The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-05-27 00:00:00

Omen! glistrilanv.

HARIVICH.—Both Mr. Prinsep and Mr. Crawford are
again candidates for the representation of this borough.
Good cider is now selling in the neighbourhood of
Taunton at 355. a hogshead.

A child about eight months old while asleep, a few days
ago, in its cradle, at Ilull, during the temporary absence
of its mother, was attacked by a rat and severely wounded.
On Thursday night the synagogue in Maiden-lane, Lon-
don, was burglariously entered and the whole of the silver
sacred vessels, bells, &c., carried off.
Major W. Wynn, E.1.C., jumped from the Black Rock
Cliff, Kemp Town, on Friday evening, and was dashed to
pieces on the spot.
Two thieves were discovered !n a railway truck on the
Darlington Railway on Thursday. Several packages had
been opened by the depredators who were secured.
Sir R. Peel, Bart., M.P., has ordered one of his Tam-
worth tenants, an innkeeper, not to entertain a number
of resident protectionists who had proposed to hold a
banquet.
The beautiful estate of Pen-park, near Bristol, with the
mansion attached, was sold last week by the executor of
the late William Bushell, Esq., for the low sum of £5,800.
Only six years ago it cost the late proprietor £9,900.
For the last three weeks the London and Dover railway
has conveyed daily a considerably larger number of per-
sons to Dover en route for the continent than have arrived
by the same railway in London.
On the 28th April the Bank of England adopted a fixed
price for the purchase of American coined gold, the rate
named being £3 16s. 3d. per ounce. An alteration, how-
ever, has since been made to £3 16s. 21d, per ounce.

- •
A grocer, at Newcastle, having put a bottle of water,
corked, into the oven, for the purpose of applying it to his
feet on going to bed, forgot it there, and in the course of
the night it exploded, doing considerable damage.
THE CONSERVATIVE CLUB.—In consequence of Mr.
Bethel' and Mr. Tindal having been requested to retire
from the club, as being no longer conservatives, Mr.
Walter, M.P., has sent in his resignation.
THE WINDOW DUTlES.—lnstructions have been
issued to the Assessors to discontinue the customary
assessments for the window duties. The practical repeal
of the duties is from the sth of April last.
A young woman named beddes has been apprehended
at Glasgow, on a charge of administering poison, and
exposing her infant child so as to cause its death. She
had admitted the charges, and remains for trial.
The jury inquiring into the death of H. J. Chaplin, the
policeman, killed in a drunken affray at Vauxhall, have
terminated their labours with a verdict of wilful murder
against two of the prisoners charged.
A young man died in London, a few days since, from
the effects of a solution of corrosive sublimate, which is
used in his father's trade, and which he had swallowed by
mistake for a gargle that he was using for a sore throat.
The keeper of a disorderly house at Wolverhampton is
in custody, on a charge of shooting and severely wound-
ing a young man whom he suspected of having broken his
windows.

The failure of the firm of W. and D. Oldenburg, a
German house at Leeds, has been announced. The total
liabilities are stated at between £50,000 and £60,000.
London and Manchester firms are losers.
A person standing on Souter Point the other evening,
with the wide expanse of sea stretching from the Tyne to
the Tees before him, witnessed the noble spectacle of no
fewer than 246 vessels in sight at one time.
The Leeds Intelligencer records that a Mrs. Moxon,
64 years of age, died in a railway carriage, on her way to
Batley, to attend her brother's funeral. Another brother
was lying dead at the same time.
The masons employed by the contractors of the south
entrance of the Sunderland Dock have struck work
becanse their employers refused to pay them more than
twenty shillings per week, the men asking twenty-four.
As a gentleman was escorting two ladies home through
the streets of Bristol, a few nights ago, he was seized from
behind by two men, pinioned, and robbed of his money
and watch.

A fire broke out on Tuesday in a cooperage at Glasgow,
belonging to Mr. Stuart, which did very extensive damage.
The total loss is estimated at £5,000 a portion of which,
£3,000 is covered by insurance.

The rate of mortality that now prevails in London
shows that scarcely any improvement in the health of the
population has taken place during the last seven weeks,
and it continues higher than is usually observed in the
middle of May. Influenza is very prevalent.
The Earl of Galloway has placed his resignation of the
high office of Lord Lieutenant of the County of Wigtown
in the hands of the government ; and the dignity has been
conferred upon Jol:n Dalrymple, Esq., M.P for that

county, nephew of, and heir presumptive to, Earl Stair.
A numerous and highly influential meeting of the Pro-
tectionists of the Weald of Kent was held at Cranbrook,
on Wednesday, under a commodious marquee erected in
the Ball-field, near the church. The veteran Earl Stan-
hopepresided, and several spirited addresses were delivered.
A memorial has been presented to the Newcastle Town
Council, praying that a clause may be inserted in some
of their local acts, authorising magistrates to send juvenile
offenders to the ragged school, instead of sending them to
prison.

In the Times of Monday week, a Scotchman advertised
for a person of intemperate habits to dwell with him.
This is the first time we can call to mind any one finding
it necessary to apply through the public prints for tfie
agreeable companionship of a drunkard !
The adherents of Wesleyan reform in London intend,
early in July, holding a bazaar, the profits of which are
to be devoted to further the principles which they advo-
cate. The friends of the movement are making active
exertions to advance the object.
The proprietors of the great flour-mill at Blackfriars
have joined the Britisll Corn Millers' League. This is
the mill respecting which the Times produced a long ar-
ticle to prove that, in spite of foreign competition, the
home miller could hold his ground.
The .Fife Herald says bat the ladies of the Burnside
United Presbyterian Church congregation, Cupar, have
resolved to send the Rev. Mr. Rankine up to the Great
Exhibition, and have presented ihiM with the Sum of £lO
to defray his expenses.

Prince Albert has contributed the sum of £25 in aid of
the subscription intended as a provision for the declining
years of Mrs. Ward, the daughter of Lord Nelson.
According to the Newcastle Journal, the Bishop of
Durham has given a donation of £lO towards the funds
of a United Presbyterian Chepel, at the village of Chat-
ton, within his diocese.
The Count de Thomar has despatched a Parthian mis-
sile at his successful antagonist the Duke of Saldanha,
and a letter or protest bearing the date of Vigo—to which
place the fugitive Minister at first retired—has now been
published to the world in some of the London journals.
THE VAN NUISANCE.—On Wednesday, Mr. Bedford
held an inquest on the body of Richard Nicholson, who
was knockcd down and run over by a horse which had
taken fright at an advertising vannear St. Martin's Church,
Charing-cross._

An enterprising mariner at Hull has fitted out a dapper
little smack, which is to sail shortly from that port to
London with passengers for the exhibition. The craft
will be moored in the Thames, and serve as a boarding-
house for the passengers as long as she remains there.
She is to make several trips during the summer.
Mr. Thackeray, the author of " Vanity Fair," " Pen-
dennis," &c., commenced a course of lectures, at Willis's
Rooms, London, on Thursday last. "On the English
Humourists of the Eighteenth Century." The subject
of the lecture was Dean Swift. There was a numerius
and distinguished audience.

