The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-06 00:00:00

" The success of the society's operations during the
preceding year, it will be seen ,has been exceeded by that
of the year j int past ; the new premiums in tho former
having been 19,1111. 11s. 5d., and in the latter
23,7481. 18s. 9d., making together 42,860/. 10s. 2d. in
the two years, without including any single risk or pre-
mium, of great amount, or entering upon amal-
gamations with other societies. Within the same
period a liberal bonus upon policies of three or
more years' standing has been declared and paid ; and,
in addition to the discharge of claims from deaths,
of working expenses and collateral charges, the
general assets of the society have been augmented by be-
tween fifty and sixty thousand pounds, the bulk of which
has been invested in the names of the society's trustees in
the Public Funds. Influenced by such evidences of pro-
sperity, the directors of the 'Gresham' thus prominently
draw the attention of the general meeting and the public
to the successful results that have been achieved.

"In order to transact, however, with the necessary
facility, a business so great and so rapidly progressing, it
became necessary, as stated in last year's report, either to
enlarge the society's present offices, by embracing the
option presented to the directors of including the adjoin-
ing premises, or to erect a Lew building. Having decided
on the former course, as not involving a removal from the
original place of business, and as entailing expense in a less
onerous form than theimmediate purchase of a new site and
erection of a new building might have necessitated the
directors have new to repot that the enlargement of the
premises has been effected, without stopping the current
business even for a single day, and procured for the Gre-
sham, at a comparatively moderate cost, as commanding,
and commodious offices for the transaction of business as
any Assurance Society can desire. To show the general
effect to parties residing at a distance, and how readily the
enlargement has been male to take the appearance of a
uniform building, the directors have caused a lithographic
sketch to be prepared, which they propose to issue with
the present report.
" An incidental feature of the year has been the prepa-
ration of the supplementary notices, now ready, of bonus
additions due upon policies upon which less than three an-
nual payments had been made at the declaration of 1855,
the deed of settlement reluiring a defined period to elapse
before the actual distribution upon such recent policies
could take place. The directors believe that the bonuses
upon such policies will be found to have been adjusted with
the same care and attention as upon policies of an earlier
date.

" The proposals offered during the past year have in-
cluded, as heretofore, both first-class lives and those only
insurable at increased ratas, or, as they have been termed,
`Declined Lives.' The bulk of the business, however,
actually transacted has teen with the first-class, the tot sl
number of proposals offered exceeding, it will be seen, by
no less than 522, the number finally completed.
" The accounts of the Sear have been already printed
ant circulatai, as reqdrad by the deed of settlement
among the shareholders. and having been carefully com-
pared with the books aim vouchers by the auditors, and re-
ported correct, are now submitted for approval and adop-
tion.

" The list of directors recommended by the board for
election, are the retiring directors, Messrs. Edward Solly,
William Tabor, and William Henry Thornthwaite, who
are re-eligible and again offer themselves for election.
"The auditors, in conformity with the deed of settle-
ment, retire at the close of the year, but being re-eligible,
again offer themselves for election for the ensuing year—
viz. Messrs. Ladbury end Whitelock, on behalf of the
sharihol,lers ; and Messrs. George Lowe, F.R.S., and
William Webb Venn, for the policy-holders.
"The directors having thus recited the general nature of
the business, in connection with which the meeting has
been convened, have only to reiterate the resolve of the
board, to extend, by every means in their power, the gone-
ral business of the society, and to justify and invite, by
their zeal and earnestness in its affairs, a continuance on
the part of the public of that confidence with which the
Gresham' has throughout been so largely favoured."
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said he need detain the meeting but for a very short time
while he performed so pleasing a duty. Like former
reports, the present one showed that prosperity con-
tinued to crown the efforts of the directori ; and, as the
document entered so fully into the affairs of the com-
pany, he felt there was really nothing for him to say.
He would therefore simply move "that the report just
read be received and adopted." •
Mr. LLOYD briefly seconded the motion.

The CHAIRIIAN then put the resolution to the meeting,
and declared it carried unanimously.
Mr. TYLER moved the next resolution, viz.—" That
the retiring directors, Messrs, Edward Sally, William
Tabor, and William aenry Thornthwaite, be re-elected.
The motion having been seconded, it was put to the
meeting by Mr. Beadnell, and carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks on behalf of his
brother directors, and assured the meeting that their
utmost energy would always be devoted to further the
objects of the society.

Mr. DA.VISS moved a vote of thanks to the auditors,
and that a sum of 50 guineas be added thereto.—Carried
unanimously.

Mr. TYLER moved the following resolution :—" That
G. H. Ladbury and William Whitelock, E<qs , be
elected auditors on the part of the eharehalderi, and
that George Lowe, F.R.S., and William Webb Venn,
E-cp., be elected auditors on the part of the policy-
holders."

Mr. KING said it afforded him great pleasura to second
the motion of Mr. Tyler.

Tie resolution was agreed to unanimously.
Thanks having been voted to the actuary (E. J.
Farren, Esq.), the solicitor (T. H. Devonshire, Esq.),
and the other officers of the society, the proceedinv,
which had throughout been marked by the utmort cor-
diality, terminated.

Mademoiselle Rachel, who was thought to be at
death's door some months ago, is not only still alive, but
all hopei of saving her are not abandoned. Her present
medical adviser, Dr. Bergonuier, has addressed the fol-
lowing bulletin to a Marseilles journal :—"Au Cannet,"
Oct. 31. Since the 27cb, Mademoiselle Ralhel's health
has slightly improved—she coughs and expectorates less
and breathes easier. Her pulse is at 96, Her appetite
is fir from being as good as could be wished, but her
state seems to be less dangerous than it was."
GRATIS.— TIIE BEST ATLAS ever published is how in course
of presentation with the Dispatch.—Maps issued previous to
the commencement of the series—August. 9, Canton River ;
August 23, India : sd. each, or to go free by post Gd. Oct.
4 (cammeucement of till series), Persia ; October 11, China ;
October 18, North-West Provinces of India ; October 25,
Australia ; November 1, Plan of Delhi : either of which may
be had wi,.11 the paper for the current or any future week, if
the paper bo out of print with which it was issued. The
issue of the Maps, &c., for the remainder of the year, will be
nearly as follows :—November 8, the Central Division o
India ; November 15, Punjaub ; November 22, The Northern
Half of the General Map of India ; November 29, A first
Specimen of our Maps of the English Counties ; December 6,
The Southern Half of the General Map of India; December
13, Scinde ; December 20, A i ivision of Indi, ; December
27, Plan of the City of Edinburgh ; and on January 3, 1858,
will be presented a splendid coloured double Map of Asia, 17
inches by 25. Price of the Dispatch, sd. ; stamped to go free
by post, 6d. Office, 139, Fleet-street.

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