The Sun.
London, England, 1819-12-13 00:00:00

'llll,-, AIIKETS.

CORN-EXMIANGP., DVC. 13.—Our Market was
but thinly supplied with Wheat this morning, and
that front Eisex by land carriage samples, hav-
ing no fresh arrivals in consequence of the seve-
rity of the frost, which has obi,tructed all internal
navigation, and owing to which very little busi-
ness was done, and sales of Wheat and Barley

very heavy, yet superfine samples obtained last
Nionday's prices ; but all o'her sorts are full 29.
per quarter lower, and the lute; ior descriptions of
Barley quire unsaleable ; Oats fully support last
week's prices, as well as White Peas; but Beans
were dull sale, and rather cheaper.

SMITHFIELD MARKET, Dn, 13. There was an excellent
supply in the Market this niciruing• of all kinds of prime CO-
tie, but the prices remain as per last week, and, according
to appearance they will he higher ; Mutton, Veal, and Pork,
the prices are as per our last quotation.—ln the Hay Market
there is not any difference in price ; Straw and Clueer the
same as per last went.

Tun THEATRF.—The Coml'd!' of Errors, not
the most successful effort of our 2reat dramatic
Bard, :vas revived on Saturday at Covtll.-Garden
Theatre It is so g-rosidy improbable that it re-
golf-et! all the aid which the Mlnag'crs have gi, en
to, it in befiLlinl scenery, and well select,;(l music.
That ins may hear a strong resemblance each
other may be admitted, but that brothers, though
horn in the same pl are, and living for may years
in different countries, should hai,e dresses exactly
similar, is too absurd for beliq, We have not
room to dilate upon this revival, and thrrefore,
Oat, only add, that it tows well sustained by joN.F.,,
OURUSF.T. LisToN. arid FAREIEN, Mi3s TREK, :ind
Misa STPTIIPIIS, A10)00 411 the miusie wh9 en-
cored, and an apology was made tor Miss STE-
plistlS, whose wet:toils exertions tendered her
unable to repeat one of her songs. A crowded
and brilliant audience received the Comedy with
Very Meat applause.

Yesterday their Royal Highnesses the DAke
and Dtgehes< of CLARE:NCR %vent to the Chapel
Royal, St. James's.

Saturday his Royal Highness the Duke of
Gt.oucrstEß left town for Brighton.
The Duchess of GLouctcs-rp,a is so notch re-
covered toy her trip to Brighton, that her Royal
Highness has row occasioonily evening parties.
Sir Henry BLACKWOOD Salk in 4 tew days to
rdieveltnirdi Sir UtcHARD Kt o; in the COW.
!nand of Tr InCom ;11 ec

On Friday Sir THOMAS MUNHOR left town to
proceed to India as G:)vernor of Madras.
It is said thst a CilAnge among the Sea Lords
at the Board of Admitshy will take place imme-
diately ntftr Christmas.

111 r. KlNtmcit, of Kinloch, has been served
with an indictment, to stand trial before the
High Coiirt of Jitsticiary, at Edinhturgh, on the
22d instant.

In consequence of ordvrß receive►l from the
Most Noble the Marquis of QUE2NsuL3tiv, Lord
L'etttellant of the County, tl►e Dorntrie3-sLire
Yeomanry Cavalry are to assemble at Dtmlfries
immediately.

l'he 33,1 regiment, it is said, have received
their route to march on tl►e 20th instant, to Lei-
cester; ot► Which ►lay the rein,linio4 tying t►t the
battal►on of Cirt nattier Goards, now stationed at
Pot tsmoniii, will ar!'ive iron) 'like first
tlivit,ion of the 33,1 is expected to tua►ch to-olot-
row for Il'omlstock.

DREADFUL OtrrnAGE.—Wednesday 11.9 t, a Mrs.
Ilman, of N. 17, Old George-street, in the
Borough, was si!ting by the fire, E. Jones,herson-
in-law, who came home in a state of-intoxi-
cation, seized tt ''hatter, and gave her so violent
a blow with it on the side as to break four of her
ribs. "Fhe roor old woman fainted; but, notwith-
standiug, the bi tie cootinued his violence, and see-
ingchat near tweuty persons had assembled 111 front
of the' house, he locked the door, armed him-
self with s, knife, and threatened to murder the first
that came in. Air. Reeve, the i\larshalman% being
sent for, burst open the door, and drawitig his
haogrr, attacked the tellow so actively, as to
cause him to throw down his knife and surrender.
He was Hit II conveyed to the Borough Compter
and Mrs. W. was taken to the Hospital, where
she lies without hope of recovery.
IIACa AGAINST Tlsse.-ot. Saturday morning
Richard Stanton. colomooly called Flopping Dick,
wata hacked for 20 guineas to 021 milrs 111 three
hours ; the Regent's l'atk was fixed upon to►
the scene of action. He completed more than 7
miles in the first boor, arid something more iu
the second; but haviug overstrained himself be
lost by five minutts; however, he was ready in
his exhausted state to wager five poonds, that he
would holt 130 yards on one leg in the space of
; this bet was not accepted, but sa
snliscription was prrqumed, nod he completed
this short though batrassing' feat in the given
time. The gentleman who 103 t the shore wager,
lots backed ;Stanton fgr fifty pounds to cump!ete
it on some future day,

LAW INI ELLIGENCE.