A carter who was driving a waggon near Spalding,
Lincolnshire, a few days since, was knocked down by one
of the horses, and tbe waggon wheels passed so close to
his head, which was between the wheels and a gatepost,
as to shave off part of his ear and some skin and hair,
without doing him any mote serious injury.
Mr. Augustus Braham, youngest son of the celebrated
English tenor, made his debit on Monday, at the Hano-
ver-square Rooms, and was received with much favour.
He possesses a remarkably pure and agreeable tenor
voice, rich and mellow in the lower notes, and clearing
and telling in the higher register.
SUICIDAL MANIA.—Two inquests have been held this
week at Maidstone upon servant girls who had drowned
themselves ; and the same crime was attempted by a third,
but some passers-by having observed her movements, she
was r. scued before life was extinct. One of the girls had
been discharged for flirting with her masters's workmen,
and the other was of weak intellect.

On Wednesday Captain Paulet Somerset, having com-
pleted the term of his sentence of imprisonment. was
discharged from the House of Correction, Coldbath.fields.
A great number of persons had assembled at the usual
hour for the discharge of prisoners to witness his depar-
ture, hut they were doomed to be disappointed, for he
had left the prison about an hour before that time.
It is stated that Father Ignatius proposed to be present
at Dr. Cumming's lecture, at Exeter-hall, to-day, and
address the audience on " unity," and informed Dr.
Cumming of his intention. On hearing of it Cardinal
Wiseman, with his usual astuteness, forbade the meeting,
and Father Ignatius called again on Dr. Cumming, bare-
footed, and told him he was not permitted to appear.
No. 4 of Mr. R. Oastler's cheap weekly periodical, The
Home, contains a very characteristic letter from Mr. J.
Jackson of the Fleet-mills, Oulton. Mr. Jackson, like
many other free traders, is changing his opinion : he now
says, " I believe it will be necessary to make a change in
the import duties on corn as well as on flour." Right,
John, right; many others, besides you, think the same.
A " Monster" National Floral Exhibition, open to all
England' is announced to take place at Cheltenham in
the course of next month, when £2OO will be delivered in
P• rizes No less than three military bands are to be
present on the occasion, and the other arrangements for
the day will, it is stated, be on a corresponding scale of
magnitude.

A DESERTED VILLAGE.—Many of the respectable
shopkeepers of Topsham, in Devonshire, have suddenly
disappeared to visit the Great Exhibition. They have,
however, taken the precaution to inform their customers
of the same, by causing a notice to be stuck against their
respective doors, of which the following is a copy :
" Gone to the Royal Exhibition, to be re-opened when
we come back."—Devonshire Chronicle.

THE ADVERTISING NUISANCES. - Colonel Sibthorp
has given notice for this evening " To call the atention of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the frauds on the
revenue committed by the travelling vans, with regard to
the various advertisements attached to them, and for
which the public journals are compelled to pay a duty for
each advertisement," and he intimated his intention of
asking for leave to bring in a bill upon the subject.
The jury in the Barnard Castle murder case have re-
turned a verdict of wilful murder against some persons
unknown. The deceased had been very intemperate, and
was very excited from drink. An extraordinary mystery
hangs over the whole affair from there being such an ab-
sence of fact as to the circumstances attending the death,
and the apparent absence of motive to induce any one to
commit such a deliberate murder.

A disastrous fire broke out, during the night of Wed-
nesday last, in the extensive steam flour-mills of Messrs.
Joseph and James Norton, at Horsley-fields, Wolver-
hampton, by which the whole of the premises, the machi-
nery, and a great quantity of wheat were destroyed. The
loss is estimated at £20,000. The property was insured
to a large amount in the Birmingham District and Nor-
wich Union Fire-offices.

A declaration has been issued by "a large proportion of
the Roman Catholiclaity of England," in the form of a pro-
test against "any interference whatever with their right to
the unfettered exercise of their religion ; and particularly
against the gross and manifest violation of their religious
freedom now threatened, in direct controvention both of
the spirit and letter of the Emancipation Act, and of sub-
sequent statutes, and in open defiance of Her Most Gra-
cious Majesty's expressed resolution to maintain unim-
paired the religious liberties of her subjects."
The town of Newcastle-on-Tyne was visited by a severe
thunderstorm, on Monday. A tramp, named Fibs, was
struck by the electric fluid, as he walked along the road
and instantly killed. The lightning had scorched the
right side of his head, and had run obliquely down to his
left leg, caught his heel plate, which it had taken off, and
forced into the ground, making a hole that would admit
a man's hand. His clothes were torn to rags and strewed
about the road. Several buildings were also struck but
not much damage was done.
As two sawyers in the employ of Messrs. Buchanan
and Gibson, ship-builders, Deptford, were in the act, a
few days ago, of sawing a log of oak, which was about ten
feet long and two feet thick, they found a Tom-tit's nest,
with four eggs, in the heart of the tree. The moss, of
which the nest was formed, was quite fresh. Two of the
eggs were broken by the saw, but the other two are in
excellent preservation. It is supposed, by naturalists,
that this nest has been enclosed in the heart of the oak
tree for upwards of fifty years.
On Tuesday Mr. James Young, an eccentric Irish gen-
tleman of large fortune, aged 72, residing at 35, Augustus-
street, Regent's-park, London, committed suicide by
deliberately waiting the arrival of the Liverpool day mail
train in the cutting near Mornington-crescent, within a
few yards of the rear of his own residence, and then lay-
ing his neck on the rails, was almost immediately decapi-
tated. The act was witnessed by a lady passing over the
Stanhope-street bridge, who screamed, and immediately
fainted.

DEPARTURE OF THE PRINCE ALBERT FROM ABER-
DEEN.—Lady Franklin's expeditionary ship. Prince Albert
sailed once more from Aberdeen, on Thursday, for Davis'
Straits, &c., in order to discover the lost navigators of the
Arctic Seas. Numerous spectators were present to witness
her departure; and, after being towed to the bay by a steam-
tug, the Prince Albert's canvas was shaken out, and gen-
tly heeling over to the starboard, with a southerly breeze,
she commenced her arduous voyage. Lady Franklin was
not present at the last moment; but the crew were cheer-
ful and sanguine, and everything so far as the initiatory
steps were concerned, yielded pleasing auguries.

HATCHING BY STEAM.—About a mile from Exeter on
the Topsham Road, Hr. Butchers has, under the name
of the " Poultry Farm," perfected the arrangements of an
establishment for hatching by steam. The " steam Incu-
bator" is capable of containing 8,000 eggs at one time,
whilst a uniform degree of heat is communicated to each
egg by a steam boiler, which also drives an engine, so con-
structed as to give to every egg a motion similar to that
conveyed by the pulsation of the parent bird while sitting.
Several thousand eggs are in process of steam incubation,
and almost every hour chickens are emerging from their
shells. Eggs of all the feathered tribe can be hatched by
this process.
HEAVY COMPENSATION.—On the passing of the Muni.
cipal Reform Bill, the Town-clerk of Leicester was dis-
missed from his office, and Mr. Stone elected in his
stead. Mr. Burbridge sent in a claim of £28,000 for loss
of office, but the new Corporation refused to allow him
anything, alleging against him serious charges of miscon-
duct whilst in office. He then appealed to the Lords of
the Treasury, and, on Monday week, the inhabitants
were astounded at learning that their lordships had
awarded him compensation amounting to £BB9 a year for
life, together with the arrears, amounting to many thou-
sands of pounds ! It is said that the town has already
paid these, Mr. B. having been indebted to the various
trusts with which he had been connected.
MR. FERRAND AT AYLESBURY.—On Wednesday the
Protectionists of Aylesbury met to entertain Mr. W. B.
Ferrand at a public dinner. The dinner took place at the
George Hotel ; about 300 persons were present ; and Mr.
W. Lowndes occupied the chair. After the usual toasts
the chairman proposed the health of their guest. Mr.
Ferrand thereupon made a speech, remarkable for its
close, when he broke out into his more peculiar strain :
" Who feared a rebellion ? God would defend the right.
(Great cheering.) Let the Free Traders hoist their
standard of rebellion to-morrow, the spirit of England
would destroy them in a month. Bright would be hanged
at Manchester, Cobden at Leeds, and Sir James Graham
at Carlisle. (Laughter and cheers.) Then, too, a new
Reform Bill was talked of, but he warned the Govern-
ment that the Reform Bill which swept away the Protec-
tionists would sweep the Duke of Bedford out of Woburn
Abbey ; would, in all probability, sweep the crown from
her Majesty's head ; and would, if he were not cautious,
sweet) Lord John Russell's head from his shoulders."

