An Efficient Life-raft

An Euglish journal describes as a novelty a iiie-mft in limitad use on Euglish vessels, with the remark tbat so simple a levice t'or saving Me should bo luanufao;med in quantity. The rafts are naarly oval in i'ui'in, tlia periphery er sidos buiig a baskot-work tube of strong ratan, iwo feet in diameter, inclosing water,ight tibos of neaily the sairedimonsions, jut, lor greaier security, divided into ■ight or ten seutions. These inner tubes no alsu of busket-work coveied with stout cauvas, reudered waterproof and lir-tight tiy a composition of grrar durability. The fluor of the rai't is of woven ratan, thiough the interstices of which ;he water niay pass freely ; two or more seats of the same general construction are lashed to gronimets fixed to tho Hoor, and arranged tor the stowage of provisions The raft beingexnetly of the sume fuim on both sides, if it 6hould fall bottom up in loweriusj, the seats and other equipments can (by ïnoans of lines arranged tor the purpose) be easily shifted. A riband or tender of hard wood passes arouud tho outer circumforence of the raft, secured by copper wire ; similar rib;mds on the top and bottom of the tubes unswt-r for gunwales, and are fitted with grommets for the oars, and with buckets to sustain persons who may be in the water. Baoyant tenders of a construction similar to the ruft tubes are alíio prepared for Ufe and surf boats, and are of such strength as to resist any amount of concussion, lessening greatly the riak in lowering the boat, or in case of capsize in breakers, at the same time adding largely to its buoyaucy. The wifo of a Motuouist minister in Tunnessee lias beeu seriously ill tor some time, but, htiys a Stratbern paper iu au Bouucing Ihu fict "liopes are entertaincd thut shu will recover." And then it adds " Let him (tiie Liiijband) Uave the syuijiathy and prayerg ot' hia brethren in thii. huur of afniction and disoouiagement."