The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-03 00:00:00

TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The annually increasing number of wrecks
and incessant loss of human life constantly give
rise to the question, " Why have we not more
lifeboats ?"

The reply is, that those who live at home and at
ease are apt to give little heed to the fate of the
gallant fellows whose hard lot it is to brave at all
seasons the dangers of the sea. This reproach to
the humanity, the riches, and the civilisation of
England ought assuredly to exist no longer.
Alucb, undoubtedly, has been done by the " Royal
Lifeboat Institution," but much may yet be accom-
plished in co-operation with that admirable insti-
tution.

The late disasters on our southern shores, and in
the vicinity of the Isle of Wight, point to that
locality as a district where lifeboats are especially
wanted. A committee has accordingly been formed
to commence operations by establishing a boat
there without further delay.
At present, upon that dangerous and iron-bound
coast, so fair in summer, so fatal in winter, the
wrecked mariner has scarcely the remotest chance
of succour. Thus it is, that hundreds of invalu-
able lives are yearly lost, within a comparatively
small area. " Evil, indeed, is wrought by want of
thought as well as by want of heart." Let us then
bestir ourselves vigorously.
The Committee feel assured that for so noble and
humane an object no lengthened appeal to the
public is needed, especially when it is made known
that every lifeboat is instrumental in saving on an
average from thirty to forty lives yearly.
James Hall, Esq., of the Naval and Military
Club, Cambridge House, Piccadilly (S.W.), has
kindly consented to act as honorary secretary to the
fund now being raised; contributions to which can
also be paid either to me at Woolwich Common
(.E.), or to Messrs. Coutts, 59, Strand (W.C.)—*
I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

J. A. DUNTZE, Admiral.
United Service Club (S.W.) April 30, 1867.

The Bishop of London held a confirmation at the
parish church, Islington, this morning, at 12 o'clock.
We understand that the President of the Poor-
law Board has appointed Mr. John Lambert, poor-law
inspector, to be the receiver of the metropolitan common
poor fund, under the Metropolitan Poor Act, 1867. This
appointment does not necessitate the relinquishment by Mr.
Lambert of his present duties at the Poor-law Board.
We have to announce the death of Sir William
Sidney Thomas, Bart., which took place on SaturdaY
morning at Malvern. The deceased was the eldest sur-
viving son of the fourth baronet, by the daughter of Mr.
Richard Welch, and was born in 1807. He married first,
in 1843, the only daughter of the late Captain Henri
Haynes, R.N. ; and secondly, in 1856, the youngest
daughter of the late Mr. John Coulson, of Clifton Wood,
Clifton. He succeeded his father in 1850.

AMATEUR TIIEATRICALS.—A performance was
given the other evening at St. Martin's Hall, which
drew together a very fashionable audience. The perform-
ances commenced with the farce of " Taming a Tiger,'
followed by the tragedy of "Othello," and concluded with
the farce entitled "An Ugly Customer." It is unusual 011
the occasions of amateur performances to specially com-
plement any one of the adventurous actors, for all do
their best, but we must make exception in the present
instance, in order to congratulate Mr. Markby, Mr. 11.
Raiford, Mr. E. Sharpe, and Mr. A. Chatterton on the ex-
cellent manner in which they respectively supported the
parts of Othello, lago, Cassio, and Ludovico. In the farces
preceding and following the tragedy Mr. Scale well sus-
tained the comic element. The ladies, Miss Kate Rivers,
Mrs. Henderson, Miss Hastings, and Miss Seymour also
deserve special praise.
ESCAPE OF A FENIAN PRISONER.—The officials
at Tatnworth Station were alarmed at midnight
on Wednesday by the receipt of a telegram from Stafford,
announcing that a Fenian prisoner had jumped from the
Irish mail train a little south of Tamworth Station. An
engine, with an inspector, was at once despatched up the
line to Atherstone, and down the line to Lichfield Station,
and all the available hands were despatched north and
south of the station to search the embankments, but up to
the present time no trace of the missing prisoner has been
found, and there is no doubt that he has made his escape.
How ho could got clear from his two custodians and escape
without injury from a mail train in full motion, and after-
wards elude his pursuers, is a question which has caused
much comment, and which, it is hoped, will be satisfacto-
rily explained. From further information, it appears the
prisoner's name is Roonan, and that he was in charge of
Sergeant William Savage, A Division, Metropolitan police,
and Constable Gunning, of the Irish constabulary, on a
journey front London to Dublin. The officers state the
prisoner escaped about 11 p.m., that lie made a bound to
the carriage window, and went through before they bad
time to seize him. They heard him distinctly fall to the
ground. They are now iu Tamworth prosecuting inqui-
ries, but have not been enabled up to the present time to
gain any tidings of the missing prisoner.
COLLISION AT SEA.—It was reported at Liverpool
on Wednesday that a collision had occurred in the
Atlantic between the Cunard mail steamer Scotia and the
Berkshire, of Boston. The disaster is said to have occurred
on the night of the 11th ult. The Berkshire was seen from
the Scotia's decks some time before the collision, and the
engines were reversed, but the danger was not avoided.
The Berkshire struck squarely on the bows of the S,:otia,
and became a wreck immediately. For some time the I rig;
ging of the two vessels was entangled, but they were ti
length parted. Boats were lowered, and the I3erksh itv.
crew were transferred to the steamer.