The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-10 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

ON THE LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES—
their National and Social Advantages—their Principles
and Practice. By George J. Soper.
The life offices have long needed such a familiar
and useful little work as the pamphlet before us. It
is the right key to the mysteries of the actuary, and
premising that it also furnishes a list of all the life
offices existing at the commencement of the year.
with their tabular charges and divisions, we cannot
do better than extract the following epitome of its
contents from the " Introduction."
" We have endeavoured to show that the field for life
assurance has been much enlarged of late; that it will
continue to enlarge with the multiplication of the middle
or enterprising classes, the progressive advance of the
industrious mechanics, and the division of property
among the aristocratical orders; that there are no
grounds for apprehending, under any possible circum-
stances, a crash amongst the life offices, as amongst the
railroads, or other speculative undertakings, for the busi-
ness investments of such life offices do not partake of a
speculative' character—even a panic in the money
world, which brings destruction upon other interests,
must benefit the life offices, by raising the value of
money, hich is their only stock in trade.' That
character, or moral standing in the directors
and officers is the chief reliance, as the re•
sponsibilities are mainly dependent on the careful and
honourable application of the money received as pre-
miums, and other investments, not merely in the amount
of the subscribed or pledged capital, for such capital
must be considered only as a collateral security against
possible, not probable contingencies—all such probabili-
ties are, in fact, calculated and included in the charge
for premiums, and the deposits for annuities, &c. That
the true life-risk being familiarly known by the pub-
lished experiences of the old offices, no imposition in
that respect could be attempted without immediate ex-
posure. And in the event of life offices failing to get
business, and resolving, in consequence, to close their
establishments, the holders of policies therein run little
risk, for under such circumstances the office liabilities
would, of course, be comparatively small in amount, and
the pledged capital, with the paid-up premiums, would
be ample security. Even in the worst case, the failure
of a mutual assurance company, whose only property is
the subscribed premiums, there could be no considerable
loss, except through the possible dishonour and dis-
honesty of the directors and officers, to guard against
which every caution and circumspection previously to
embarking in any life office is strongly recommended.
That mere class associations or particular business
or professional offices, are a departure from the
principle on which the mortality tables are founded.
as these tables are calculated by the common law of
mortality, and the life risk is known to vary in different
classes and occupations—that, therefore, the acknow-
ledged class, or professional offices, must be considered,
to a certain extent, as experimental. That it would be
wise and prudent for life offices never to raise a question
of doubt or difficulty in the case of claims from prema-
ture death, unless justified on the strongest grounds, for
as such chances are an actually recognised risk, and the
onus of detecting imposition fairly rests with the office,
a failure to establish a fraud would be highly injurious.
That nevertheless, as such frauds are often attempted
to be practised, and as successful imposition wrongs the
honest insurer by affecting his proportion of the profits
or participations, if not his real security, every indivi-
dual concerned in such office is decidedly interested to
detect imposition, and to see it exposed and punished
when detected. The proprietary, the mutual, and mixed
offices are defined, and their relative bearings explained.
Accumulative, or deposit assurance, is considered in its
practical application, and we conclude with a glance at
the progress and peculiarities of the existing offices."

GILBERT'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY.
No. IX.
This extraordinary publication proceeds with all
its original ability—extraordinary both in extent of
information, neatness of typography and moderation
of price.

GILBERT'S MODERN ATLAS OF THE
WORLD. Part V.
This serial is one of those aptly dedicated to the
million. It will afford endless instruction as an ac-
curate geographical reference, and endless amuse-
ment to those who relish imaginary travelling.

LOWE'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.
A most suggestive subject is selected for the
opening paper to this month's magazine—" Chris-
tianity and Railways." At first the title might be
regarded as a forced antithesis, but intrinsically the
article is one of the deepest importance. It will be
perused with interest, as will most of the other con-
tributions.

ROYAL GEMS FROM THE GALLERIES OF

EUROPE. Pari V.
This splendid series of engravings, copied from the
canvass of eminent masters by the needles of eminent
engravers, is not merely as excellent as upon its
commencement, but is infinitely more merito-
rious. " The Jew's Harp," by Sir David
Wilkie, is capital. The cross hatching is clear
and neat, and the effect of the whole true to the
original. The player looks the vibrations of the
harp's tongue ! A most . interesting picture
of Napoleon in the prison of Nice, 1794,
followq Tt is a clevpr woprc..ntation of not
the least singular or romantic incident in
the history of the greatest of men. " Going to the
Ferry," by Wouvermans, is an engraving worthy of
accompanying the two preceding ones ; the original
painting is too notoriously admirable to require any
commendation.

