these things, and where they are too busy to make periodical visits to the Boathouse themselves, or where the Honorary Secretary has himself been called out, it might be well for Local Committees to arrange for one of their number in turn to make such a visit, and to satisfy himself by inspection, and by questioning the Coxswain, that all is well.

Generally speaking, it is felt that the spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty which is so conspicuous a feature I of this national crisis, will stand the I Institution in good stead in its present difficulties, and that the members of | Local Committees and all others in- ! terested in the noble work of saving life at sea, will not allow the efficiency of the Life-boat Service to lapse, either for lack of funds, or for any other reason, in the coming winter, or any other winter or winters during which the War may unfortunately last..