The Sun.
London, England, 1848-03-30 00:00:00

THE STANDARD LIFE ASSURANCE
COMPANY.
ANNUAL REPORT, 1848.
The TWENTY - SECOND ANNUAL. GENERAL MEETING
of this Company took place on Tuesday, the 15th of February,
within the Company's Office, No 3, George-street Edinburgh.
GEORGE MOIR, Esq. Advocate, in the Chair.
The Report and Statements submittel by the Directors contained
a very satisfactory aeconnt of the progress of the Institution during
the year 1847. It was reported :
That the '
number of Policies for Life Assurance issued by the
Company from the 15th November, 1846, to 15th November,
1847, was 621.
That the Sums Assured during the same period, contained in
these Policies, amounted to 443,5781. 4s. I Id.
That the number of applications for Policies made to the Com-
pany, and from which the above transactions were selected,
was 804, containing proposals for Assurance to the extent of
591,6631. Sc.
That the Annual Revenue of the Company, as at 15th November,
1847, was 131,3161. 10s. 7d.
That the whole amount of assurance covered by the Company's
Policies, in force at 15th November, 1847, was 3,252,0901.
14s. 10d.
The Report then proceeded as follows :
" The past year has been marked by the most extraordinary fea-
tures as regards commercial affairs and general credit ; but, while
all classes of society, especially the mercantile community, and our
public institutions connected with the general affairs of commerce,
have felt the pressure of the times, the Life Assurance Institutions
of the country have stood unaffected by the crisis. frothing can tend
snore to extend confidence in these institutions than this result ; and
it is hoped they will always be found affording protection and dis-
pensing benefits to all connected with them, unaffected by those
periodical changes.
" Notwithstanding the unfortunate position of the country daring
the past year, the amount of new business transacted by this Com.*
patty has exceeded to a large amount the business of the previous
year. The claims during the year have been greater in proportion
than usual , bat when the increased mortality throughout the king-
dom generally is remembered, the Directors consider they have
reason to be well satisfied with the results."
After the Report and Statements were read, the Chairman con-
gratulated the meeting on the favourable position of the Company,
and its prospects generally, and again brought under notice the
most prominent natures in the Report. He
.drew attention to the
great increase of the business, the increase of the revenue, and the
rapid accumulation of the Company's Funds, which it appeared
HAD BEEN MORE THAN DOUBLED DURING THE LAST
FIVE YEARS.
The following Abstract, showing the new business transacted by
the Company annually since 1842, was referred to, as exhibiting, in
a marked degree, the growing estimation of the STANDARD in
public favour:—

Number of Corresponding Sum
Now Policies issued. Assured.
1843, New transactions .... 383 • • £348,135 17 1
1844, „ 91 .... 562 .. • • 387,381 0 0
1845, „ (Bonus year) •• . . 698
1846, „ ~ .... 592
1847, „ i., .... 621 ..
The meeting expressed entire satisfaction with the report and
statements ; and, after the election of new directors in the room of
those retiring by rotation, in aecordance with the Act of ?ornament,
the establishment of the Company for the ensuing year was declared
to be as follows :

GOVERNOR.

Ms Grace the DUKE of BUCCLEUCII and QUEENSBERItY.

