The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-12 00:00:00

these vessels are wrecked, and that property is lost
within the same period actually exceeding in

round numbers £1,500,000 !
Dreadful though those annual losses are—it is
consolatory to bear in recollection at the same time
the extent of our annual savings in human life
snatched from the very jaws of death by heroic
and almost superhuman interposition. Instance
in illustration of this, the simple fact that, since
1824, no less than 11,600 of our fellow mortals have
been mercifully saved from otherwise inevitable
destruction, by the lifeboats and the rocket and
mortar apparatus, of that glorious and beneficent
association—may Gon bless it and prosper its
efforts increasingly—the National Lifeboat Insti-
tution. Already since its establishment, six-and-
thirty years ago, this noble philanthropic institu-
tion has voted very nearly 100 gold medals, and
considerably more than 600 silver medals, to say
nothing of pecuniary grants, amounting to very
little short of £14,000, expending the while no less
a sum than £40,000 sterling solely and exclusively
upon the support of its lifeboat establishments !
Of all the benevolent institutions in the land this
is perhaps the most deserving, as it is in all essen-
tial particulars perhaps of all the most judiciously
and meritoriously conducted. Out of the entire
number of 158 lifeboats now maintained along the
whole of the coast line of the United Kingdom, actu-
ally as many as 100 are supported exclusively by the
National Lifeboat Institution. In aiding the poor
shipwrecked mariners it should be observed, how-
ever, that the officials connected with the marine
department of the Board of Trade have nobly co-
operated with the officers of this truly national
institution. Above all, should it be borne in par-
ticular remembrance, that the vast majority of
those saved from a watery grave have been suc-
coured by ordinary boats, by fishing smacks, and
other craft, in no way connected either with the
National Lifeboat Institution or with her MAJESTY'S
Government. Reviewing anew these affecting
records of Death and Disaster, the yearly Wreck
Charts and Wreck Registers of the Board of
Trade, if (as is unquestionably the case) "much has
been done" towards mitigating the perils of the
deep along the coasts of England, it should be
especially remembered also that far, far "more
remains to do !"

Winter has not only appeared in the far North,
but has actually invaded the South and West. An
observing correspondent, at Portmadoc, informs us
that, on Tuesday last, they were visited in Wales
with storms of rain, hail, and snow. The " many
peaks" of Snowdon were capped with snow, and
the temperature was very low and cold. Last year
the winter had set in early, but modified towards
December.
DEATH OF THE EAP,L OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE.
—We regret to announce the death of the Earl of Leven
and Melville, which took place on Monday last, at his resi-
dence, Melville-house, in his 75th year. The deceased,
David Leslie• Melville, was son of the 7th Earl, by the
daughter of Mr. John Thornton, of London, and was born
in London on Juno 22, 1785. He succeeded to the title on
the death of his father on Feb. 22, 1820, as eighth Earl of
Leven and seventh Earl of Melville. In 1824 he married
the daughter of Sir Archibald Campbell. lie entered the
navy at an early age, and commanded a boat at the capture
and destruction of a convoy in the Bay of Roses in 1809,
and became a vice-admiral in 1858. Tho deceased noble-
man was one of the representatives peers of Scotland, and
a deputy-lieutenant of the county of Fife. The first Earl
of Melville was a distinguished Minister in the time of
William 111., and the first Earl of Leven was an eminent
republican general.

THAMES AND MERSEY MARINE INSURANCE
COMPANY.—A meeting of the combined Boards of the
Thames and Mersey Marine Insurance Company was held
at the London office yesterday, when it was decided that,
in consequence of the successful operations of the company
up to the present time, no further capital is required, and
that the call of £2 which the prospectus stated would be
made at the end of the year may be indefinitely postponed,
an action on the question of any increase of capital being
left to the general meeting in February, 1861.

IMPERIAL GAS LIGHT COMPANY.—The half-
yearly general meeting of this company was held yesterday
at the offices in Bedford-row ; J. St. G. Burke, Esq., de-
puty-governor, in the chair. The report stated that the
profit for the last half-year, added to the balance in hand,
would yield a dividend of 10 per cent., and also pay 21 per
cent. in respect of dividend for 1857, in which the dividend
was only 71 per cent. The directors have found it necessary
to order the expenditure of a large amount of capital in the
construction of a new gasholder room, and in the laying
down of mains of large calibre. The report was unani-
mously adopted. Mr. J. Silver moved the appointment of
Mr. James St. George Burke, as governor, in the room of
Mr. Richards, deceased, which having been seconded,
passed; and the appointment of Mr. Edward Richards as
deputy in the room of Mr. Burke, was also passed unani-
mously.