COURT OF CiIANCERY, t, .._.iNcoLN'3 INN HALL, D. 9

KNIGHT V. KNIGHT.

Copy from Mr. GiraNLY'S short-hand notes of the Proceed-
ings in the Court of Chancery, Lint()la's Ina I-lall, stir
Dec. IE9.
Mr. WINGFIRLD—if your Lordship pleases, in
a cause in which Henry Raleigh Knieht, Charles
Raleigh Knight, an infant, by his father, the said
Henry Raleigh Knight, Charles Fuller, and Jane
his wife, and Frances Elizabeth Knight, are the
'plaintiffs, and Henry Charles Knight is the de-
fendant-, I am to move your Lofaddy that the
plaintiffs may be at liberty to examine the Right
Honourable Henry Lord Aliddleton, 'on fresh in-
terrogatories to be exhibited in this cause, touch-
ing the birth, baptism, and christening, main-
tenance and education, of the above-named de-
leiulnnt ; and may also be at liberty to examine
Dr. Thynne, Dr. Ileslop, and William Hinds,
respecting the said matters, the plaintiffs having,
since the close of the former examination of wit-
nesses in this cause, discovered several material
facts, to which they are advised rite testimony of
the said persons is very material, and withont
such examination plaintiffs are in danger of being
deprived of their testimony, and that plaintiffs
may have one or more commission or commis-
sions if necessary, for the purposes aforesaid.
My Lord, this Bill is filed by the plaintiff, Ge-
neral Knight, against this defendant, under the
will of the late Earl of Catherlough. General
Knight would, it; the event of the death of Iris
elder lowlier, Mr. Knight, without issoe node,
he tenant for life. Ilis rem, the infant, would
be the first tenant do tail of the extensive estates
of which that Nobleman died possessed. The
defendant is alleged to Ire the illegitimate son of
his brother, an,! this Bill is filed for the purpose
of pet-petnatine- testitm.ny to the illegitimacy of
this infant. Tire lid' was filed stone !inn. sito e,
and interrogeteries have beets exhPliteil, a Coln-
inissiou issued, and that has been returned.
This application is made to your Lordship on
a discovery of fresh matter, and I will triad to
your Lordship the affidavit made in this matter
by Henry Raleigh Knight. lie says,--e---" That
since the former examination of witnesses in this
cause, he hath dieeovered that there one seveitil
material facts as to rite birth, baptism, eloisten-
ing, maiwenance, and education of the above-
named defendant, to which he is informed, and
belieses, that the‘testimony of Hefty Lord Mid-
(!leton of Hertford-sireet, and Dr. Tliyone of
Berners-street, Oxford-street, and Dr. Ilealop of
Nottingbatn4lace, New-roatl, and IVilliam Holds
of prances-stieet. Tottenham-court-load, and clic
Hon. Lucy Elizabeth Pullman, is very material
for the plaintiffs ; and to which the plaintiffs,
from ignorance of stein facts, were unable ro ob-
tain the testimony of the said several persons now
proposed 'o he examined at the former examina-
tion, and whose testim :try to such matters will
be in danger of being lost to the said plaintiffs,
unless the plaintitis are now peimitted to examine
the said several witnesses thereto. That he hath
not, nor bath any of the other plaintiffs in th;s
cause, or his or inch solieitors or agents, as this
deponent has hero informed, and believes, ever
hitherto seen, heard, or been informed of the de-
positions, or any of them, or of the witnesses
already examined in this cause."
Tlitti my Lord, there is the affidatit of Mr.
John
.Fielder, and George Williams, his clerk ;
and they say,—" the institution and pro.
gress of the above-mentioned cause, these depo-
nents alone have been concerned in the conduct-
ing and management thereof; and that they have
not, nor bath either of them ever seen, heard, or
been informed of the depositions of the several
witnesses already examined in this cause, or any
of !heat, or any part of such deposit ions."
Mr. RoßeeTs (Solicitni).--Str. Agar is Counsel
in this,

Mr. WINGFIFI.O.---MV I have finished
what I have to say. I had no disposition to blind
on without' Alr. Agar bring ht.re. I was nut
awnre Mr. Agar was in it.
Loap CHANCELLOR.—YOLI Must either con-
clude it, or wait for Mr. Agar ; but 1 %% ill not
pt.rthit it to btr heard over again.
Mr. WINGFIELD —Mr. Willis is with me, most
probably Mr. Agar will come in before Mr. Willis
shall have closed.

