The Gift Lifeboats Of The National Lifeboat Institution.

THE GIFT LIFEBOATS of the NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION .

The following article is taken from the National Lifeboat Association ' s last Report , and we hope the Society will soon be enabled to add to its noble fleet a " Masonic Lifeboat . " Fourteen years since a movement commenced of an altogether novel character in the lifeboat work ,

and which is without precedent in this or in any other country . At that period a benevolent lady presented the National Lifeboat Institution with the cost of a new lifeboat , to be stationed at a part of the coast where one was needed . Another lifeboat soon followed from a gentleman . A third

was presented by a Yacht Club ; and a fourth was given by a lady , as a thankoffering after a providential preservation from drowning . Rapidly the generous spark was fanned into a flame , and new boats , as fast as they were required on the various coasts of thc United Kingdom , were presented to

the society . Many of these noble gifts assumed the shape of memorials to departed relatives or friends , the first of which was given by two surviving sisters , in memory of a third to whom they had bid a last farewell , and which boat bears the affecting and

affectionate name of The Sisters' Memorial . Next came inland towns—Ipswich being the first—some of the inhabitants of which , feeling a desire that their own communities should be represented on the coast as performing their share of the national duty of affording protection to shipwrecked persons ,

in the only manner in which they could do so , appealed to their fellow-townsmen , and soon many of such inland places were represented by their own boats . Our chief manufacturing towns and cities being conspicuous amongst the number . Again , various public bodies of men , such as the

great mutual benefit societies , the Civil Service , thc Universities , Yacht Clubs , Commercial Travellers , Sunday Schools , thc subscribers to public journals , the Society of Friends , & c ; and , lastly , standing by itself in kind , the noble gift of ^ 2 , 000 for the provision and endowment of a lifeboat station by a

hrm of Parsee merchants , Messrs . Cama and Co ., on retiring from business in London , as an acknowledgement of , or thankoffering for , their success , and in testimony of their appreciation of the kind reception they had uniformly met with from the inhabitants of London .

In this manner it has come to pass that , as a great and enduring monument of the benevolent feeling and voluntary duty , if we may use the term , of the people of this country , the grand fleet of splendid and perfectly-equipped lifeboats which belongs to the Lifeboat Institution now encircles our

coasts . That lleet , at the present , consists of no less than 220 boats ; and of that large number 212 have been special gifts , or , as in the case of a very few of them , have been adopted by payment of their existing value . Through the means of this splendid support , and

more than generous appreciation of the usefulness of the Institution , and of the labours of its managing body , the committee who conduct its affairs are now in that proud position that they can look on the work they had set themselves to do as complete , so far as the placing of lifeboats at all , or

nearly all , suitable and available positions on the coasts of the United Kingdom is concerned ; and can feel that it will only , or at least chiefly , now devolve on them to maintain their existing lifeboat establishments in a state of completeness and efficiency . To enable them to do which , however , they

will still—considering that the National Lifeboat Institution is solely dependent on voluntary support—continually need the encouraging sympathy and interest , and the generous pecuniary aid of their fellow-countrymen , who have so generously supported them during the past .

THE MASONIC LIFEBOAT FUND . —Ave arc requested to acknowledge the following further subscriptions to this praiseworthy object : —Per Bro . II . M . Levy , P . M . 1 S 8 . Bro . the Rcv . T . C . Martyn , Grand Chaplain of England , £ 2 23 . ; sundry other donations , 7 s . 6 d .

CUE BLOOD PURIFIER . —Old Dr . Jacob Townsend ' s Sarsaparilla . Other Medical Testimony . —In speaking of the " Blood Purifier , " old Dr . Jacob Townscnd's Sarsaparilla , G . C . Kcriiolt , M . D ., L . S . A . Loud , says : "I strongly recommend it in cutaneous diseases and all impurities ' of the blood . " March 24 , 1 S 69 . —In a letter to the proprietors , June 6 , 1869 , Dr . Irvine , of Irvine--town ,

says : " I have been 111 the habit of ordering your Sarsaparilla for my patients with the best results . Send me s ' . x quarts and six mammoth bottles . ' '—For all skin diseases , for purifying the system of mercurial poisons , and building up the broken constitution it is thc only safe and certain remedy . In bottles 2 s . 6 d ., AS ., 4 s . 6 . 1 ., 7 s . 6 d ., lis .

Sold by all Druggists . Pills ami Ointment each in boxes , is 2 y £ tl ., 2 s . gd , 4 s . Od . Testimonials also from the Hon . thc Dean of Lismorc ; General AVilliam Gilbert , of he Indian Army ; ordered also by Apothecaries' Hall , Loudon . Caution —Get the red and blue wrappers , wilh the old Doctor ' s head in thc centre . No other irenuine .-Advt .

