The Sun.
London, England, 1868-11-26 00:00:00

NOTES UPON LIFE ASSURANCE.

A well-written and important pamphlet has just
been issued by the Rev. John Hodgson, M.A., for-
merly Vicar of St. Peter's, in the Isle of Thanet,
and now secretary to the Clergy Mutual Life Assur-
ance Society, entitled "Notes upon Life Assurance."
The object of the work is to show what life assur-
ance really is, whence it is, and bow it is ;
more eApecially with reference to the Clergy
Mutual Society. This society was founded
in 1829 for the purpose of affording the clergy an
opportunity of insuring upon the most bcneficial
terms, and in every form suitable to their particu-
lar circumstances. That the right course was
struck out at first is amply proved by the solid and
substantial position the society now enjoys, stand-
ing, as it does, amongst the best and safest
institutions of the present time. From the first
everything has been open and above board,
so it has continued, and the wisdom of such a policy
is shown by the fact that without the aid of a single
agent to seek out new business, or the expense of a
single shilling for what is called agency or commis-
sion, the society has now an annual income that en-
titles it to the greatest confidence. The pamphlet
now under notice is addressed more particularly
to the clergy ; and here it may be remarked how
few are thoroughly acquainted with the principles of
life assurance, or able to form a judgment as to the
comparative merits of the various schemes in rela-
tion to it; but a careful perusal of Mr. Hodgson's
pamphlet will show m the clearest possible light the
importance of the subject to those who have no
capital either in reversion or expectancy, and hav-
ing done that very few will rise from the perusal
of the little book without making a resolve to avail
themselves of the writer's advice, and at once taking
steps to join a society offering such advantages to
them its " the Clergy Mutual."

MISS BATEMA.N.—Our readers will bear in mind
the fact that this gifted lady's engagement draws rapidly
to a close, and that great as are the audiences that nightly
throng the Haymarket Theatre, " Leah " can only be
played a few nights longer, as on Monday, December 7,
Miss Bateman will appear in a new play written by the
same author (Dr. Mosenthal), entitled " Pietra."
SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY, EXETER-HALL.—
Ilanders "Israel in Egypt" will be performed, under the
direction of ?dr. Costa, to-morrow evening, by special de-
sire of their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and
Princess of Prussia. The performance will commence at
half-past 7 o'clock.
THE NATIONAL CHORAL SOCIETY.—This great
institution, consisting of nearly 600 of the most efficient
choralists of London, announce the opening of a ninth
season on Wednesday next, with a performance, for the
first time in Exeter Hall, of Dr. Sterndalo Bennett's new
cantata, " The Woman of Samaria." In addition to which
Mendolssohn's favourite cantata, "The First Walpurgis
Night," will be performed, and a selection from Ilandel's
"Acis and Galatea." The band and chorus will number
nearly seven hundred performers. Mr. G. W. Martin, the
founder of the society, will occupy his usual place as con-
ductor. Miss Lucy Franklein, Mr. G. Perron, Mr. Lewis
Thomas, and other artists will take the solo parts. There
are a few vacancies in the choir; particulars of mem-
bership may be obtained at the offices, 14 and 15, Exeter-
hall.
MADAME TIISSAUD'S EXHIBITION.—The annual
Smithfield Club Cattle Show is announced to take place
the early part of next month, when, we feel assured, that
the many visitdrs thereto will, as hitherto, patronise the
far-famed wax-work exhibition in Baker-street, where
innumerable life-size portrait-models have, since last year,
been added; and among which we may mention those of
the great African explorer Dr. Livingstone, Lord Napier,
of Magdala, the late Emperor Theodore, of Abyssinia, the
celebrated Madame Rachel, &c., &c.
. _

PRIMARY EDUCATION (IRELAND).—The Royal
Commission on Primary Education resumed their sittings
on Tuesday, the 24th inst., at the offices of the Commis-
.sion, Upper Sackville-street, Dublin. There were pre-
Mr. Gibson, Mr Stokes, sad
sent—the Earl of Dunraven, the Bishop of Meath, Lord
Clonbrock, Sir R. Kane, Master Brooke, Rev. Dr. Wilson,
Rev. B. M. Cowie, Mr. Dense,
Ppruonfenses, reowr
eSuliin attendance.ivan. The secretaries, Messrs. May and
The following officers at Chatham garrison have
been granted leave of absence by the Duke of Cam-
bridge until the dates named : —Lieutenant-Colonel
E. W. Ward, Royal Engineers, till the 31st of De-
cember; Lieutenant W. J. M'Cartney, Royal En-
gineers, till the 14th of December ; and Lieutenant
H. Everitt, Royal Marine Artillery, till the 20th of
December.

The reductions in the Government establish-
ments, Royal Asenal, which have been going on
for the past two months, have been suspended, the
men being put upon short time, and consequently
less pay, leaving off work at the dinner hour on Fri-
day and not resuming it again until the Monday
morning following. The amount of wages thus
reduced must form a considerable item in the
estimates voted for the manufacturing departments
for the financial year terminating on the 31st of
March next.

The two companies of the 46th Regiment, sta-
tioned for some time at Pembroke Dock, have left
for Winchester, to there join the head-quarters of
the Regiment just returned from India.
Capt. Fraser, 14th Regiment, has assumed the
command of the troops at Landguard Fort, Har-
wich, vice Capt. Miller, 48th Regiment, who has
rejoined his depot at Colchester. Lieut. Hollings-
worth and 103 men, 6th Regiment, Lieut. Powell,
Ensign Pollard, and 41 men, 96th Regiment, have
proceeded from Colchester via Stratford for Ports-
mouth, for conveyance to India. This draught was
expected to IMO Portsmouth yesterday.