24 NOVEMBER 1928, Page 3

* * In a letter about the Rye life-boat published

in the Times of Wednesday, Mr. Shane Leslie recalled the epigram of Nicarchus which may be translated, " It was a life-boat only in name, for those who embarked in it were washed ashore or to the under-world." That, if appropriate, is grim, so let us set beside it another well- known epigram from the Greek Anthology of which the late Lord Cromer made this paraphrase :-- " A sailor buried on this shore •

Bids you set sail. For many a gallant bark, when I was lost, Weathered the gale."

That is generously inspiring, and can one say more of it than that it is worthy of the life-boat men ? • * * *