Poetry.

Poetry .

THE TEAR-CU P . A GERMAN LEGEND . The sweet warm suntide of an Autumn day Had with the changeful hours dreamed away And died ; and when the tender twilight came The sun-begotten and imprisoned flame

Of ruddy fruit burned softer , and the trees AVhispcred and kissed together , as the breeze ; Amorous odours full cf subtle thought From the dew-cherished sleepy flowers brought , And fair became all things that had not been So fair beneath the yellow midday sheen .

Ev ' n then a woman leaned against a style , AVaking yet sighing with sad dreams the while , For she had verily the right to mourn—Her little girl was dead , her only-born , A wavelet on the shore of time-to-be Had rippled back into eternity , Leaving the mother but the hurtful sweet That lurks in weeping o ' er a winding sheet .

Her tears fell fast as to her vision rose Dim pictures of the world-consenting woes That childless , widowhood alone must bear : She knew that she no more upon the stair Would heed the pattering of tiny shoes ,

No pout would vex , no ready laugh amuse ; Nor morning kiss , nor baby-like " Good-night " AA'buld ever make her heavy burthen light ; And as she thought of these her eyes again Gave misty outlines of the things most plain .

But in the gloaming suddenly there seemed , Soft-shadowed midst uncertain haze that gleamed , Like close-drawn clouds around the full-faced moon , A pale still image of the child , and soon , Startling the mother , as a trembling doe

Crouching and listening for an unseen foe Is startled at the lightest leaflet fall , A murmuring voice came gently : " AVeep not all These tears for me , dear mother , for behold AVithin my hand this cup of chasen gold—AVondrously wrought with carved pictures—see ,

1 is full of tears which thou hast wept for me , And if thou weepest more'twill overflow Adown the perfect side , and sadly show Stains on the brightness , and the powerful peace AVhich now is mine will then for ever cease ; So shall I have no rest by day or night , Nor any longer dwelling in delight . "

Thus spake the child , and as the songlike words Died in the evening twittering of birds And love-calls to their mates , the mother stood

A moment silently as though she would Pass to the vision and therewith be one , And fade away like vapour in the sun—Then stayed her sorrow , drove away her fears , And for her child's sweet sake , kept back her tears . H . M . G .

COMPRESSED GUN-COTTON . —While the application of gun-cotton as ai explosive agent has been steadily advancing , Messrs . Prentice and Co , of Slowmaakel , the manufacturers of this material , have carefully watched the results of its mechanical work , as well as the chemical investigation to which it has been subjected . AVe have now pleasure in calling attention to their recent

improvements , in which , applying the system of Professor Abel , Chemist to the War Department , they are enabled to carry out a plan of compression which their experience has led them lo see is of value in the use of this material . The principle thus introduced insures the most perfect attainment of the points essential for the safety and stability of the material , and , it is slated , renders it

nonexplosive in the open air , at the same tunc securing tlie highest effective power . In preparing this material thc cotton is first made explosive in the usual manner , then taken lo the pulping mill under Professor Abel ' s system . After thorough separation of the fibre and admixture of the pulp , il is compressed by hydraulic machinery until 1 in . of the cotton of any given diameter is equal to 6 in .

of powder . It is in a most portable and convenient form , and the advantages to the miner of having thc whole of his explosive force confined at the bottom of the hole cannot be over-estimated . This new process of manufacture will no doubt give results which will materially lessen the work of miners , quarrynicn , ami contractors . — Mechanics' Magazine .

GALVANISM . — Ptilvermacher's Monthly Record of Cures is 110 : 0 ready for the benefit of Sufferers , containing documentary evidence of remarkable Cures effected by Pulvcrmaclier ' s Improved Patent Self-applicable Volta-Kleclric Chain-Bands and Pocket Batteries , and may be had on application to ihe Sole Inventor and Patentee—J . L . Pulveimachcr , 200 , Regent-street ,

London , AA . A Test on Loan sent gratis if required . Caution . —Spurious Electric Appliances being advertised by Quack Doctors , Patients should consult Piilvermacher ' s Pamphlet on that subject ( free by post ) , embodying other most interesting matter for those suffering from Rheumatic and Neuralgic Pains , Functional Disorders , & c , & c— [ Advt . l

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Week ending July 30 , 1870 . MONDAY , J 25 . Lodge 831 , British Oak , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile-end-road . Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavem ,

Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Wellington Lodge of Instruction , AVhite Swan Tavernj Deptford , at S . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern , Haverstock-hill , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel ,

Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 , Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile End , at 7 for S . TUESDAY , J 26 . Lodge 186 , Industry , Freemasons' Hall . Metropolitan Chapter of Instruction , Portugal Hotel ,

Fleet-street , at 7 ;• Comp . Brett , Preceptor . Domatic Lodge of Instrnction , Palmei-ton Tav ., Grosvenorpark , Camberwell , at 7 . 30 . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction ( 3 S 2 ) , Hotel de Cologne , 60 ancl 61 , Haymarket , at 8 ; Bro . T . AAdams , Preceptor . Faith Lodge of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway , Victoria

Station , at S ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Preceptor . Yarborough Lodge of Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 8 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Prince Fredk . \ A ilIiam Lodge of Instruction ( 753 ) Knights of St . John ' s Tavern , St . John ' s-wood ; Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Prestonian Club of Instruction ( for M . M . ' s only ) , Lyceum Tavern , Strand .

AVEDNESDAY , J 27 . Lodge 507 , United Pilgrims , Horns Tavern , Kennington > . 753 . Prince Frederick William , Knights of St John Tavern , St . John ' s Wood . . » 754 . High Cross , White Hart , Tottenham . ,, 871 , Royal Oak , Royal Oak Tav ., Deptford . ,, 898 , Temperance in the East , 6 , Newby-place ,

Poplar . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich , at 8 ; J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor . United Strength Lodge of Instruction ( 22 S ) , Bull & Gate , Kentish Town-road , atS ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Instruction , Rising Sun Tavern , Globeroad , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor .

Strong Man Lodge of Instruction , The Grapes Tavern . Duke-street , Manchester-square , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , P . G . P ., Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instraction , Rosemary Branch Tavem , Iloxton , at 8 . Sydney Lodge of Instruction ( S 29 ) , Cambridge Hotel , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 .

Peckham Lodge of Instruction , Maismore Arms , Parkroad , Peckham ; Bro . David Rose , Preceptor . Temperance in the East Lodge of Instruction , George the Fourth , Catherine-street , Poplar . Burdett Coulls Lodge of Instruction ( 127 S ) , Approach Tavern , Approach-road , Victoria-park , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . T . Terry , Preceptor .

THURSDAY , J 28 . General Committee Girls' School , at 4 . Fidelity Lodge of Instruction ( 3 ) , Goat and Compasses , Euston-road , at S ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Finsbury Club of Instruction , Jolly Anglers' Tavern , 42

Bath-street , City-road . United Mariners' Lodge of Instruction , Three Cranes , Mile-cnd-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . J . Barnes , Preceptor . St . George ' s Lodge of Instruction ( 140 ) , Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich , at S .

FRIDAY , J 29 . St . Luke ' s Lodge of Instruction ( 144 ) , Pier Htl ., Chelsea . Unions Emulation Lodge of Improvement for M . M . ' s , Freemasons' Hall , at 7 . Domatic Chapter of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway Victoria Station , at S ; Comp . Cottebrune , Preceptor Pythagorean Chapter of Instruction ( No . 79 ) , Prince of

Orange , Greenwich-road , at 8 ; Comp , AA . West Smith , Preceptor . Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , Portugal Htl ., Fleetstreet , at 7 ; Bro . Brett , Preceptor . United Pilgrims' Lodge of Instruction , Duke of Edinburgh , Shepherd .-lane , Brixton . Belgrave Lodge of Instruction , Duke of Wellington Htl ., Spring-gardens , Charing-cross ; Br . Pulsford , Preceptor

Doric Lodge of Instrnction , 1 luce Cranes lavcrn , Mile end-road , at 8 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Duke of Edinburgh Lodge of Instruction , Silver Lion , Penny-fields , Poplar , at 7 ; Br . U . S . Potts , Preceptor . Temperance Lodge of Instruction , Victoria Tav ., Victoriaroad , Deptford , at S . Charterhouse Club of Instruction , Hat and Feathers Tavern , 25 , Goswell-road , at 8 ; Bro . J . Mather , P . M . 65 , Preceptor .

SATURDAY , J 30 . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 . South-Eastern Masonic Charitable Association , New Cross Branch .

Mr . E . AA . F . FRAIUNG , of the Daily News Office , writes , Feb . 20 , 1 S 69 . — ' I had thc misfortune lo sprain my foot badly last August . After trying all sorts of remedies for it without benefit , I was at last induced lo use your A ' egetable Pain Killer , which in a feiv days entirely cured it . I have since constantly kept it in my house as a family medicine , and have great confidence in it . — To P . D . & Son . "