NORTHERN LIGHT-HOUSES, COMMISSIONERS The body corporate which has under its mangagement the whole of the light houses of Scotland and isle of Man. The body was first constituted by act of parliament 26 Geo. III., but has been frequently since the subject of legislation. The light-houses of the isle of Man were assigned to it in 1815. By the Merchant shipping act, 1854, the commissioners are so far limited in their power, that any proposal for a new light-house must receive the approval of the Trinity house, London, and the outlay must he sanctioned by the board of trade; the cost, however, is borne by the imperial lighthouse fund. The commissioners act wholly in virtue of office, and give their services gratuitously. The body consists of the lord advocate, solicitor-general, lord provost and senior bailie of Edinburgh; lord provost and senior bailie of Glasgow; lord provost of Aberdeen; provosts of Inverness, Camp belton, Dundee and Greenock; the sheriffs of the following counties: Aberdeen, Argyle, Ayr, Berwick, Bute, Caithness and Sutherland, Edinburgh, Elgin, Fife, Forfar, Ilad dington, Inverness. Kincardine, Lanark, Orkney and Shetland. Renfrew, Ross, Wig
town. and Kirkcudbright. The business of the commissioners is conducted at ari office in Edinburgh, with the assistance of a secretary and consulting engineers. In 1877 the number of light-houses under the charge of the commission was 60, beside buays and beacons. The commissioners own a steam vessel, the Pharos, for supplying stores to the several light-houses, and performing annual visits of inspection. The whole system of northern lights is remarkably well organized, the Merit of which is in a great measure due to the late Robert Stevenson (q.v.). A royal commission appointed some years ago to inquire into 4W7management Irish7and. Scottish-dight-houses, has acknowledged that thD "Scotch light-honSes are in the best state of general efficiency, the English next, and the Irish third."