THE DOUBLE INCOME-TAX UPON ENFACED IN-
MAN RUPEE LOANS.—A meeting of capitalists interested
in the welfare of India was held yesterday morning at the
offices of the Agra and United Service Bank, for the pur-
pose of considering the preliminary steps to be taken with
reference to the double income tax upon enlaced Indian
Rupee Loans. Mr. It. W. Crawford, M.P., was in the
chair, and a resolution was unanimously adopted to form a
committee "f'or the purpose of ascertaining the legal posi-
tion of the holders of the securities of the Government of
India in reference to the income-tax question, of collecting
subscriptions towards the necessary expenses thereof, and
of taking such steps as they may consider expedient for
the protection of the interests concerned."
NEAPOLITAN RAILWAYS.—Itseems that the

concession granted by General Garibaldi to Messrs. Adarni
and Letauri of Leghorn, for the construction of the rail-
ways of Naples and Sicily, and which has just been for-
mally revoked, involved a guarantee of 53 per cent. on all
expenditure that might be incurred. Of course, it was
highly undesirable that at a moment of confusion like the
present such an extensive financial concession should be
made to any parties, and the fact of its having been annulled
before the favoured individuals had time to raise any pre-
tence for damages is therefore satisfactory. That the act
was beyond the fair power of any merely provisional Go-
vernment is also obvious. It may be remarked, however,
that if, by the statement that the guarantee was to apply
to all expenditures incurred, it is to be understood that the
intention was to depart from the common practice of limit-
ing it to a specified estimate and leaving the subscribers to
take the risk of that estimate being exceeded, the innovation
was a desirable one,and such as maybe hoped will be pursued
whenever, under a settled government, the question shall
definitively be brought forward. Experience has shown
that no guarantee, however high, cn a fixed sum will coun-
teract the effect of apprehension that- a further sum will
be required. The probability therefore is that henceforth
all Governments jealous of their credit wil. in such matters
adopt the more economical plan of giving a guarantee on
the entire cost of each work, stipulating that the consent of
a representative of the Government shall be obtained at the
commencement of eTery contract.

THE COMMERCIAL TREATY WITH FRANCE.—The
French Government have addressed a series of inquiries to
the chambers of commerce throughout France, to obtain
their opinion as to the advisableness of anticipating the
dates fixed by the commercial treaty for the admission at
the reduced duties of the various classes of British manu-
factures. The Chamber of Commerce at Rouen, well
known as a body devoted to the old restrictive system, has
replied in favour of maintaining the delays to their utmost
extent. That of Boulogne, which has always taken a most
active part in the support and dissemination of liberal com-
mercial views, and Is presided over by M. Adam, a leading
member of the Commercial Reform Association, has ex-
pressed its opinion that the prolongation of the present
period of transition and suspense is injurious to all interests
alike, and that British machinery and tools ought to be
admitted at the reduced rates forthwith, and all other
articles on the 31st of December, instead of at various in-
tervals extending to the 31st of Octcber, 1861. Between
these extreme views it is expected that various intermediate
recommendations will be made ; but it is thought that a
majority of the replies will be in favour of anticipating the
period for the complete operation of the provisions of the
treaty to a greater or less extent.

THE FIRE AT LIMEHOUSE.—it is understood

paid.
,ott
vhhiah.
sai
idi
‘t
cr, . .
ihewenswliest 1
~,
rehhsrme.
etl hedGmee ost ert,
premiums,
raxdochyepaeperdtrti
io,oonan of
atnhlovtefhe
Wednesday
the
fire
sugar
ger
dsae policydrai aynyrss
el aifiae
insurance
i Tpinarinretoenehehtnfrweeemuesi
erenssei
daeugacPs
dtoftm,bhpethyt
interested,
eeLoa,beedinroamewepi
fiensenierhoet-ehtghitohmoovf fibtet
fiueiteeshscnielceeetenses..
~
exceptionidh,eahrdes,
dh
question
yesterday
setovefredtr n
h,
is
seytLohmituvaeserxr:ppai ionirsoegel dd
a.
t,
and
deOwLnho officena tdthoeisns
days' privilege which the offices profess to give? Accord-
ing to general impressions, the result of a trial at law will
be that it has a definite meaning, and that that mean.rinoadi.s.
that the offices are bound, under all circumstances, to meaning is
a continuance of their liability during that period.
It may be instructive to the public to learn that informa-
tion of this fire was conveyed from the branch office of the
OSS OF LIFE.—We
London
de l i Districtere
delivered
a t Telegraphthe FiCompany,reß ri
gd e
station, C ommiear Commercial-road-
east, east, and Watling-
street,
a mg-
Etlast I
it A evening,rL iinmeight
umsi
En u. le si
learn that Christian Koster, ono of the workmen,
lrsoets:Ttereehittii's life in the destructive fire at Messrs. Goodhart's
sugar warehouse on Wednesday. lle was 36 years of age,
and much respected by his fellosv-workmen.
FATAL AFFRAY WITH POACTIERS.—On Saturday
night a serious affray occurred between the gamekeepers of
Archdeacon Jones, of Brynsteddfod, near to Conway, and a
party of five poachers. Owen Roberts, one of the poachers,
was shot by the gun belonging to the keeper, who was him-
self much hurt by the poachrs, as also was the under-
keeper. The body of Roberts was carried some distance by
his companions, who, however, left it. The keeper suc-
ceeded in reaching the residence of the Archdeacon and giv-
ing the alarm, when the butler went to the village for the
poacher,On
phnisrpwoasye ohfegitvaimngblea
immoevdeiarttehienfdoeramdatbioandytootfhtehpeolice.
which had been left by the gang for the purpose of more
readily effecting their escape. The poachers were known,
and readily apprehended by the polipo. An inquest was
heldonMonday upon the body of Roberts, when the jury
returned
a verdict of "Found shot, but how or by whom
i, there was no evidence j) show." The other prisoners were
rezuoYo P? Itutigu V-901 —0110.• 01(i'alte.