SINGULAR FEAT OF A LUNATIC.-011 Sunday week, as
the under-gardener to Mr. Watts, of the Grove, Cheadle,
was returning from the Greenhouse, his attention was
arrested by the sound of a man's voice imitating the
crowing of a cock, and on looking upwards he perceived
a person on the top of the highest pinnacle of the house,
being at an elevation of fifty or sixty feet from the ground.
He had divested himself of all his clothes excepting his
shirt, trousers and stockings ; and he appeared as if
meditating a leap from his high position. The under-
gardener fortunately contrived, unperceived by the young
man, also to reach the roof, and to seize hold of him be-
fore he could make his fatal descent. From his inco-
herent language and strange gestures, it was evident that
he was labouring under a disordered mind. On making
inquiries it turned out that his name is William Barlow
Reeves, and is 18 years old. About eighteen months ago
he had been confined in an asylum at Newton for three
months, which had the effect of soothing him, and the
family ceased to be apprehensive of any return of the
malady,—Stockport Advertiser.

May 27,1851•

t e
rAa
tni
ounr,sT Epur
aAcTtrios
errds .
by—ln
Londonco nt in utirnagd
etsom
eenx otshe:hlasaineueli,
during the past few weeks has given the result of sAut
renewed investigations regarding coffee and chicory.'-uq
of 43 fresh trials of coffee-adulteration was detected
samples, and very often under peculiarly disreputsto.
circumstances. In some cases, for example, houses,Ped,
fessing to sell pure coffee, or coffee and chicory mix
according to the wish of their customers, are disioven
nevertheless to vend an adulterated article on nearn
occasions. While coffee is adulterated principallY `LA
e
chicory, chicory is understood to be in turn adultrorb
with carrot, mangold wurtzel, dog biscuit, red eV
horse chesnut, acorns, tan mahogany sawdust, isf
horse's and bullock's liver, and burnt blood. Out o
samples tried by the Lancet 11 were found to coati
spurious ingredients—such as roasted carrot, wheat' all
acorns, mahogany sawdust, mangold wurtzel, and Velie'
tian red. nntf
GOING TO LAW FOR A PENNY.—At the wo
Court, Alferton, on Saturday, two master butchers o.c_.
cupied the attention of the judge a considerable time, Dei
the following investigation. Defendant had Purchase&
21bs. of beef-steaks of plaintiff, for which the latter asto
9d., and the former refused to pay more than S., t de,
leaving a balance of ld. in plaintiff's favour. The bad
fendant admitted the purchase, but urged that he but
agreed to pay the penny in meat, and not in roonel,,e
it appeared that he had done neither ; a verdict for I.t
mhfuiosllnheoaymnionouu.r,n,t,,
Owwoansutlhdeinsatleblroeewidn for plaintiff. The defeMl9ll,
assumed the mast piteous look, and expressed a hoPetti;
ghirmefuasedli,adlee
mously tendered to plaintiff the full sfeutnmimdaecnlattion:Peugjan'Yantni;,
sixty,
latter,aioxdatw,yeD:
resident
soAlwilwd.:,dee:vnotethlrTNie,
nheTr
eeEHafDi refusing sassal
orl npotng:
neNGgts DrtTwehaEeeeCß:nde:
—pas
pteAfefiettidbtlwi
oieetoweeks saying,
between
tu N ' -160 a
pearance the best of friends. i of
the fervour of first love, became deeply ernnamm'ogteu:ern:e:7l:lB9l.oeltellisralit:t

