CHANGE OF TITLE OF THE ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE FROM SHIPWRECK MOST of our readers are already aware that the title of the above Society has been recently altered to that of the "Royal National Life-boat Insti- tution—founded in 1824 for the Pre- servation of Life from Shipwreck"; they may not, however, be acquainted with the causes that have led to the change.

The Institution was founded in the year 1824, chiefly by the exertions and under the auspices of the late Sir William Hillary, Bart., the late Thomas Wilson, Esq., then M.P. for the city of London, and other benevo- lent gentlemen, some of whose coadjutors have continued to this day to be working members of its Commit- tee of Management, and to afford it the benefit of their knowledge and experience.

The original objects of the Institu- tion may be shortly stated to have been: To rescue wrecked persons from drowning on the coasts of the United Kingdom, by every available means, both direct and indirect.

Until the year 1851, the Institution was the only body in this country having the above objects in view, and at the same time, whose sphere of action extended over the whole of the coasts of the United Kingdom.

In the above-named year, however, another national and sister institution came into the field—The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society—whose invaluable services in providing for the ship- wrecked seaman (already saved), and releasing him from the shame and ignominy of begging his bread, cannot be too highly appreciated, or too liberally supported.

In the year 1851 that Society, which in the pursuit of its avocation had but too evident proof forced on it, of the lamentable deficiency of all existing means for saving life from shipwreck, determined to enter upon that work also, little doubting that amongst its numerous supporters, it would obtain sufficient aid to enable it to accom- plish the object it had in view.

Before the expiration of the follow- ing year, the Society found itself in possession of seven or eight new life- boats, with their necessary gear, with houses to shelter them, and, where necessary, with carriages for their conveyance on the shore; and more- over, with local Committees for their management, and an average annual local income of £20 at each station for their maintenance.

There were now two Societies before the public, each having the same objects in view, and the titles of which were so similar, that the one was frequently mistaken for the other, and it appeared probable that many persons being doubtful which Society was most deserving of support, might withhold their subscriptions to the cause altogether.

It accordingly became a question whether it might not be expedient that the before-named Society should confine itself to its original objects, to effect which there was an ample field for its utmost exertions; and that it should transfer its life-boat establish- ments to the National Shipwreck Institution; the real question being, not whether a good work should be discontinued, but whether it might not be better performed in one mode, rather than in another.

Negotiations accordingly passed between the two Societies in the autumn of 1853, the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Society liberally offering to hand over its life- boat establishments, with all the funds especially raised for their sup- port, to the National Shipwreck Institution; requiring, as an equiva- lent for them, that the latter Institu- tion should so alter its title, as to remove all similarity between the two, and to prevent any confusion exist- ing in the public mind respecting them..