Afr. IVILLts.—My Lord, before I enter upon
this delicate and pinto' duty, I have to com-
plain of the menaces which have been held ont by
toy Lord Middleton. About a twelvetnooth ago,
the subject of the present suit came before the
Vice Chancellor, tinder argument on a demurrer
to a bill to perpetuate the testimony of witnesses
tiled by other parties. In that case, in the dis-
charge of my duty to my client, I alluded to my
Lord Middleton as having been implicated in this
transaction—a transaction perhaps the most ne-
farious that ever came before a Court of Justice
—an attempt to supplant the legitimate children
of the parties interested troder this entail, by in-
truding opon Mr Knight and his family this ille-
gitimate child. The report of this proceeding I
have in a newspaper ; of this ut%vspAper repoit
Lord Middleton complains, and on later than last
Tlirsdriy,on returning to my chambi r,,1 lontid tine
cards of Lord Middleton and his Solieiror,Mr Now-
ell, ft man of high respectability, who had expressed
a wish to see ate. 1 called in consequence in Hert-
ford-street on Lord Mithiletou, to ask what his
hosiness was, and he there declared, in the pre-
sence of several gentlemen, that he called to give
toe express notice, that if I used his name in
way lof disapproved, lie wool(' take the law
hint his own [mall, I telt that I could not per-
sookilly notice stack conduct. His Lordship made
use of language which, as a geollenotn,
should have :,now o how to treat, hut, as a bar-
lister, I felt that I could only lay it It.:toitt your
Lordship. 1 forbear to say mole ; but the pi 0-
ceeniogs, as detailed in this paper, ate, 1
tolerably Correct. 1 should he vriy sorry
if, in the warmth of my feelings, I have said any
thing svlsich was intproper, or it, leli a WHO of
11011011 r, 1 should have. now expressed mystilt
iot-
i:ropeFly.

"'hut to ‘vliieli we wish to examine Luca
ditto!) expressly relates to his cotirlilv! In I;,e
1):-Llt,ruiv;; :fit this illegirill)ate child i is to hi:

employing Dr. Heslop, and his paying Dr.Thynne,
aad other matters on that subject. •
LORD CUANCELLOR.—YoIi have not stat«l at
all by whom and when you were informed of these
circumstances.
Mr. WINGFIELD.—OnIy as far as it is stated
by the affidavit, that they came to our knowledge
subsequent to the time when the former deposi-
tions were made.
LORD CHANCOLLOR.—YOII have had this infor.
mation from somebody or Whet', and that person
may know the whole of what has been hitherto
given in evidence; I think, therefore, I ought at
least to have an affidavit from the person who has
given you that information, :hat he knows nothibe:
of what has been proved under the Commis-
sion,

AIr.WINGFIET.D.—My Lord, I had some anxiety
to Irani what ought to be the proper affidavit ar.•
companying applications of this description, and
wished certainly to give your Lordship all the in-,
formation the Court should receive, or ever does
receive, on applications of this sort, and I have
searched, I confess, vet y much in' vain for that pur-
pose ; of course I could not alter the matetials its
my hand. I had rather thought it might perhaps
be delicate, unless it was suggested by your Lord-
ship otherwise, that as little as possible of that
which was proposed to be proved should be
stated.

LORD CIIkNCELLOP.—I do not put that to you ;
but suppose that which is pet feetly a supposable
cose-1 do not Mean to say that is the case, but
it is a possihle case, that the very information you
have received may have been received from a per-
son acting- as Commissioner tinder tlieC‘unntii-
slow); I might therefore to have an tiffidnvir whit
the person Wits trout whom you ha ve,teeeived
your iniormation (not telling me what the- infor-
mation %vat), tritli an additional affidavit, that
that person knows nothing of what has been
proved under the Cornmision„
ill r, WINGFIELD.—Your Lordship shall have
an nffidavit upon those two points.
LORD CHANcr.t.Loa.—lt it n very delicate
thing, and letpires some cousidetation whether
the application *should be granted, after yo,i have
made those adidnvits.
Mr. AGAtt.-1 do not apprehend, nty Lord,
that there is any ground whatever for their
having this Commission, for they have ap-
plied time' alter time, end your L
directed, that after a certain time it sho,dd
final; now that time hiving expired they
come forward, moving an affidavit extremely
strong eertoinly, but nothing can best objet: Hon-
able as I think this will appear when yoor
ship heats Alio tire the persons they wish to (Ro-
utine, for I have no doubt ibis is an engine: to vex
Hittite parties.
Mr. WINGFIELD —I suppose my Li,arry,l
Fri,nd, Mr. Agar, knows wore of my client's
mwivcs than I do. I know of no sue!. Inol:veris
he states, and am goi-e satisfied no s-,,ch motive
actontes the phintitts.
Lou-) CI-lANCELL',It is not necessat y for
us now to discoss this, necau.e I think yoit have
itot yet laid a sufficient ground, aod lit yoo twist
add those atli,hviis 1 have referred to before it
can proceed further.

coura OF• KIM ;'s BENCH, Dec. iI.
THE DUKE OF IDF,,IID V. EMMET.
This %vas an action brought by the N.!)le
phintitT us owner of Covent-garden Market, for
the purpose of recovering the sum of 101, claim-
ed to be due in respect of certain baskets of
strawberries and goolebetrie:, sold by the de-
fentlint in the said walker. The defendant pledd-
ed a render of 4d. which he allegA to be the
whole ston duo.