itinerant spectacle-monger. After—tVo—whole tato
deliberation, Derby, we believe, was the town select` af,
be honoured by the performance of the nuptial ecrealleo
Afterwards returning to Hvson Green, and enioYilable
days of real bliss, but not being able to procure ao' to
residence, arrangements were made for migrating,' op
Leicester. The lady acquiesced, and at once esekeihief
her clothes, and at the same time handed over ad'earlf
watch, a gold medal, and fifteen sovereigns to her ewe
beloved, for greater security, when he took his dePat, to
for Nottingham station, leaving his beloved sPc'us-fort
follow him in the evening, when every domestic c 0 0
would be prepared for her on her arrival at Leicester• the
is needless to add the villain had decamped with she
whole of her clothes and money. Since her retera 00
has proved herself a true philosopheress, and cons°
herselt in the best way she can.—Notts. Guardian. vita
FEARGUS O'CONNOR IN DIFFICULTIES.—FeaieIa•
O'Connor will soon be a dead lion in the political s.OO
Even the directors of his land company have parted
him, and he knows not where to turn. He has iss'leeto
circular from the " National Land and Labour Bank„."
the
the effect that pending the decision of parliament, on„,„,
liability of the Land Company to repay his advan''',oo,
" He is reluctantly but unavoidably compelled, la ;01
nliance with the unanimous vote of the Land Co°Pfosl;
directors, to submit to a temporary suspension ° toed
went to depositors. Until Mr. O'Connor has recent)/
the repayment of his claim against the Land Cool di,
this bank will necessarily be closed." Four of bedeol
rectors, Messrs. Dixon, M'Grath, Doyle, and Clark, nil
,
that they have agreed to such a step, and " dischultiosi
connexion with, or participation in. closing the Naeftb°
August,claims of
Is49,i‘ir.
Land and Labour Bank against the prompt discharge,, sloe,
depositors."
O'Connortey state,
.has moreover,receiv received
tses, ere
thousand pounds on account of the- company, Share'
appropriation of which we, in common with the
holders, know nothing."
long been
t
COMMERCIAL PROSPERITY.—The Times has eicee
sounding the " prosperity" note, but a few days
changed its cry materially. Our contemporary 013'i the
" Could we, like Asmodeus, whisk away the roof °rob,
counting-house in which the partners in yonder daunath
ng concern are striking the balance of the year's acc°oel
we might find them estimating losses, not gaina'n la°,
have dispatched daily their huge advertising °anode'
every nook and corner of the town ; they have sniffs!,
cost price, they have paid salaries, and granted stilt v"
the wholesale houses, and what remains as the re le for
their year's struggle ? Merely a similar struggeetive
another year, with Basinghall-street zn bold pecs[ooo6.
in the distance. If it be said that such a ease, fit'
what extreme, thus much, at least, is Wertz"! .„001,
Among fair traders, thirty or forty years of 81,r,.`"eir 01
exertion merely secure to them a pittance for 11,," up.
age. They have lived, and possibly have brougut'an or
family in the interval, but a little cottage at 13°1 t of°
Camberwell is their House of Peers after the contes.
life. With the professions, we fear, it is still worn en
is difficult enough for the great bulk of professional, ,40
to do more than make ' both ends meet,' as the
goes, at the year's end." , f„iloWit
A STUDY FOR SIR JAMES GRAHAM.—The sofa.-
extract is taken from a speech delivered by Sirc4V
Graham, at a meeting in Dorking, in August, I' that
"If they placed any confidence in his assertions,,' of
might rely on it that the interests of the great he Ad'
the people were the interests to which he was attletele
Upon no other ground than this, although imm disPe es
connected with the landed interest, had he been t
to uphold the native agriculture of the country, hatiotti
cause he was convinced that the best safeguard 0.1'114?
was to le found in that independence which arose er
those nations, in the average course of years, beiti" tati•
abled to supply their inhabitants with their daily boleti
It was because he believed that in a series of year!) 0
independence was indispensable, that he had -!1"103/
friend to the protection of native agriculture'_,deo4l
might depend on it the root of national inder"oud of
was, after all, successful agriculture. He was Pri.ce;
bf
British ships; he was proud of British commerod 5
was proud of British manufactures ; he was 11000
British colonies ; but, after all, the source of Ott Wig
prosperity and of future national independence
t .u'"
grown corn—native British home grown wheat' s retard
THE AGApEmoNE.—According to the census
head Jo
which was made by " Henry James Prince, ".a7iivichlT„
the family in the Abode of Love, sixty-five inusarral'o
were located there on the night of the 31st of late cello
It appears by the description of the persons in t JO,
paper, that all, except Henry James Prince ti Vqlo
Prince his wife, are enjoyers of this local board_uder
slight tenure indeed, as they are described n°,4ili'lg
head of "relation to head of family," some as. of 'cif
and the others as servants. We give the analyst!
pious sect:-5 clergymen without cure of soult's Ito).
engineer; 1 landed proprietor; 1 member of taitaelsa.
College of Surgeons, not practising ; 2 all° 6111 a 'O,
solicitor and master extraordinary; 1 gentleman; iabs.
holders ; 1 farmer of 509 acres, employing thirty
ers ; 2 groom ; 1 post-boy ; 3 helpers in the %lief's; I
shoemaker ; 8 women house-servants ; 2 dressessealto
servant boy ; 3 carpenters ; 1 mason ; launch feria 0;
tailor ; nine wives of visitors ; unmarrires (00
visitors ; 1 unmarried male visitor, sixteen yea of ageeiati
1 ditto seven years of age ; 2 ditto three Years forlf,eo3
female visitors, one of them six and the othergs. $
old. Total of males, 30 ; total of females,
are but 5 children, of the respective ages o','-' 7, tbo too
and 2 years. It is evident from the retaraiatia'.'oo
" Abode of Love" does not depend for its po.r, preo„,e,
an increase from members residing within 'ir plledgeg
as, although the males and females are so rlea!:th P
those who have been paired are not blessed vit, uereo
of wedded love."-.—Sonzerset County Gagel erneram„erf
e pa
nd
that in consequence of an announcement inn ,":'„en,
that " Mr. Calcraft," the professional ha g lark
THE VOLUNTEER HANGMEN.—It will be r
ry 0
rdeavyolting to the ,fe05e13,1,
execution, at Ipswich, a number of letters were
_teal
by the governor of the gaol and the sheriff, vol 0.';040.0
fixed for Marla re
humanity. Mr. Charles Dickens in his " -r!°te 0117
Words,' publishes, publishes, he assures us, literal transcrlP 501/
letters in question. One requests " a speedy °nor f
atonoptherefrormthe
stating terms—say, not less than £20." AnotheroP:ig
"if well Paid lam Redey to do it myself. You filstitigi,
engagement
office o n theso
all expenses Down, as I am in Desperate Circa!'"
—hoping this is in secrecy." Another, addressito Tot
Sherriff," from Southwark, says, " I will PeisrlOW
duties of Hangman for the execution of Marta
the consideration of Sixty Pounds for my seir,nsio6'oo
Another writes, " I will volunteer to do the
the terms are liberal and suit me." Another bat am/
your man if your terms will suit me; that lat ther°4o
to have for the work, and how am I to geon
Another " offers to perform the office of hangs," os tog
sum of £5O to be paid on completion of, sotoalate
Another makes the intimation : " I have I°fitl44oo°_
been after the birth and am well acquainted ' acre'
and I wonder he did not mention myjob
application at Horsemonger lane for the Wiestoo renotei
but Calcraft attended himself." Another, !all ref add/
writes : " I will undertake the said Office
rated, and as time is short please to say the 'i th prvor
will come by return of Post." The twel P-1017A1
made on the moderate condition, "If you corthed ra
expenses from Wigan and Back and 5 pounds 'auctit/regrio
HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The Pr° Pi AO
„ her
eased
Beethoven's glorious opera of " Fidelio at nzea',, 0040
Theatre is a fact as honourable to the l'neigio ,10
has proved welcome to the public. " psi"' o'o
opera, stands in its solitary glory. The chie,iaer_ditts'i,
success must be awarded to Mademoiselle SOPu in .."40b11
Three years ago, Mademoiselle Cruvelli, fool
operas of Donizetti and Verdi, made a highs)! volii°ol
impression, and was considered a drams'i-enorce ,
unusual promise for her years (she was then t o°o°o
The interval between then and the }gels arts
been spent by the young artist in various Prof% Irer
many and Italy, where she followed her rtott'A
career with a success always increasin_ enetna 1);,
month, Mr. Lumley had the good fortune t° brourtioeli
for the Italian Theatre in Paris, where gainiest pores
season to a close with some performances of toe b,,
ampled brilliancy. Mademoiselle Cruvel'l44lntederii
good use of her time. The mere fact t_c7epee' 6
debut in such a work as " Fidelio"—a wOrk 5,/ in ti!..001,
all that bears the name of Italian opera °,t labtatoTtt
of Leonora, without comparison the 11°0iytietiatiLt
trying, and difficult in the entire ranee of t earairahe T:ft
already entitles Mademoiselle Cruvelli to ad butt
_espo:.,
her courage, and praise for her good taste ver3T,Jere Pio
that she did full justice to the character, 11:1_;ae, taierel;lll
vocal and histrionic, and that, since Mallueic fry is 0051
been no representative of Beethoven's !Prat beribe Pot
can support the slightest comparison w_l_ee old
more important, since it places her at eut ent11.003,51,
rank of dramatic singers. From her firs 4 the ety,
scene, she showed an entire appreciation,ooon.o7,oo
exigencies of the part, and her earnest ars:t
nually courted attention. Her higher o°'`'highe't of
iy
the Age V
ably clear and brilliant; what may be the - the -00'
register we cannot pretend to say, but in talc°
second act with Florestan. we heard her ,f
alt with the greatest Me, force; and trap 1'

