Punch (76.1879)

A YEAR'S GOOD WORK.

People may grumble about the management of Charities, doubt
the good of Soup-Kitchens and Asylums for the houseless, or even
venture a query whether the great good of Hospitals is not
diminished by serious physical and economical drawbacks which
might be lessened by wiser management; but there is one institution
whose work, and whose way of doing it, nobody, so far as Punch
knows, ever questions, and that is the National Lifeboat Institution.
Its battle with the sea and the storm is never-ending. But if the
ocean can score to its side an awful list of casualties,—dead,
wounded, and missing,—the gallant Institution whose head-quarters
are at 14, John Street, Adelphi, can boast its victories, too, and
reckon up the lives saved by its gallant navy of life-saving craft,
and their life-risking not life-destroying crews.

Its roll of brave deeds bravely done in 1878, shows—

"A total of 471 lives rescued by the Society's Lifeboats, in addition to
17 vessels saved from destruction. In the same period the Lifeboat Insti-
tution voted rewards for saving 145 lives by fishing and other boats, making a
grand total of 616 lives saved last year, mainly through its instrumentality.
Altogether, since its formation, the Society has contributed to the saving of
26,051 shipwrecked persons, for which services it has granted 980 Gold and
Silver Medals, besides pecuniary awards to the amount of £56,850. The
character of these noble Lifeboat services has varied much, some having been
performed during the darkness of the night, others in the daytime ; but
nearly all have been rendered during stormy weather, which would have
prevented any ordinary open boat from accomplishing the rescue. Again, it
is most satisfactory to know that, notwithstanding the peril and exposure
incurred by the gallant crews, not a single life was lost last year from the 269
Lifeboats of the Society, although about 12,000 men were out in them on all
occasions."

And all this saving of life, with not one life lost in the act of
salvage, terrible as were the„enemies in whose teeth all these victories
were won !

It is something to be proud of—better—something to be thankful
for,—and in no way can our gratitude to the gallant salvors, and the
heads that station and equip them for their warfare, be shown, than,—
as they respond to the cry " Man the Lifeboat! "—by responding to
the cry "Money the Lifeboat! " for even the saving of life costs
money, though incalculably less than the destroying it.

Then let Punch, too, send round his cap and bells, in aid of the
work and wants of the National Lifeboat Institution!

NEW YEAR'S WISHES.
(By a Poor Relation.)

Wish my old Hat looked as new as it did this day last year.

Wish I knew where to buy another without paying for it.

Wish my Sunday Trousers would not bag so at the knees, although
I seldom kneel down on them now.

Wish that my Umbrella had not caught that awkward knack of
turning inside out when a whiff of wind gets under it.

Wish that Mr. Edisox would invent some indestructible clothing
for small children, and also some cheap and filling substitute for
butchers' meat.

Wish some rich young fellow of a generous disposition would fall
in love with our Jemima, and ask my leave to settle something
handsome on her parents.

Wish old Uncle Sktnfltnt would finish that Marsala, which he
always passes off instead of Sherry when I dine with him.

Wish that somebody or other would take a fancy to Augustus,
who really is a clever boy, and I am sure would prove a credit— to
anyone who would trust him.

Wish that something would turn up, in the mining way, or other-
wise, which would enable me to snap my fingers at my creditors.

Wish I could afford to take the children to the Pantomime, and
give myself the treat of an oyster-supper after it.

Wish that somebody would die, and leave me something worth
living for.

Wish I had the chance of getting something under Government.
Wish profoundly I may get it.

Another Bogey!

" In the impending revision of the import-scale, our own interests must be
our only guide."—Prince Bismarck.

Prestige, that re-vamped Bogey, so admired,

Calls up Reaction, for companion spectre ;
Retrograde folly with wild hope is fired,

Now Bismarck is Protection's sworn protector.
Since Interests become our only guide,

Bland Selfishness, to fools, displays fresh beauties,
Their faith in Duty having laid aside,

They mean henceforth to put their trust in Duties.

vol. lxxvi.

b