The plaintiff's case was conducted by ?11 r. Sear.
lett, Mr. Gaseier, Mr. Lirleda!e, and Mr. Adam,
and the defendant's by Mr. Mariyat, Mr. Gur-
ney, Mr, C, herd. and Mr. Ilarnewall. The
trial lasted the ‘vhole day, and upwsrols of forty
witnesses were examined. The sole question
in this case %vets whether the plaintiff was entitled
to take toll at so touch for tacit basket, or only
the sum of fourpence upon every cart load vi
strak‘ betties or gonseberties brotight mat ket.
The Jury, tind,r the leattied Judge's di, vctions,
found their verdict for the plaintiff—Damages
sixpence.

:111RACULOUS ESCU'E.,--1011 Thursday morning;
ItiSt, HS 'Airs. HALL, the Wire' Of Wm. HALL, of
Greengate, ti;iltoril, was passing the pump in the
yard, the timbers of the covering of the well gave
way, and the was precipitated to the bottom,
which is twenty-two feet deep, with four fret
of rater. Mr. Hall awl his son were in tire
yard at the saute instant, the Litter of whom
witnessed the heart-rending scene of his
they's sodden exit ; Mr. 11111 stood with his
bark towards her at the time. What made it
more alarming, Mrs. Hall is far advdticed
in pregnancy ; but we ate Iti‘ppy to state
I hpt she ese.,ped will o,t aoy being broken
or serious inj y, to the great satisfaction of Mr.
Hall and six small children.

About a fornignt incc, a pecHoner coming to
join the 3d Veteran Battalion at Plymtuith, was
accompanied by hi 3 %rite, who feeling herself
unwell when they leached Woodland, near Ivy-
' Bridge, wcir. Iwo a cottage to procure a cup
of tea, and übikt 'bete was taken in labour,
anti safely delivtr:.il ut a fine child. :\hout
an hour atter, lice's atittr-cart passng by,
the %.'onian was lifted into it, mod the bw.-
biind carrying the child, walked alonside the cart
until it readied Stonehon,e, oheie the wonom
remains, Lind is perfectly %refl.
;iat urday a:ternoon an Inquisition tens
taio'n at the house of Mr. Cioliberr, !he Goa! Tn.
vein, in I'4ll-mall, before HIGGs,
on t It.tV nt the body of Mr. Griffith Jenkins,
ii;:ed 33 years. The deceased had been an officer
in the, navy, and had lost one oh his thumbs
it\lin,;er in boarding an enemy's 0.1)). lie
bitd been married only three mouti,i, end on
Toorsday atterooon he was found dead ill hi, bed.
room —Veidicr—" Died by the Vi>itatiun of
Goll."

Mr. FARA, chief boatman, and his cr,tv, sta-
tioned at Ottnington, near Weynioiti it, Lave
seized 8 cotter %yid) 170 easkot of spirits, having
onboard three Frenchmen and two Enp,li,bnien,
nho hale since been cvmtnitted to Dora: Ater

t,

'!41,,4,'

