f 



17 



future there will perhaps be uo inore perplexing, aud yet no 

 more fascinating, figure among the eminent men of the nine- 

 teenth century, than the dual-minded poet and man of letters, 

 some of whose characteristics have here been imperfectly and 

 inadequately indicated. 



LIFEBOATS— PAST AND PRESENT. 



Bij J. E. STAFFORD, A.M.I.C.E. January 26th, 1886. 



Mr. Stafford gave a detailed history of lifeboats, naming the 

 various inventors, and describing the special aud salient qualities 

 of their lifeboats. Stress was laid upon the qualities necessary, 

 such as great lateral stabihty, speed against heavy seas, ready 

 discharge of water, self-righting capabihty, strength, aud space 

 for the storage of passengers. The various encouragements 

 afforded to inventors, and the endeavours of the Eoyal National 

 Lifeboat Institution to secure a boat combining the requisite 

 qualities were recorded ; and Mr. Stafford referred to a number 

 of experiments and casualties which had served the useful pur- 

 pose of perfecting the construction of the boats. Statistics of 

 the work of the noble Institution which has been instrumental 

 in saving so many lives upon our coasts were given, and Mr. 

 Stafford's paper led to practical results in contributions from 

 those present to the Society's funds. The understanding of the 

 structure of lifeboats was rendered easy by the exhibition of a 

 number of capitally prepared diagrams. 



THE THREE SISTERS OF HAWORTH. 



By FRED. J. GRANT. February 2nd, 1886. 



When it is remembered that Haworth is only twelve miles 

 from Burnley, and that the little stream which flows at the foot 

 of the hill on which Haworth stands takes its rise from the hill 

 which greets the people of Burnley as they look where the rising 

 sim peeps over their own Boulsworth, and when the fact is re- 

 called that the last visit the eldest of the sisters ever paid was 

 made to the hospitable mansion of Gawthoi-pe, and that in going 

 there, and retm-ning thence, she would pass through the streets 

 of the town, sufficient reason has been adduced for the selection 