de'
be
but
the

1 '4. 1840. ! 1845.1 1850. ;Total) ;, ~,_
1 ! • ..
_
126 ~..
,*, ---..._ ..._____,-.!.._____ -.
lEve4,% 237 k,,,,5-tS.I 8. .e B. ,e , Per cent.
182711n,„'" 025 017, 0 262 10 273 0.873 0 1873 .1 5.46 1828,1,"'" 112 101 10 250 0 262 10 825 0 1825 0 5.25 14201 inn%"" 100 olig ,0237 10252 0 777 0 1777 01 5.04
1830, OOn-v
57 16,-0. 'n'22s 0,241 10,729 0 17'29 0 4.83
`4llinn,,- " 011 a , u 212 10,231 0 681 0 1681 0 4.62
12,7 u 62 /0,;! 10 200 0220 10 633 0 1633 0 4.41
111,33,"°0 50 01,,n3 0 187 10210 0 585 01 1585 0, 4.20
,18341j,,1.1,1, 37 10 inn" 10,175 0199 101537 0, 1537 01 3.90
,48,18 10 25 0 ''', 0 162 10,189 01489 0' 1489 0, 3.78
18361-m, 12 in -',l 10150 0178 10441 0 1441 0; 3.57
1837- 1 10
10;168 0'593 0, 1393 01 3.36
~..10,,. •• g, .
'4811A‘.7 ,„.. 10 125 01157 101345 01 1345 01 3.15
L1i,39:00 " •iti 0 112 10,147 0309 101 1309 10 2.94
a40:14,," :: ,17. 10,100 0,136 10'2-4 01 1274 01 2.73
1 1 '*F...._-'' :a 087 10126 0,238 101 1238 10, 2.52
Its42iwo •• 12 10' 75 01115 10,203 0 1203 0, 2.21
84„31,-ot° ••
•• 62 101105 0 167 10 1167 10 2.10
irtlio ..
" 50 of 94 10 144 10 1144 10 1.89
:45in7 :• •• 37 101 84 0 121 10 1121 10 1.68
2.46, 0%0 • • 25 0; 73 10 98 10 1098 10 1.47
117110," ••
•• 12 101 63 075 10 1075 10 1.26
1051 - ••
•• 1 52 10 52 10 1052 10 1.05
1,4.,,-*9; ' ' ••
- 142042 0, 1042 0 1.05
1""1111000111 : •• :: 13110 31 101 1031 10 1.05
21 0 21 0 1021 0 1.05
- ,101010 10 1010 101 1.05

kdri'
_uitio, • .

--, ex; ,noincies are vested when the Policies have been
i 'Blence for Fib Years from the date of the risk
tip: the it
Illkommencing.
NVlifpr,lts, c thpgrts submitted, the mode in which the inves.tiga-
)ll4ooL'utted, and the principles and data on which the
tare-144. the Company's transactions proceeded, were
0 fully
r e a
e4444(1 4tTlie.follov.ing Extracts will serve.to shew t. e,. $.1,,,etA1:..,e4t10n with which the whole investigation was
v 4 kic2,
ib: 4),•ltt nt.sfr°ln REPORT of the Investigation
t no. Committee.
qtiarioalnitotp
ihave now the, pleasure of that
aTelps(ll; .!s3vetn.
to teas been btro'eut,o•ChetntiopaaniatsisfactorY close.
Drote'l.lo Port Prepared b th Mana,er, and now submitted
' 4t Winqr.,_ds, sheN, et
y eult of the calculations, and the
!4+ro;)la„alici,:'.'l4B arise‘ns duhreinrgesthe quinquennial period.
dula sitotolt to this Report, your Committee have
principlesreceived
oar.ata et, Lls,Pir the fullest explanation [is to the _
Dtee7ettohjatch he has proceeded in valuing the Company's
1114-.!tiatl j: 4114 they have satisfied themselves that every
Sad oirek, as been taken to secure accuracy; while the me-
tal. Isle- ed, as ex I • in the Report, is not only sound
,fte onlit priric,
,P ',lined
Of t;iti4toYlope4Pplr!odt such asto leave, for the future, a very
Lile ene_aveililt'iti,tlee have. considered it their duty,. in the course
7pt i"'Pany'quon, to examine minutely every investmentof
ki,iClnatne4,,a,lßl to consider carefully the value of every
Nl',tee '''s " a fund in the statements brought before h .
1,,,0 ourse of that inquiry they remitted to a Sub-orn-
illteiNTelY JAiwss ROBUERTSON, Writer to the Signet,
fielliekti) 411.R1 /1A At MURRAY, Writer to the Sig.nt et,eowAo_
~eY114,, Thr. feolli tro.uble to enable them to report h
,tz,li e blade :,....."'llig is an Extract from the Reportwi which
4107,r
(I%tilleittri ""th' PORT of Sub-Committee On Investments.
14141 s .4.....4er laid hefore your Sub-committee the following
' .tie 4
2, ~,.by Liatement of the Company's securities, submitted
The hole
totto the
on Investigation Committee.
3' itrltingetibi_ s, mortgages, bills,andoathnedr writings,
, letsurgtestmesnet Company;iitreieteiersdofthi containing anabstract of these
ill'lothe carrie_s; a 8 well as Company's Ledger shewing
It'btsferr,„Bltb-C(7l,lriding entries. l'es,theaoß the kittee examined the Deeds and other Dttceum-
,, TO. ' !looks aZPa,uY's Securities, and coh p d
O,OOON, 5nb..... tatement, and found them to cor-
ill, a s!ois, „ti, k.romitittee to atisfacrio elative re further examined the original loan,
411,141 y are nOf eport.raals, and your Sub-Commetrttey h e
-of the
itetOUr Suh in,ost 11,1,414', that the Condo and pro') ,0411,111 iponi-,Oltznit.' Y secured.
.11Q•,, 4 trio,':'rY? %id, tee have also coanfaideredtacmprtohpeercs9umb--
14, Pro,„ ...actio ,Plher the return of Interest p
t t resent, and —is es
bitiV4
''eet
j'r"" meeting4licielitT.,, the rate on which the oin-
aetilel);,Caa4i?slinationfi arelmn afudteu.r in this respect they are co.m-
-,lter;,"Yoll , ett as regards the present, a large profit a_ riNsvi.n.gl
ov'tlee tn 'Merest in the course of the business; and, with
pet tonia,•wh'ine future, they see every probability of the Com
Kt teebr tatelg to Maintain, even on greatly increasing funds,
'''ttier,st• ti,a‘n is assumed in their calculations, as Three v4llll 'e uasts of the Rates in the large class of Policies
& In the Profits.
(Signed) ~ _

" JAMES ROBERTSON
" T. G. MURRAY."