THE EQUITABLE ASSURANCE

The graflnial• rise of this Excellent Institution

to its present .state ofAmtppsrity nod security,
as an Establishment of the first National impor-
tance, cannot fail to be vii-:ved with satisfaction
by the ['oldie. The greatest praise is due to the
distinguished talents, integrity, and assidnity of
the individual, to whose immediate superinten-
dence it is principally indebted for the success
which has attended it ; sanctioned and supported
as he has been by distinterested and intelligent per-
'son3, who have been in the Direction of the So-
ciety, is the course of the last halt century. It
has not been, we understand, the practice of his
Establishment to give publicity to its concerns
beyond the immediate circle of its own Mentheva ;
but having seen the proceedings of the last General
Meeting of the Society, we cannot forbear afford-
ing to our Readers, a participation in the pleasure
which we experienced from the perusal of them ;
for in the permanent walfare of Institutions of
this nature, which are so beneficial to mankind,
all classes of the community have one common
interest, and especially in this extensive Society,
which by the integrity, economy, and good ma-
nagement of its Direction, has arisen to an on-
parAlleletl height of prosperity and responsibility,
unknown in all similar Establishments.
At the last General Meeting of the Society,
which was' held on the 2d instant, the
dent acquainted the Court niche the r,stilt of the
investigation made by 11se Actoaty of the Slate of
the Finances of the Socitty ; tramely, that upon
an account made_ 4.,p to cleat 11111 V, it appe,ired cleat
ti,e Society was possessed (consisting of Stock ere
the Nlottey secured upoo,Mortgage,
and Cash) of a clear Surplus Capital of three Tod--
1100 S (WO totiidred ten thousand eight itoodred
sod fitly-five psuity's ; and a short statement eras
sohmitted to the Court, ilostratiog the mode by
w hid+ this Hai mice iii favour of the !ifs-te y teas
El‘rett Ai',cd. The Vtesidelit theo, iii psosoratice
ut ios,roetious (ton. the Court of Direciors, stared
foe' consideration the following. recotomemlasory
nssoltoissos, " Upott matme coosidoradito
of (lie shove statement, it is resolved ototointoiss-
Iy, That a fotther :ohlitiou of twr, lintiod3 tell
vlsiliitsgs per cent. m iv .vine perfect saftty he ni ,de
to the Cl.honots toc eve' y year's prentiom
Anti heroine doe hefote the Est ot January 1821)„
cn all Assotances made prior Co the Ist of Jatinaty
1815, cud Ala,. on all Assurances made bet svceo
that date and the Ist of Jattmov !Si?, vulten six
attuuttil payitieffig chall have beets made opttH them,
to the Bye Llk% toe Ist of Afprelt
1810,) and that it be recorosnetided to the Genet al
Court to be holden the 2nd of December ;text, to
Make slid! ; the present of which*
(Aecordiog to the Bye La,e of the 2od t,f N 1,05,
1800), fraying something more than Otte Third of
the di -eetit
" The Court, tel:inz into consideration the con-
tinued improvement of the Finances ot the Socie-
ty, and die great security it will derive Scot only
from the Surplus which shall telnalo after the ad-
dition now proposed has taken place, but also
the still wester security it will dative front the
Bye I, Jay of the 19114 of December ISI6, which
litnirs the number of those who shall hereafter
become entitled to adtSitions,-....,,t,
the progressive aciditious of two pooods per -cent.
agreed 141 be made to the claims for esi.-ty
paid betweeo the lit of J utuary 1810, and the Ist
of January 1820, having note' ceased, an additiott
of t wo pounds ten shillings, to be comnoted on the
some assured, he allowed to the Ci,itttattis, for
every payment made after the 31st of December
181!) ; such addition to cease oil the Iss Jaitoary
P 430; bete under the same Restrictia,is, with re-
gard to A isorances made bet weeo the Ist ot.laultary
1815 and the lit of January 1817, as are specifi-
ed io the foregoing
'Else Actuary ilica addressed the Court in the
following aide mid sitisfattory spcych tipitt the
subject then under consideration, whicb, from its

hi n-tilious exposition Of the affairs Alf ILe fiery,S,,C

and the peculiarly interesting personal ciscion-
stances in which INIr. MoßGats is placed by the
trielancitoly event so eloquently and delicately re-
ferred to by hint, produced an impression, which
will long be felt by the nctubers of the institu-
tion, who were present 00 that occasion :
" In the course of the last forty-five years
this is the sixth time in which I have be►'n en-
gaged in FlMite investigation of the affairs of
this Society ; and it is hardly necessary to oh-
serve that in proportion as these affairs have i►e-
corte more extensive, the labour and importance
of each succeeding investigation have become
more considerable. Compared with its state in
1776, when the first investigation took place,

slid the amount of. its capital did not exceed
GO 0001. stock in the 3 per cent', the Society
may now he well regarded as an institution of

the highest importatice, aIHI requiritt that every

lareivire affecting its interest in tiie renuptett de-

gree 5i,,,(11(1 lie the result of tit, Strictest imptity

Rut! the most mature deliherati(ia, 1)11 all the

former occasions in which I have hid the honour

of addressing the Genera' Court, I have had the

pteasore of coogratuk[log them on the fOOO-isii-

Lig state of the Society, find I trust, froont the
accounts no laid before them, that they will
#l!..,,rre with Ine in opinion, that 4 ntay with equal
reason congratulate them on the present occa-

Cowforted ‘vittste slime care and pro-
deuce hatitteiseci it to sucti dig;

eilainelice in 1810, the Society (luring the idst ten

years 1139 sifiV,itteed ill the stune uniform course of

opulence nod credit ; alit!
%o mr(iads have been 'wide on its

e,nit t! by the ditf,rent additions to the claims,

C;;At cmpital, afrer saillifying every pAs.t, and pro.
.idin4 for every furore dern,nd upon, it, Inns

co:mil:Ate(' to such a twagnitode as to admit of 'still

Souther inroads w•iihoot codangering the iecttri!y
or injurior the tuture prospects of the 4:_'iocie-ty.
" 1 know uot to what extent the expectii-
twne et those persons may have beeu lately