THE PEOPLE'S JOURNAL. Part VII.
With this seventh part concludes the first volume
of this admirable periodical. The public will cherish
such an intellectual weekly organ, if it can discri-
minate—which we believe. To the eminent writers,
the accomplished editor, and the enterprising pub-
lisher, we tender our congratulations on the prosecu-
tion of their "labour of love" so far, and our ac-
knowledgments for the pleasure and information they
have afforded us in so doing.

TIME TABLES, ON A NEW AND SIMPLI-
FIED PLAN. By Thomas Reader.
These tables show by inspection, without any cal-
culation, the number of days from any given day in
the year to any other day, and will therefore won-
derfully facilitate all operations connected with the
discounting of bills, and the calculation of interest
on banking and current accounts ; and from their
simplicity of arrangement, facility of reference, and
extensive applicability, cannot but be of the greatest
service in all cases where calculations of time are re-
quired. Indeed, no counting-house can be considered
as completely furnished if these tables are not to be
found on its shelves.

KNIGHT'S MONTHLY VOLUME. Part 111.
This part consists of a reprint of Lord Brougham's
two celebrated discourses; the first, on the Objects,
Advantages, and Pleasures of Science, which was
originally published as the introductory treatise to the
" Library of Useful Knowledge ;" the second, on the
Objects, Pleasures and Advantages of Political Know-
ledge, which was published at a later period in an in-
troductory treatise to Lord Brougham's " Political
Philosophy."

RETURN OF HER MAJESTY AND

- - - ---
THE COURT TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT.
PORTSMOUTH, SEPT. 9.—Soon after nine o'clock this
moraing, the royal yacht Victoria and Albert, with the
royal standard flying, and accompanied by the Fairy,
Black Eagle, and Garland steamers, was observed stand-
ing round Egypt Point, West Cowes, and immediately
after the batteries at Cowes Castle and Fort Monkton
fired royal salutes, and the vessels of the Yacht Club
began to decorate with flags. At nine o'clock the Vic-
toria and Albert anchored off Trinity Wharf, and the
royal barge being hoisted out, Lord Adolphus Fitz-
clarence had the honour to steer her Majesty, Prince
Albert. their Royal Highnesses the Princess Royal and
Prince of Wales, with some of the royal suite, to the
shore, and her Majesty's carriages being in readiness,
the Queen and the royal party stepped in, and were
driven immediately to Osborne House. At half-past
nine o'clock the royal standard was displayed on the
tower in the grounds. The ladies of her Majesty's
suite, with Earl Spencer and Lord Palmerston, and the
equerries and attendants, and their baggage, were dis-
embarked without delay from the four steamers, and
those vessels will come into the harbour to coal and pre-
pare for any further service that her Majesty may re-
quire of them. The Black Eagle will probably go to
Devonport to attend on the Admiralty.

COURT CIRCULAR.
His Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar
left town yesterday morning for Cashiobury Park,
Herts, the residence of her Majesty the Queen Dowager.
Her Royal Highness the Princess of Prussia, accom-
panied by his Excellency the Chevalier Bunsen, the
Earl of Denbigh, and the ladies and gentlemen of her
suite, partook of a dejeuner in the Tower of London on
Monday afternoon, on the return of her Royal Highness
from her excursion on the Thames.
The Earl of Elgin had an interview with Earl Grey
yesterday at the Col9nial-office.

- The Right Hon. Sir George Grey left town on Tues-
day evening, on a visit to the lion. Locke King, at his
residence, Woburn, Chertsey.
Lady Montagu has left Farrance's Hotel, for her seat,
Ditton Park, Windsor.

The indefatigable Joseph Ady has selected a new
sphere of action, he has determined to practice on the
innocent credulity of the Templars. We have just
seen a letter directed to a barrister, stating that the
undersigned is able to inform him of something to his
advantage, value 1,0001, and upwards, on receipt of
twenty shillings for his cost and trouble, signed Joseph
orlkv-i
sthtreth usual notice that
ete
, Charlotte-street,
all postages must be paid. It appears that the various
Ady,whi t
echttpei
and concluding
difficulties in which he has been placed have not damped
his ardour, nor deterred him from the pursuit of his
accountant,No's'
York-street,
favourite practice. Ile must be sharper than the needles
manufactured in his vicinity if he succeeds in extract-
ing anything from the pockets of the class towards
whom he has now directed his attentions.
The Lincoln Conservatives state that the agent of
Mr. Seely has discovered that their notices of objection
Were served a day too late, and that consequently they
will be inoperative. We understand that the claims and
9b.itcti9A 4so AOTeryUlWae/M•—cconkfdge4(lvertiaer.