The Book of the Lifeboat. By A. L. Hayden. (The
Pilgrim Press. 3s. 6d.)—We shall put in the beginning of our notice some striking figures which will indicate how large and how worthy of attention is the subject with which Mr. Hayden deals in this volume. In the period between 1824 (when the Lifeboat Institu- tion was founded) and 1908 a total of 47,983 lives have been saved in rescues of which the Institution has taken cognisance. This has not all been done by the lifeboat proper. There are occasions on which this is not available, and the various craft known as "shore boats" have to be called in,—Grace Darling's memorable exploit was achieved in a "little open rowing boat belonging to the lighthouse." Since 1853, when the two cleeses of boats were distinguished in the records of the Institution, the numbers have been, for the lifeboat 28,225. for the others 11,589. It is a signifi- cant fact that in the first year the figures were 97 and 581, in 1908 486 and 152. From this we see how the lifeboat system has been developed. There are now on the coasts of the United Kingdom about 270 stations; the total of motor or steam boats is nine. This, we may say, might be increased with advantage, and of course would be if funds were forthcoming. Behind these figures lies a great store of heroic effort and self-sacrifice. From these it is quite impossible to choose ; but we may assure the reader that wherever he may open the book he will find something that cannot fail to go to his heart. One detail which may be new to some readers we may mention. It occurs in the rescue of the crew of the Aynthia ' by the 'Cape of Good Hope,' belonging to Runs- wick Bay. The persons rescued were the captain, his wife, a North Sea pilot, and a crew of thirty-three Malays and Lascars. It is the tradition of the service that the coloured men are to be rescued first of the crew. This is indeed the noble aspect of the pride of race.
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