TRH
ez ~
'' 11 ironi the REPORT by the Board of Directors to
ate e
tir,Mveltdditiee the General Meeting. . .
414" Of r, leaden Bto the Company's Policies now declared,
'rkontr,7araollnt, and it will be perceived that the prin-
of the
Itre°ete44 s;:te, adopted from the original'
system
m those
.4.teetS let„,za'ry OF LONDON, is developing itself,
fe4tt Weiletity? coallected with the Institution deriving the
k, her ~11111te;,
itodtrPtL,l art,,rY at this time to dweil on, or illustrate
ori e,Neff:ncf„„We of division followed by the LoNnoowil
!lthlit-taany'l tiiii"._*, acted on by this Company, as thse n
ee
ig Pr p. tit.; er-'4Ol, uainted with it, as brought under noti '4l' cOi- the 11A-bati j.,,,Ni011S ; but the Directors will take
ocraTe.
itheeh • atrenc,Steej)--,continue to shew Maceorelisoswiveevwer, itco
I.titll to bel°,t) to 4 twit Will not be out of
of the Bonus
t.oheSs. fronl oi'oen, 4ture in the applicationnr
• d by the Directors,
tliptle:°kierate aci'vaprommentlycjord b this Company to
otio tit „lir in th ca Otages affor e Y
Ye II otth .11e.by tirrender of the Bonus additions, either
Ltte al. P ti,sa Payment, or by compensation or re-
11t17, lit,i2lable ;;1 Premium for the whole of life or a period
0."14 Zilh`„yrill -01..W.ir1:; the terms on which such surrenders.
NO ' vabli.b- ''Eached to each Bonus certificate issued,
Ott
j.titttt%tione-iped with the Company's blesn,ei!
e'4,111%15r,;14 soros ? 'ls an it of theworkingg of thee)o .
h'iilite tb•Pcy,34l4tances Policies can not only
.be relieved!:
41:44et p„,,e IL,Peceive , Of Premium, but have received, and will
16ector,'"Qrge additions to the sum assured.
of
ti 11114444-.0 114)/V ree°4ld make a very contrasts.atisfactory
Ilticoo t1r,,4 f 0,... Ported, with those in many other Institu-
-4ntritiß th-..ie er. occasions thedid not hesitaotletoofdodire.
qt. b. • the • Drinei i
tlb.letzith ,veine th_
.1) e of this Company's
;i4leijhb: out they Increased advantages affmorded by the
biSIL t. ntilry "aeY
toear now satisfied to let the public make
4h, 4 the results, and draw their own con-
ti teDO '
•0411 - A.olPng' the res lt of the business of the year at
iOillLlN‘DOftssti,i4l General Meetings the Directors have fre-
-44644thtti1l to cm their satisfaction 'at the progress of the
1)441',„4 of cogratulation, but it is in very different
tz4 „,,_ ory. ‘l,Av refer to the Company's positio7"l"okuimci
41;411:Y1;4qt, all 1,, Investigation of the must sem c ing
se_
1,4' t„,Drcied, 411(1 ,e Company's transactions have beenan .
iliilq4etOleft
4., there is a new beginning, with a sure
Al
tttiti N. iiie, wilii:til,reloped in the existing transactions.
fi den ce o the
11.,11;i411A !ie gro„'e.sDirectors seek thaeec
Itliztie leltine coirpuan,y title imTtrtet f.artgonneed not be for-
largest business in
,I,ttiollettthatlrhtpll
tOne exception,rasa the largest business
.in
ctil..ht i'') 414. they 'lave a large Icome, and a large and in-
-4111 vested in the most secure and satisfactory
111 'Ntli 1/tBOLUT
kt, eb"i ''ittil ,e, j . lONS, adopted by the Board of Di-
soatiliceetor ,
kib nutted as to the creation of a class of
1 Lite fled sot ~.LECT ASSURANCES.
t). 488 that itbe STA
11,0,1 ~,e 14.11
,tier . NpA RD LIF E Af!SURANCE COM PA NY
op ett ai3O gest, time when so important a contract
,iiiieNn_t4tri esti3„nlicy ought to become " unchallengeable.:'s
'IN th'ityj ctlak "el that the condition of the Company.
ti h_ 0„..4 ti„ residence within the limits of ,urope i
•glysiDthe'olretrriass of assurance transactions, and
let ,„. kletl thtfyrs,it?F loathe assured the benefit of the
._ ~' t ~,
.:.itilg
fl.DelletitvO CL RESOLUTIONS.
ti'vNiieley the ES
OF SELECT ASSURANCES shall be
to,htlittLt'4l'nPartiglaarlm. itted to the " FIRST CLASS
Itgoi! the ps4SSURANCES and who shall continue
proithlly, si: ailing' due upon these Policies
liti,,''' wh-„,ad be UNCHALLENORABLE" upon any
I tee' -8 the -'ever, and the Assured mav without for-
ht ele or %e Polici " '
t, ,011 . travel • es, or payment of extra Premiums,
ctes of 41 5,!Y part of the world.
in the Op BE, l'arties admitted to the " SECOND
'ng eAisti .'„CT ASSURANCES," shall be subject
litrsi,Jlß k;onditions of the Company as to resid-
iotiOts,' int beyond the limits of • Europe, and ag
1, 44011.114 or Xaval service ; but, with these excep-
'tlist be thseibtinle Premiums
441.: arti°ei,"`e,.lY UNCllALLEa:\leDErAegnutisarly paid, shall
L., 1414tqui,Wat79 hold Policies with the Company of
-N .I,4^ftlterglit, Drinshall be admissible to theae,Classes
1%440 e,f,._4llsttrttri"cee shall extend to existino as well ollietilecßottrl4ell'itsacnacteia.l.l attend admission to either Class
of tiOd orMton to these Classes,.aFeihrsetaoser,Second, shall
4th Itad„Y•the 07,,,,c cireMnstanceio to be judged
'04;14.t 14 thei3tetnrs and that a special application be
Z'4 ei 4041°11 the aaruPrDirectors accordingly. .
e , th. osie„ PPlication being granted, a certificate
'"°l/ -ui " Shatt he
ote; rectors. enunder the hands of three
lit:' , t4e4gr 'ire
.8.1-7,iti •
rp , -7,eeii CS ro the Special Report of
ht!tolltC'llkettgatic'n Committee
Olt eqootriNt ALLE,on the subjec .
te 4 qtee At th 'tee cow" °I
ABLE POLICIES.
ire:l4444d,
ite poliey.olfder io be dangerous and impo-
-411,1b rhea t Itacliall gratiting at. once, on an Assurance
Nis 4 il 'Me vpi engeable Policy ; but they think there
4 tt, t t Sims leo 4, imp IN Itobe Dr ().r the aas eortant a contract should be-
toplN et . Ito, the ectae Derio,lr 01, an unchallengeable deed.
, tsfet butlialiew, . when the assurance should be
i I hn_st tii ciet,tvour 7, table class, is for the consideration
on,onfindmittee consider a period of five
t)tilktrkielitpst statiD4r7bati
41 1.001, Ni q li, nk to 1: i they propose to admit all P0..4
..4 net apet,4loll, ,I,ch Will
..RS-aas -of-`lelcef Assurances,' the
it Vll Surat ever 7. 100 folly explained 'hereafter.
:sopa 4is ii be
etation,'4rld. not be a matter of course,
NI A ? tili4elto etked the at,if a doubtful contract should
4.0, lei. t slich sto n. If not previously stopped—not
Y ft.,') oileernjany intnitges will occur, as the care
Ai theneld, a ver,t.aetvildmission of lives make
bettinniniennem
ialeenntggirea.ntazieedti:;:et they

