The Elder Brethren, 31 in number, are chosen from the Younger. No one can offer himself as a candidate if he has not first undergone an examination, and served for at least four years as captain on board a Queen’s ship or a merchant-vessel. On his election he pays £30 as a contribution to the poor-box, and an equal sum for a complimentary dinner. The Elder Brethren, however, are divided into honorary and active members. From a very early period, the Company recognized the advantage of including in its ranks the most illustrious living Englishmen, even though they should in no wise be concerned with navigation. In 1673, the Bishop of Rochester, having preached before the Corporation on Trinity Thursday, was admitted a member. For seventeen years William Pitt occupied the honourable position of Master, which was afterwards filled by William IV., when Duke of Clarence. Wellington, Prince Albert, and Lord Palmerston, formerly belonged to the Corporation; and, at present, the Prince of Wales, the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, and Earl Russell, are among its members, while the Duke of Edinburgh officiates as Master. These honorary members, limited to eleven, do not engage in the administrative duties of the Trinity House; but they add to its dignity, and serve to connect it with the highest classes of English society. In fact, it would be difficult to name an association which is more truly national in character. The twenty active members, on whom the real burden of the work of the Corporation rests, are experienced captains of men-of-war or merchant-ships, who have retired from service. They are formed into six committees, each of which has its separate functions; for, in addition to its superintendence of the lighting of our coasts, the Trinity Board examines our pilots, and delivers them their certificates; watches over the ballasting of ships in the Thames; establishes and keeps in order the various sea-marks; examines the scholars of Christ’s Hospital, who are intended for a maritime career; collects the revenues; and superintends the boarders in the houses of refuge which belong to the Corporation. Its charters, moreover, confer upon it the right of punishing seamen for mutiny, ill conduct, or desertion; but this power is now-a-days never exercised. * * * * * The story of our two other Corporations may be briefly told. The _Commission of Northern Lights_, incorporated in 1786, by an Act of George III., is composed of two magistrates appointed by the Crown, of the sheriffs of the sea-board counties, of the provosts of certain royal burghs, and of the provost of Greenock. * * * * * The _Board of Ballast of Dublin_, which has under its charge the lightage of the Irish coast, consists of merchants, bankers, magistrates, railway directors; and the only seaman associated with them is a coast-guard officer. It is subordinate to the Board of Trade.