DEPUTY-GOVERNOR.
The Right Hon. the EARL of ELGIN and KINCARDINE.
EDINBURGH.
ORDINARY DIRECTORS.
Humphrey Graham, Esq., W.S., 14, Atholl-crescent.
John Sligo, Esq., of Carmyle, 15, Drummond-place.
Alex. James Russell, Esq., C.s., 10, Walker-street.
William Wood, Req., Surgeon, 9, Darnaway-street.
William Keith, Esq., Accountant, 50, Castle-street.
John Robert Tod, Esq., W.S., 30, Moray-place.
John S. Newbigging, Esq., Sheriff-Clerk of Roxburghshire.
George Patton, Esq., Advocate, 38, Frederick-street.
Alex. Clapperton, Esq., Merchant, 128, Prince's-street.
Charles Pearson, Esq , Accountant, 128, George-street.
David Smith, Esq., W.S., 2, Ainslie-place.
Eagle Henderspn, Esq., Merchant, 16, Coates-creseent.
James Condie, Esq., Perth.
James Robertson, Esq., W.S., 28, Stafford-street.
James Hay, Esq., Merchant, Leith.
LONDON.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
The Right Hon. the Earl of ABERDEEN.
ORDINARY DIRECTORS.
Thomas Holdsworth Brooking, Esq., 2, Alderman's-walk.
David Laing Bum, Esq., 12, Kensington Peace-gardens.
Alex. Gillespie, Esq., 5, Gould-square.
John Lindsay, Esq., 26, Laurence Pountney-lane.
Alex. Macgregor, Esq., 31, Chester-street, Grosvenor-place.
John Scott, Esq., Moorgate-street Chambers.
Maziabine—William Thos. Thompson, Esq.
RESIDENT SECRETARIES.
London—Peter Ewart, Esq. I Dublin—Samuel Smyth), Egg,
Glasgow—William Hunter, Esq.
82, King William-street, London, March 1, 1848.

AN APPEAL to the ]
WIDOW of WILLIAM 1
commr.

PUBLIC in behalf of the
TIIO.II, Poet of Inverury.
[TUE.

Provost Thorns Mr. John Watson
Rev. George GiMilan Mr. James H. Ower
Rev. J. R. M'Gavin Mr. William Boyack
Dr. Arrot Mr. William Bett
Mr. James Westland Mr. James Chalmers, jun.
Mr. Patrick Watson Mr. Arthur Begg, jun.
Mr. Thomas Saunders.
TREASURER—Mr. Patrick Watson.
SECRETARY—Mr. William Boyne's.
The Committee appointed to raise a fund for the relief of the
Widow and Family of the late William Thom, the gifted but unfor-
tunate Poet of Inverury, beg leave briefly but earnestly to appeal to
the Public, more especially to the Public of Scotland, in behalf of the
trust which has been confided to them.
The name and genius of Thom are well known and universally ac-
knowledged ; many of the feeling and pathetic effusions of his muse
have been brought before the public, not only in a combined form,
but in various periodicals. His talents attracted the attention of the
ablest judges; and the Messrs. Chambers, in their Journal, have de-
voted a chapter to his autobiography, and to that favourable meed of
praise to which they considered his merits entitled.
The life of William Thom has, indeed, combined the vicissitudes of
a humble child of the Muses, having formed a scene of trials and dis-
appointments, accompanied by an overflowing share of poverty and
distress.
Many of his earliest and best years were passed at the Hawkhill
of Dundee—the remembrance of which seemed deeply impressed on
his mind ; for thither, to use his own emphatic language, he wished
to return, like a bird that flutters round her forsaken nest, to spend
his latter days in comparative peace and quiet.
Ills wishes were fulfilled, for not many months ago he did return
from his wanderings, debilitated and impoverished, and breathed his
last on Monday, the 28th of February. He has left a widow and three
infant children, the youngest but five months old, totally unprovided
for ; and it has therefore been resolved to raise a fund, in order, if
possible, to afford them permanent assistance. A. Committee has
been appointed, who have cheerfully undertaken this duty, and al-
ready they are happy to announce that their call has been responded
to in a prompt and liberal manner. Lord Kinnaird, Lord Jeffrey,
Messrs. Douglas Jerrold and Robert Chambers, and many others,
have spontaneously sent their contributions ; and it is earnestly
hoped that the charitable and the admirers of native genius and un-
obtrusive merit will support and encourage the laudable object which
the Committee have in view.
Dundee, March 10, 1848.
Contributions will be received by any of the Members of Commit-
tee ; and at the ships of Messrs. Chalmers, Shaw, and Middleton,
Booksellers, and Mr. Mills, Perfumer, Dundee.
DEATH OF WILLIAM THOM, THE INVERURY POET.
(To the Editor of the "Dundee Courier.")
Dundee, February 29, 1848.