THE Reports and Statements submitt, d were received
with much applause, and the following observations were made
thereafter by gentlemen present :
CHARLES PEARSON, Esq., the Auditor of the Company—
After the Reports you have just heard read, it seems unneces-
sary for me to take up the time of the meeting by any detail
in regard to the mode in which the investigation has been con-
ducted, or the principle on which it has been based—but as a
member of the investigation Committee, I may be allowed to
express the satisfaction I feel as to the manner in which the
whole valuation has been made and tested. As to the prospect
of future Profits, I would only further call attention, as Mr.
Thompson has done in his Report, to the large sum which has
not been taken into account in estimating the present surplus
fund, arising from the per centages or additions made to the
net Premiums having been deducted from the Premiums pay-
able before these are valued. It is quite proper that these ad-
ditions should be thrown off before valuation ; but I am aware
that it is not an uncommon practice to encroach largely on this
prospective fund, which forms so important an element of fu-
ture success; and I may mention that if we had so anticipated
our Profits, even to a limited extent, we might have easily de-
clared greatly increased additions to our Policies. But Mr.
Thompson has very properly thrown off these additions before
making his calculations, and I think it must be most satisfac-
tory to the meeting to know that this source of future Profits
is thus left untouched. And it is not only a satisfaction to
ourselves to know that such is the case, but it is also to a great
extent a guarantee to the public for the maintenance, at future
investigat►ons, of those large benefits which the Company are
now enabled to confer.
F. L. ROY, Esq., of Nenthorn—l beg to move that the Re-
port be approved of. It is a report which must be satisfactory
to every one connected with the Company; and not only so,
but must exceed, I think, their most sanguine expectations,
more especially when they consider the great and rapid exten-
sion of business that has taken place, and the safe investments
that have been secured for the realised capital. The large
Bonuses which the Company, with all security and safety, has
been enabled to give to its members, shows that the most un-
divided attention has been devoted to its business by the Di-
rectors, Manager, and all connected with it; and I am sure
every one must feel grateful to them for the exertions they
have made to render this great and flourishing Society what it
is.

GEORGE PATTON, Esq., Advocate - I beg most cordially to
second the motion that has now been made, and to express my
entire concurrence with the views that have been expressed by
Mr. Roy. I am quite sure that all parties interested in the
prosperity of the Company must feel equally gratified at what
has this day been laid before us in the Report. I have the
good fortune to have an insurance that was effected in this
Company in 1825, to the extent of £500; and I find by the
announcement to-day that the amount of increase on that
policy is no less than .E 436 10s.—(hear, hear)—so that if I
should have the misfortune to die to-morrow, my representa-
tives would have a fund at their disposal of .t'9oo and up-
wards, instead of £5OO, which might, at one period, have been
anticipated. I quite concur in the observations of the Audi-
tor as to the safe and cautious principles on which the investi-
gation has been conducted; and perhaps I may be able to
speak with some more authority on that matter, from the cir-
cumstance of my having, at one time, taken a share in the la-
bours of the Investigation Committee. lam certain that
nothing has been given in the shape of divisable profit that has
not been truly realised; and that in no respect whatever has
the future prosperity of the Company been anticipated. This
being the case, it is extremely satisfactory to find that we are
able to offer to parties who intend to insure, as well as to such
as are holders of existing insurances the advantages detailed
in the Report. It is also exceedingly gratifying to find that
we are in the position of taking the lead in the introduction of
new and greatly additional benefits to the insured—Orear,
hear.) This we are able to do from time to time as experience
may justify, from the nature of our constitution as a Com-
pany, and the facilities created by the Acts of Parliament
which we have obtained for our special regulation and go-
vernment. From the results laid before us this day, and the
explanations that have been given as to our future prospects,
we may confidently feel the assurance that, great as our suc-
cess has hitherto been, we may look for a greater share of
success and prosperity in the time that is to come—(hear,
hear.)
Dr. A. Noon-1 do not rise to make any general observa-
tions on the Report, further than to express my entire ap-
proval of what has been so well said respecting it by the gen-
tlemen who have spoken. But there is one particular part of
the Report on which I may be allowed to make a remark,--I
mean that part of it which relates to the proposed, or rather I
should say adopted, change in regard to the payment of medi-
cal fees by the Company. As a member of the medical pro-
fession, I rejoice that this Company have come forward to do
what I consider to be an act of justice as regards the medical
profession, as well as, in my opinion, an act of good policy as
regards themselves. I say an act of justice as regards the
medical profession, because I must be allowed to say, that that
profession has had much reason to complain for many years,
that they have been furnishing to Insurance Companies valu-
able information, for which no proper remuneration has been
made. I know that there has been a difference of opinion in
regard to the question, whether such payments should be made
by the Companies themselves, or by those insuring in them.
Into that question I will not enter; but will just remark, that
while both parties have agreed so far that we who are con-
nected with the profession should be remunerated for our
labour, we have never yet been so remunerated. I feel satis-
fied, however, that the Standard Company has taken such a
step as referred to in the Report, the question may be held as
virtually settled. I may state that the medical profession
generally have now taken up this matter earnestly, and both
the Colleges in Edinburgh- the College of Physicians and the
College of Surgeons—as well as the Faculty of Physicians and
Surgeons in Glasgow, have passed resolutions on the subject of
a most decided character. It is extremely gratifying to find
that this Company, without any pressure from without, has
taken this step, and such being the case, I feel that the Com-
pany deserves, in a particular manner, the thanks of the
medical profession.

JOHN 'bms, Esq., Advocate.—There is one subject to
which a considerable portion of the very valuable and most
gratifying Report we have heard was devoted, which, I think,
calls for some observation from the meeting, alike from its
importance and its novelty. It is that which has been this day,
• .in my opinion, very appropriately designated as "Select Assu-
rances." We all know very well what a vast amount of pro-
perty is now held in this country in the shape of Policies of
Insurance, and how important are the interests secured by
such contracts; and I need scarcely remark, that with every
one who has turned his attention to the matter this point has
formed the subject of reflection—namely, to what risk of ob-
jection or challenge is such a species of property or security
exposed, and how far can such risk of objection be obviated?
Lawyers are accustomed to say that a policy of insurance is
pre-eminently, and far above all other contracts, one of good
faith; and it results necessarily from that proposition, that if,
in the original transaction, there be anything material to the
risk undisclosed—which ought to come within the knowledge,
as well as receive the assent, both of the assurer and the as-
sured—the contract must be void. It may be said that this
apprehension, though weil founded in theory, is, in truth, of
no great importance in practice, because it is well known that
Insurance Companies are excessively disinclined to challenge
policies even on strong grounds; still, in the minds of parties
not familiar with the subject, or not acquainted with the parti-
cular Company by which a particular policy is issued, there do
exist necessarily certain apprehensions and doubts as to whe-
ther, when the time arrives for the payment of the money,
some difficulty may not arise, from something in the original
constitution of the contract, that will vitiate it entirely. Now,
if this evil can in any way be obviated, whether by a change in
the law or by a change in the practice of Insurance Companies,
I am sure that no one can hesitate to say that it would be a
great public benefit; and it noes appear to me that your Direc-
tors have the merit of promulgating, for the first time, a plan
which promises to be completely successful in achieving that
result. I. need not say that I deprecate, as strongly as any man
can do, the abolition or alteration of those general rules of law
by which contracts of insurance have been hitherto regulated,
because I would consider it not only as a most disastrous po-
licy for the Insurance Companies themselves, but brie which
they are not entitled to adopt, as being highly prejudicial to
public morals, if they were, from the first, to waive absolutely
their right to challenge policies on the ground of fraud. That.
would bee premium on the commission of fraud, and it would
assuredly be followed by its plain and obvious consequences.
But if, by introducing some satisfactory criterion, we are ena-
bled, with tolerable accuracy, to judge when the contract is one
beyond all reasonable suspicion, we then arrive at the result
intended to be reached, with perfect safety to the Company,
and without any prejudice br risk whatever to the Policy-
holder or the public ; and I think the guarantee offered by a
period of five years' regular payment of the premiums, and
by the total absence of all ground of suspicion during the con-
tinuance of that five years, as proposed, is quite sufficient for
the purpose. No man, except in some very extraordinary and
exceptional case, will make a fraudulent contract of insurance,
with the purpose of continuing payment of the premiums for
five years, in the expectation that the fraud will not be de-
tected. I give my voice most heartily, therefore, in favour of
the proposition, that such insurances should be admitted into
a class, in Which, after five years shall have elapsed, and the
Directors are satisfied that the Policy-holder is entitled to the
privilege, the only condition of the contract' shall thenceforth
be payment of the premium, all the other conditions being held
to be fulfilled or passed from. But the object of instituting
this class of " Select Assurances" being to create an absolute
indefeasibility of
:property to be represented by the policy, it
is necessary' also to provideagainst certain supervening cir-
cumstances -widthinfer a violation of the conditions of the
policy. By far the greater number of policies issued by any
office are to parties who never were, and perhaps never will be,
beyond the four seas;. and certainly there are very few indeed
that are held on the hvgs of individuals who go beyond Europe,
which is the only limit assigned to the travels or residence of
our assured. Suppose we find that we have a policy that has
endured for a period of five years on the life of a person in
Great Britain who, from his occupation, habits, or other cir-
cumstances, is very unlikely ever to go abroad, and still less to
visit any dangerous climate, you have here an opportunity of
giving additional value to the policy, by dispensing with the
condition of extra premium in such an event, without greatly
exposing the interests of the office. Thus, by conferring these '
two privileges on " Select Assurances," you greatly enhance

