Tus meeting of the Shanghai Shipwrecked and Distressed Mariners'
Society held at the British Consulate last Monday week, calls, we think, for some attention on the part of the public. There can be no doubt that in an important shipping-place like Shanghai some organisation for the relief of those who have suffered loss through shipwreck is, if not an absolute necessity, at least a highly desirable institution. Cases of undeniable hardship are constantly being brought to our notice. A few weeks ago we, published in account of the sufferings and adventures undergone by some of the crew of the brig Mary, who, after being knocked about from one place to another for several months, luckily mannaged.to get to Chefoo, where they were generously provided for snd sent on here, Within the last few days three ships have been lost in our waters, the Artemisia, the Empress, and the Jessie Burrill, the crews of which are said to be in a state of utter destitution. A sum of $120 was voted at the recent meeting to be applied to the relief of the two former; but as the entire balance in hand amounted to only Tls. 260.95 it will be seen that there cannot be much left for any fature contingencies. Now here is a clear case for the exercise of some systematic benevolence. Something should be done for the sailors. Lhe Society which exists at prosont is excellent as far as it goes, but it should, we think, be regarded only in the ight ofa nucleons. It is now not sufficient. ly extensive, or sufficiently rich. The idea of asking the incumbent of the Cathedral to preach a sermon in aid of the fands is an excellent one, and will no doubt be entertained and acted upon, The other places of worship will, we are sure, ce-operate, and if all the collections are made on the same Sunday once a year there need be no apprehension that the coffers of the Society will ever be absolutely empty. Private donations, and annual subscriptions on the of mercantile houses, especially of large shippisig and surance firms, may, we should think, be fairly relied on; and this would give the Society an income on which it might be able to count with some degree of certainty. The object is an inter. national one, and support may theres fore be expected from representatives of all countries. Another point to be considered is the matter of clothing.
it to conclude that when 9 man is shipwrecked ho loses every stitch ho has excepting the things he happens to have on at the time of the disdater. Contributions of cast-off clothing are therefore earnestly requested by the Society. It is difficult to eay what becomes of one's old clothes in China.
The inevitable "boy" probably goto the benefit of them in some way or other, the mafoo apparently coming in for all the hats as his especial port site, and outting @ particularly grote:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.