A blue-book on sea-casualties to British vessels from July 1, 1882 to June 30, 1883, contains the Report of the Marine Department of the Board of Trade, showing that the total number of vessels belonging to the United Kingdom to which casualties occurred (total losses and serious and minor casualties) was 5409. This is higher by one hundred and eleven than in 1881-82, when it was 5298, and higher than any year since 1876-77, when it was 5801. The number of total losses was eight hundred and ten (tonnage 277,490). This is lower than the previous two years, but higher than in either of the four years preceding. The decrease in the last two years is in sailing-vessels (classed and unclassed) and in unclassed steamships. There is, however, a large increase (twenty-five per cent.) in the total losses of classed steamships. The number of serious casualties not amounting to total losses was 1268, and was lower than any of the previous six years, except 1879-80, when it was slightly higher. The decrease is entirely confined to sailing-vessels. The number of steamships (five hundred and seventy-one) to which serious casualties occurred is larger than in any of the previous six years, and the tonnage of the vessels affected is nearly one hundred and fifty thousand more than in 1876-77. From 1877-78 there is a steady annual rise in serious casualties to steamships from four hundred and six in 1877-78 to five hundred and seventy-one in 1882-83. In 1876-77 they were four hundred and ninety-three. The loss of life in vessels belonging to the United Kingdom was 2501 in 1882-83, or seven hundred and seventy-six less than in 1881-82, but was more than the loss in each of the five years preceding 1881-82, and was three hundred and thirty-one more than the average for the six years. Of these 2501 lives, 1463 were lost in missing vessels. The number of missing ships was one hundred and fifty-two, namely: Sailing-ships, 133; tonnage, 32,995; lives lost, 1080: steamships, 19; tonnage, 14,626; lives lost, 383—total lives lost, 1463. ‘YES.’ A little rain, The sun again, A shadow; A summer day, Some new-mown hay, A meadow. A girlish face, A matchless grace, And beauty; We spend the day In making hay— Sweet duty. Some fading flowers, Some happy hours, But fleeting. A week of rain, And then again A meeting. One quick shy look, A rippling brook, Some clover; A sky of gold, The story old, A lover. A fair sweet maid, A short word said; What is it? I try my fate, And not too late To miss it. The years have gone, And still loves on That lover; He loves always, As days and days Pass over. A loving wife, A long, long life Together, Have made him bless That shy sweet ‘Yes’ For ever. NORA C. USHER. * * * * *