The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-17 00:00:00

GALLANT SERVICES.

Almost every account which reaches us from the
coast of the frightful storms and wrecks of the last few
days, has also the narrative of some acts of heroism on
the part of the crew of the lifeboats, of coast guardsmen
or of other seafaring volunteers. We have already printed
many of these details.
Off Lowestoft on Saturday morning, an Austrian brig
drove on to the east end of the Holm Sends, the moat
exposed part of the shoal, where she lay exposed to the
violence of a very severe gale from the south and west, ►nd
the fury of a fearfully heavy sea. The Lowestoft lifeboat
m►de an attempt to get to her, and saw 12 men clinging to
the ship, but were oompelled to return to the harbour. She
put out again with the assistance of the Lowestoft tug
the Rainbow, and found only the bare stern of a vessel out
of the breakers on which the crew were clinging. In the
face of the greatest danger the lifeboat made for the wreck,
only just in time to save thous who were mercifully
washed in the direction of the boat. A wave
swept every man from his grasp, and eight out
of twelve men alone were rescued. The lifeboat
then bra►ely fought her way out of the surf and ap-
proached the Rainbow to be taken in tow, the news being
shouted of seven being saved. The crew mustered twelve,
including the pilot, who was hauled into the boat in an
insensible condition, and died before they reached the bar-
bour. The remaining four men were seen to go down. On
land, the poor men were at once taken to the Sailors'Home,
where they received attention.
At Kiogsgate, neer Margate, after an ineffeatu al attempt
afew eveniopago of the Lifeboat to get to the Onward, which
had been cast ashore, the coastguard galley, manned by the
coastguard and some of the lifeboat crew, put out and suc-
ceeded, after being once beaten back, in reaching the
schooner, and sav:ng her captain and crew of four men. At
10 o'clock the same night the schooner Harriet was driven oa
to the rocks at Walpole Point, near Kinpgate station,
and the coastguard galley was again launched, John Lynch,
chief boatman, with a pert of the lifeboat's crew, volan-
tearing to make the attempt to reach the ship, which they
happily succeeded in doing, after one abortive effort, and
brought off the captain and crew of three men. The
coastguard, with the assistance of some of the M►rg►te
boatmen, have since succeeded in saving the entire cargoes
of both vessels, and bringing the schooners themselves into
Margate harbour.

Earl Russell has arranged to leave Pembroke
Lodge, Richmond Park, to-monowr, accompanied by the
countess and family, for the family reirideace in Chatham.
place, for the mason.
_ _ _

The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland was present on
Monday evening at the annual distribution of prizes to the
successful students of the Dublin Industrial Museum at
the examinations for the year 18(.5. Sir Robert Base
having delivered an interesting lecture upon the various
products produced by the distillation of coal, distributed
the prices. He stated that the Museum of Irish Industry
had not only maintained its position sa a place of education
during she past year, but that there was a greater number
of students, and also a more active competition. His Excel•
lency delivered a brief speech, in the course of which he
intimated that arrangements were in progress for placing
the institution on a still firmer, more satisfactory, and
wider buis.

On the sth all Rome crowded to bear the "Stabat
Mater Speciosa," the Christmas hymo of Jacopo di Tadi,
which the research of Frederic 07.411101 brought to light
among the MSS. of the Bibliotheque de Paris, and which
the Abbe Liszt has just set to music. It was performed by
a magnificent choir, and done ample justice to, bat was
considered rather heavy and monotonous.

We regret to learn that at Rome, on the 9th
inst., the eminent eculptor, Mr. John Gibson, was struck
with paralysis of the right side. On being taken to his
house be had two other attacks. For some time his health
bad been (ailing, and in the beginning of the summer he
Lad several fainting fits. In July end August he went to
Switzerland with his friend Penult Williams, lingering •
short time at Leghorn, and he appeared to have derived
benefit from the change ; but the promise of restoration
to health was delusive. Though he retained the full use
of his senses he was not expected to live many days. He
is in his 76th year.

"On the 6th inst ," writes the Madrid corre-
spondent of the Times, "I met is the Calle del Arsenal ft
grand state carriage draws by six hones highly ca• arisoned,
and ♦ocompanied by a number of ruining footmen in gor-
geous livery, preceded and followed by a glittering escort.
That coach conveyed to the most excellent Dawager
Duchess de Hijar, Mistress of the Robes of the Most Holy
Virgin of Atoolis, the dress which, accord's' to custom,
her Majesty sends as a present to the said Most Holy Vir.
gla on the °e motion of her entrance into the ninth mooth of
her pregnancy. It was a magoiaceot gown of moire
antique, row-coloured, trimmed with magnificent blonds,
and tufts of green feathers and marabouts. Likewise a
green court mantle of sea•green moire antique, also trimmed
with blonde and tufts of green and rose feathers and man.
head. While she is so liberal to the miraculous image,
the Queen herself humbly and devoutly puts on Bee Pears-
dale's sast•off chemises."