nised who, viewing the amount el the rap!.
tal withoet havieg any regard to the immetasi-
claiora, itith whic'l it i! charged, consider every
addition In that Cripitql as So IM/Ch oddi'inl‘ to
the sot-phis stock tat the Society. 1 mast, how-
ever, ohs, eve to them, that there cancel he a de-
-1,15i..1) more to be deprecated, nor which in the
present circumstances of the Society would lead
to more ruinous consequences. Althonglo-44ie
Capital has increased within the last ten years
above hive millions, this of itself affords no deci-
sive proof of prosperity. Ir shouid be remember-
ed on the other liand, that the sums assured have
iocreased more (tow double' that amoolo—that
hall the number of the present assurances have
heen made since the year 1800—that the other
half is composed sit assatoarees on lives ten yeats
older than they were at that period, and conse-
tocroly so match ttoare ealttable—that e; bile the
oumber of assorances is manually inereadug, or
even while it continues the sante without any va-
ri..cion, the feitoel, must necessarily go on to accet-
tnud for many years to come. and that if any
measures were adopted to prevent that accuton-
litioo, the Society would soon find itself in a state
of insolvency.
" The great object in all die measures hitherto
adopted (and which 1 hope will always be kept
in view), has been to moderate that accumadatiou
so as to make the present members participate ice
the profits of the Society without injuring the in-
terests or destroying the prospects of those that
shall succeed them. At every. period iii which
the surplus stock tit die Society 1149 been deter-
mined, a very considerable soil), over aced above
the value of the additions, has been lett to acco-
:iodate towards providing, for future additions, as
well as for goardiog aka any tinforeSteeli con
‘ll'Lf .116,5. in 1776, when tote lost investigation
tm4; O'lve, the so plus of 25;0001. was only re-
duced tie 14,0001. in 1786, when the next io-
vesiigation took place, the sorplus of 164,00 W.
was redoced only to I 17t.13 . when
the surplus by ;to approximated computation ap-
peared to he 302.0001. it was reduced to
203,0f10/.; aud in 1800, at the period of the 4th
itavestigitioo, the snrd.dos of 484,0001 was te-
doeed tci 225,0001. lu nil these tostances, throe-
tote, the mode/v;(10 of the Grueral Co'ft Siafer-
vut a very Large prop .rtiote of dee fiiiiplas to re-
maio as a fund for the benefit. of those that should
reed charm. May sa!ely say for the benefit
of those ilia; should succeed them ;' for our of
the 5124. meuthers that existed in 1800, nut mote
skate 1:i00 sot eive to part ;ciliate iii the present
boiditioos, and of the 913 that existed in 1776, the
intim; of the first itavestigatiou, only ten have
survived.
" liy a resulation of the General Court in 1800,
a largev propoetioo of the sattplos was directed to
he ice toture appropriA«ol for the beuetit of the ex-
isoiog memiaers, and ill coosegoence, only one-
third of the loirplos in 1810, amounting to
fiSl-,0001. was reserved. hoot this residue, how-
ever, laud its accomolation for ten `'ears, a weal
part of the Isles,nt suiplos is derived, of which
not 1:101e the etl one liaif of the members who ex-
isted itt 1810 have leo-mined to participate ; and
it is 10 a cirodElit conduct of (itiS kited, which
rieets the highest hnnour on its lot-heat-mice and
fiheealite, that flee Society it indebted for its pre-
sent exalted state of credit awl prosperity.
" Though possessed at this time of a surplus of
more that* three millions, it must be otiserved that
the matether of those who are tie share in it is great
in proportioo, atoi ice consequeoce, that the sum
which woolei have been anflicient ice 1310 to pro-
vide for any fie etc addition to the claims, will
no,v, (Ncinsive of the advanced age of the mem-
hers, which etudes it .of greater vitiate, be alto-
g.,rther infodit.ient. No couclusiou therefore can
he drawn, as to the magnittoic of the additions
tviiich a Society can afford to make, either from
the amount of its capital, or even of its surplus
stock, oteless regard is bad at the same time to
the number of its WerniWnl; and it may be com-
paratively as rich, and able to mike those addi-
tions when possessed of a surplus of 100,000,, as
101(1i possessed of a torpius of tine milliou.-
1/euce it appears that this Sotiety could woth
topiat safety 411.0“1 to add ii. per cent. to thee.
C 1411115 iu 1800, wheit possessed of 4 surpins of
484,0 M, as it eau at present, %Oita its surplus
exceeds three the lotiouot <A the ad-
ditions in the <me beiug rather its a less propor-
(iota to the surplus than it is ice die other. Fled
the Society persevered iri its former course of ad-
ding to die claims of ail future members imiiscri•
tuinately, this proportion most have, coutiiiited to
increase; and in consequeoctr, the additioos at
every succeeding investigation must have beet

reauced,moil her the ciAiots loiti become station-
pity, or the Society hall clu to no.iotAin the
ciputittion of incteasittg opolenee, by Im-severing
in measures which most have (etsaii-
nAted iit roia. lt is tioe (toil the siirrett(!ets and

_ .
lotfeitures, which arc Rama:ill!" taling plArr,
have had a cousidevahle rff,..et in checking the
growth of tl,:e tincii!ty; I),it these have al:rAys
fallen hr citort of the new atstirances, so that
front its Syst establishment to the present time,
the Society hit 11:ver ceased to becomit moue
nittnernus. IVitliont some ut:ne power t+l cheeks

flterthr,e, die evil rii,ive tnecitioned

most sooner or Liter 14:4‘e tohco pLlce, 44444 tile
Vtel y (iicom,trioce ot art ticeolowi4cii%

(the neeesiaty conEevetice cat a c.(altintsca itcers-

,ot flew (11V(Itht'i!,) , by excii ii‘g uax»reiated
opinions of iAcreai:•ing opulence, ‘voilid have ac-

ci,.!eratt-41 is.