Sir,—The painful task has been deputed to me of announcing to
the public the death of William Thom, the Inverury poet. For
some time past he had been in delicate and declining health ; and
his diseased state of body was doubtless aggravated by the uncer-
tainty of his circumstances, and the consequent anguish of his
honourable and sensitive mind. Yesterday, in our city, at half-
past eleven a.m., be departed this life. lle has left behind him
something more than a name—some true and beautitul strains.
which, as " a thing of beauty is a joy for ever," the world will not
willingly sutler, like the inscription on the coffin, to be buried in
the tomb. lie has left behind him, alas: something of yet ten-
derer and mere mournful interest—a widow and three children,
th 7 eldest of whom is only four years, and the youngest but a few
months old. These are " utterly destitute," and but for the kind-
ness of one or two private friends, might have been cast out ere
this to the charity of the streets. I make no appeal in behalf of
the poet himself; " after life's fitful fever he sleeps well." lie has
found what the most troubled and tempest-tossed wanderer will at
last find, and which to him was peculiarly grateful—rest. Nor will
I indulge or express any vindictive feelings as to the treatment
which he received while yet alive. A true poet, he met with truly
poetic usage. Ile was caressed, hut not fed ; as if one could sup
on incense, or as if one public dinner could keep a man alive for
years But I would bespeak general sympathy in behalf of his
destitute family. I would implore every lover of literature—
every one who has derived pleasure front the departed poet's
lyrics, or from the simple story of his life—to prove their pleasure
and their gratitude true by some more substantial evidence than ex-
clamations or tears. I would call especially upon those who saw
hint at our late Watt Festival, and heard almost his latest breath
given forth in those brief, broken, but thrilling accents—accents how
far superior to the measured cadences of rhetoric—to testify by
generous deeds their sense of melancholy satisfaction that theirs was
the privilege of meeting with and hearing hint for the last time.
No time ought to be lost. Indeed, no time has been lost. Intim.
tions to the above effect either have been, or are immediately to be,
dispatched to Douglas Jerrold, Charles Dickens, Lord Jeffrey, and
others. But as Dundee has had the honour of containing his death-
bed, let us follow the start we have accidentally gained by instant,
active, strenuous efforts in behalf of his widow and his fatherless
bairns.
Messrs. Chalmers, Middleton, and Shaw, Booksellers, and Mr.
Mills, Perfumer, have kindly undertaken to receive donations.
The smallest stuns will be welcomed.
I am, Sir, yours truly,
GEORGE GILFILLAN.
The last verses of the late William Thom, written shortly before
his death :

SONO OF THE TP.VEILERS IN DEAN VALE.
Tuno—" Miller o' Dee."
While wo laugh awl sing, in this happy ring,
With a bright and a brotherly glee,
May we never forget that the sun bath set
On the homes of misery.

For oh ! it may be that this chill Might wind
Sweeps round some fireless hearth,
Freezing the heart of the homeless ono,
With never a friend en earth.

Then aye, as we sing, may we closer cling,
In our bright and brotherly glee ;
Yet never forget that the sun may set
On the homes of misery.

Man was not made for this world alone,
The world was lent to man ;
'Tis a debt wo owe to Heaven, you ltuow,
Then pay it as well as you eat:.
Now winter rides mad in !As carriage of snow,
With his pelting min and his hail ;
May it never said that hunger and woo
Meld abiding in bonny Dean Yale.

Then aye, as we sing, may we closer cling,
In our bright and brotherly glee,
And never forget that the suu may set
On the homes of misery.
W. TIIOSI.

RESTORATION OF THE HAIR
" To Messrs. A. Rowlas.dand Son, 20, Hatton-garden, London
Linton, Cambridge, October 25, 1847.
" GENTLEMEN,—A striting instance of the efficacy of your Macas-
sar Oil in the restoration of the hair has just come under my notice.
The person alluded to is a young man named Ilaylock. of Ashdon,
near this place, whose entire bead of hair came off by some unac-
countable means. Be purchased of me several different popular pre-
parations, which he regularly and faithfully used, but without effect-
ing the least apparent change, At last I advised him to try a bottle
of your Macassar Oil ; and, on Friday last he communicated to me
the pleasing Intelligence of the reappearance of a thick head of hair.
You can make what use you please of this, and refer inquirers to,
" Yours respectfully,
" J. SERGEANT, Bookseller, &c."