The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-30 00:00:00

continuation, " Have not all the provisions which
the armies in the field plunder in the Southern
States the very same origin. Viewed in this light,
the language of Mr. SEWARD seems almost inco.

herent and certainly quite inconclusive, should he
or Mr. LINCOLN, as the French paper appropriately
inquires, desire that the soldiers of GRANT and
SHERIDAN should die of hunger rather than eat
the coveted productions of immoral and ener•
vating slave labour." Finally it is said, with great
force and expression, that Mr SEWARD attempts to
defend against an insult from England—a "people
whom Mr LINCOLN and his generals are pillag-
ing, oppressing, and persecuting." This able article
completely disposes of this question of the pro-
posed aid to the Confederates, which has given rise
to so much confusion, and afforded Mr SEWARD an
opportunity which has doubtless rej 3iced his heart,
of manifesting to the world at large his abhorrence
of England, and his utter contempt fur truth and
justice.

The lifeboat services which are rendered to the
community are most important, and it is always
interesting to notice the reports and statements con•
nected with the progress made. Daring this year,
now just closing, it is observable that the lifeboats
of the National Lifeboat Institution have saved no
less than 432 lives, besides contributing to the
saving of 37 vessels. Besides this 266 lives have
been saved in the same period by shore boats and
other means ; thus, 698 lives in all have been pre.
served in one year. On many other occasions the
lifeboats have put off to the assistance of wrecks, but
their services have not been subsequently required,
so that an immense amount of peril and a con-
siderable outlay of expense have been incurred.
The cost of such an establishment as this

is enormous, and the repairs inevitable to its
efficiency swallow up a considerable sum. During
this year the Institution has expended £14,790 on
its several establishments on the coasts of England,
Scotland, and Ireland. It must be evident from these
details that a more valuable and efficient society
could not exist; and it is urgently to be trusted
that at this season, when many affluent indivi-
duals are looking out for objects upon which to be-
stow
their charitable donations, the claims of this
Institution will not be overlooked' In a country
like this it should never be said that it required
much solicitation to make the benefits of such an
Institution required, and acceded to promptly and
liberally. Language cannot adequately depict
the feelings of those who are saved from the
stranded ship and the sinking wreck, while
the relatives and friends of those who
escape the perils of waters and reach their homes
in safety must surely be witnesses that none can
gainsay as to the value of such endeavours as it is

the object of this institutiou to promulgate and
support. It is very gratifying to learn that the
several services thus rendered to the cause of the
preservation of life have been recognised by the
French Government, and that instructions have
been received by some important functionaries to
disseminate the knowledge circulated ,by the So.
ciety. On many a'counts it is interesting to find
that the course of the National Lifeboat Institu-

Lion seems likely to prosper ; its success must
strike some chords that.vibrate.to the hearts of al!,
although the full importance of its efforts and
the urgency of its need can only be fully apprea
ciated by those who go down to the sea in ships
and occupy their business in the great waters.