Of (he extem thi3 evil. sonic

itleP, may be formed, by onset vin; I hat the same

addition so the claims %,..-11icit in 1810 increased

Ctie ttssuieti Bbnilt 1 11:11111011, IVotlid HOW
increase them about 3 millions, of which near
is coutined tzi ascurances made (luring

the SCVell yedf 6UCCeeded file last ilivetti-

g4,tion.

" Iti tilt! year 1817 the Society colonieoced
steer mra, and the experience of every clsy has
served to lirole the wisdom i 1 that measure.—
Though in the shirt tenet ot three years it could
not be expected to Gave done witch ill improving

the preseill interests ot the mrinherS, yet evctin

this early stage its (I)er-trim's have nut been al-
together without alect ; for had no such ineasote
been adopted, the aSSUraliCe9 entitled to the atidi-

tines would in that case have excerde4 their pie •-
ielit nuu►her by tioore tlr to I'2oo. But its bene-

Gcs Hereafter are likely to be uzuell more counder-

able.—Not only will the Society he rendered-
tome secure, but by confining the future additions
to a limited • number of claims, these additions
must necessarily be increased, find may possibly
admit of having a larger proporiiou of the surplus
appropriated to them. Nor are the present mem-
bers rl,e only persons likely to profit by the late
regulations. Although the expectations of (attire
members ate postponed, they are not taken away.
What- They lose by having the accomplishment of
their wishes deterred to a later period, will be
mote than compensated to them when they are
; and if regarded itt a proper light, these re-
gulations shook be considered as so many pie-
catitionsry measures, more effectually to guard
their interests against the danger arising front the
participators in the Society's sot-plus, at one and
the saute time becoming too otonerous to have
their rives sanguine expectations gratified to their
foss extent, without sacrificing the interests of
those who are to succeed them. It is a matter of
lit ie consequence to the Society whether its mem-
bers do, or do not increase ; nor is it necessary
to point out the great benefit which it has pro-
duced, and still continues to produce to the pub-
lic. The imineose capital which it possesses, and
the prospect which it holds forth not only to its
present, but to its future members, raises it
above all competition, and must ever render it an
institution of the highest importance. From the
experience of the last three years, the regulations
of 1817 appear to have had no other effect than
that of rather lessening the number of new as-
surances, which, however, considerably exceed
the number of old assurances cancelled, so that
the Society still continues to increase, thought
more slowly. This is the necessary consequence
of such a measure, and was to be expected. But
it should be observed on the other band, that the
Society may now regard its increase without ap-
preheosion. With the present restrictions it is in
no danger of ever becotniog too nionerous, or of
siting composed of a inoltitude of new members,
who, assuring their lives more with the view of
pi eseiit advantage to themselves than of providing
for their families, would always be urging an int-
provide:it distribution Of the Society's stock.—
flaviog oftro witnessed assurances of this kind,
1 have on tourer occasions expressed toy dread of
them, but I now feel great satisfaction in seeing
the Society freed front the danger of ever having
their utimber increased too touch. It doe* not
appear from the acSiiraticeS lately made, that soy
extravagant views of this kind are entertained by
the persons assured. The great majority of them
consists of lives between the ages of 35 and 50.
Toe proportion of the oltier to the young lives
continues the same, and the business of the So-
ciety goes ott itt every respect as it has always
door---with this diefsrence only, that the average
antomit of the stints assured on each life is rather
iocreased, and Elie stoostal average of new as-
:to...ores is diminished. '
" itt looking over the progress of this Society
from its first establishment to the present time, it
is impossible not to admire the prudence of those
measures which have gradually led it from one
state of improvement to soother, till it has been
raised front an obscure little institution, founded
Ott principles which illitSt always have kept it in
a state ot infancy awl weakness, to eft litSlitti-
lion of great national importance, not (ily on
account of its own widely extended counectirrns,
but by introducing to the notice of the public a
subject which had hitherto been but little under-
stood, or at least but little attended to, as being
the means of relieving thousands from the anxi-
ety of leaving art onprovided family to survive
them. Having produced these beneficial effects,
and by a wise and temperate cottcse of gradual im-
provement attained its present height of wealth
and credit, it l ardently to be wished that the
Society may otsvr deviate into a different course,
nor be seduced by the continued increase of its
capital into lit opinion that such increase is Ito

longer necessary, and ofiglat to' be totally pre-
vented. This is a delusion which has proved
fatal to many smaller Societies, and would prove
ctioallq sn to this Society if it should ever fall into
it. the exretience of more than half a cen-
tu►v, in tvhich so many knees have beets raised
against the improvident distribution of its stock ;

and the lice invaluable regulations wl;icit have
almost destroyed every temptation to it, afford
the strongest reason to hope that the danger of

such delusion is Our ev,c removed, alio that the
accumulation of the capital and increasing inag-

nitzide of the socit•ty may uo longer. he rt•Jat.derl
as objec•ty of anxiety and appechynsion, but as
adding ultimately to the betteht and security of all

its itle—irsbei s.

This gre:tt work being tt©W brotrght it con-
clut,ion, I ce4tittor conclude the 'p.tsrrrt AdtheSs
(aod tits last which i alio!! ever deliver on a like

OCCAMiOti) maily svosedows of S& row am
Anxiety.--};icing arrived at a period to which

is istii44..iiiei• imp( bbould e%.,i• be

tilde tt, etigal4e 7tl ittiothcr woii: of the satne kind,

however ardtut toy wishcs tt►ight t►e Co serve tl►e
Society, I cannot help briny solicitous for the

permanent welfare of institution so bencticiAl
to mankind, and so muelt the objrct of my care

and attention iloritig the greater pure of my life.

The !HIM: of 4ti yetirs must necessarily be ex-
rti•ctett to impair the human cottslitution—uor
loss mine survived them i.vit hoot 'milli y.—The

va:ZeS of tittle, however, had iii a great measure

17CCO CCpiiiVed to tne by the ACCCSSiOII Of a near
end dear relation to participate in my labours,

and %eh°, hud foo ely hoped, vrotild have lived
to drserve the approbation and confidence of this

Sociery.—Bat all ❑sy hopes with regard to hiin

Are (or ever• gone. Elis aslistance, without which
I never could have accotnplished this woti,, closed
will► (hose lAbotious computatious Which e 110 W

Idi4l before the General Court, and the fond ex-

pecta.ious I had once cherished, most now be ex-
changed for a wish that the Society may ever be
%et vcd by a pcison of equal worth kind integrity.
But dropping this psiiitul subject, I have only
to express my grateful acknowledgments for the
Ca ttllmir anal wtention wtth which I have dways

been heard, and for the Lind regard t‘hich 1 have

ever expel ieoced during the loug course of my

connection kiith (his ...!ocie(y."

On the conclusion of this Address it was moved
and ticcooded, Th th<l retrospective and pros-
proive additions recommendt:d by the Directors
ahould be adupted, wLich valiztd iu

11)1

mative. It was resolved unanimously,
thails of this Court should be given to Mr:
gait the Actual y fur the very dens and satistac:"
Report he had imide. After which the Prcside,
read to the C+aurt the following recommen(l3li`f
from the Court of Directors that "Im conodev
" at ion of (he great levrt It of time anti cia4elltieri;
" (ion necessarily devoted to this.investigatioll
" Mr. Morgan, the Actuary, which comprelie
" nearly double the number of calculations 11°,
_,.
" the Report of 1810, and of the satis!"l,
" and important information vvliith the Sal";
" has derived front the completion of it, t"( 1,
" be recommended to the General Court to ifito
" sent Mr. Morgan, the Actuary, two thadlii,4
pounds as a compensation for the Silfti4j"
being moved and seconded, was unanimously?
sed in the affirmative. • ,14

. Another recomnieridation was likewile rciol
the President front the Court of Directors,
" in consideration of the assistance efforde"
" the Actu,Hy towards this investigation, bYI;
" late Mr. Morgan, junior, Assistant Actuari'l4
" be recommended to the said General Court
" make his rcpt esentative a present of five 1161,
" dred pounds." 00 which a member prop 00;
that one thousand pounds be presented to theiito
presentative of Mr. Morgan, junior, in lien
sum of five hundred pounds, recommended byte
Directors, which being seconded, passed it Iv
affirmative.
A further recommendation was then relic
the President from the Court of Directors, I'e
" In consideration of the additional trouble
" cessarily produced by the late investigation e
" the finances of the Society, that it he alsfcrip.
" commended to the General Court, to make
" Stephenson, the Principal Clerk, a preseal,,l
°C two hundred pounds, and to the Actosi;of
" Cietks, viz. Mr. Lovelock, a present of 4):
" huotired pounds ; Mr. Martineau, a preseoc:,'
" seveuty.five pounds ; Mr. Train and Mr. 13;,,
" ler, each a present of fifty pounds ; sod
" Corby, tine Messenger, a resat
" thirty pounds."
ffe;
It was then moved and seconded, That 10
of the sums respectively proposed to be given !‘
tha foregoing recommendation, the same sh'4l,:i
he doubled, which passed io the affirmative ; 6.0
thus terminated the proceedings of one of ;
most imports:A. Courts of this Institution.