T. H. BROOKING, Esq., Merchant, London.—On the part of
the London Board of Directors, I have great pleasure in ac-
knowledging the compliment that has been paid to us. After
the very eloquent speech that we have heard from the gentle-
man on the other side of the room (Mr. Inglis), I feel that the
hands of the London Board will be materially strengthened in
the performance of tl.eir duties, to which, I do not hesitate to
say, they have hitherto paid great attention. (Hear, hear ) We
have been greatly facilitated in the superintendence of the bu-
siness of the office, by the very efficient assistance that we have
derived from the Secretary, and, indeed, from the whole esta-
blishment, which I consider to be kept up in the highest order
and discipline. We will now return to our duties with a de-
termination to give even more of our attention to them, if that
be possible, so as to lead to an increase of that prosperity
which this Company has already experienced in so eminent
a degree. (Applause.)
WILLIAM Woon, Esq., Surgeon.—l move the thanks of the
meeting to the various eflice-Bearers of the Company for their
efficient services in the discharge of their respective duties,
and more particularly to the Manager, to whose talent, zeal,
and industry, the Company is in a great measure indebted for
the high status it has gained among Assurance Companies.
ALEXANDER JAMES. RUSSELL' Esq., C.S.—I beg to propose
a vote of thanks to an important body of gentlemen connected
with this Company—the Medical Officers. Much has to be
trusted to them, and, as a Director, I can bear testimony to
the efficient manner in which their duties are performed.
Without their valuable aid no office could succeed. Indeed,
unless they did their duty well and faithfully, life assurance
would be a most precarious business.
PROFESSOR CnRISTISON said—l have been requested by the
Directors to give a short account of a medical examination I
have made of the Company's emerged risks for the last five
syuearerds
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out some interesting results, in the way of practical hints, for
the future guidance of the Directors. But a great part of these
details are unfit for production at this meeting; but I must be
satisfied with mentioning the most prominent facts connected
with the causes and circumstances of death among the assu-
red. The total deaths in five years have been 297; but six
must be deducted, as having been special assurances, or for
other reasons. The remaining 291 deaths I have arranged
nearly according to the method of the Registrar-General in
London, and with only one important deviation. Deaths by
consumption have been removed from the class of diseases Of
the chest, and arranged, with a few others, under the head of
Death from Diseases of Depraved Constitutional Habit. For
it is most important that all diseases of that nature shall be
kept carefully in view by Assurance Companies, since they
constitute the principle denomination of diseases which a skil-
ful examination of those proposing assurance may enable the
directors to foresee and avoid. The first head is Gradual
Decay, which accounts for only 12 deaths. I know Assurance
Companies are in the custom of congratulating themselves
when this head is a large one, on the assumption that it indi-
cates many deaths in old age. But this is a mistake. Few
old persons die of gradual decay without specific disease. Old
age has its diseases as well as youth. Directors should know
these •, and they may depend upon it, that, when many deaths
are returned as the result of gradual decay, this is merely a
proof that the returns are made carelessly or ignorantly. I
would rather congratulate the Company, then, on the deaths
from this cause being so small, as affording proof that the real
causes have in general been thoroughly ascertained; and I
would like to see them fewer still, especially as a life which
drops from what is called gradual decay by no means always
does so to the advantage of the Company. The next head—
Death from Fever, Malignant Cholera, Scarlet Fever, and other
Epidemic and Infectious Diseases—is a numerous one in this
list; because, as every one knows, Scotland, and Ireland in
particular, have been visited during the last five years by a se-
vere epidemic of cholera, and a much worse one of typhus
fever. No fewer than 67 have died of diseases of this class,
and 55 of them from typhus and cholera alone. These 55 may
be considered in a great measure as an extra loss; for in all
probability proper sanatory measures would have prevented
them. This is a very important matter for the consideration
of all Assurance Companies; for, contrary to what has been
thought by many, typhus and cholera do not seem in all epide-
mics to attack chiefly the the feeble and unsound, so as merely
to cut of a little sooner those who would perish at any rate at
no distant period by ordinary disease at large; at least I find
that a very large proportion of deaths from these diseases iit
the Company's list—no less than 17 out of 20 deaths from cho-'
lera, and nearly the same proportion among among thoee from
fever, Lave occurred among what would undoubtedly be consi-
dered Ly every one as select lives. Another serious considera-
tion is, that most deaths from these causes occur early in life,
and consequently, in general, very soon after assurance is
effected. And further, these are diseases which no care on the
part of directors or their medical referees can foresee and
guard against. The head of Diseases of the Brain and Nerves
is always a large one with every Assurance Company, and
amounts in this list to 54, or 181 per cent. of the whole deaths.
This result corresponds closely with what was obtained some
years ago by Dr. Begbie, in an investigation into the causes of
death among those assured in the *offish Widows' Society.
According to the number found by Dr. Begbie, the number of
deaths from diseases of the brain and nerves in this Company's
list should have been 60. The same close approximation I find
to occur on most other points, showing how similar are the re-
sults when different Companies proceed upon the same general
principles of selection. Diseases of the Chest, excluding con-
sumption, account for 38 deaths. According to the number in
Dr. Begbie's list, it should have been 36. Diseases of the Cir
ciliation embrace 25 deaths. Diseases of the Organs of Diges-
tion account for 34, which is no great number, considering that
during the period of investigation dysentery has been epidemic
bo hin Scotland and Ireland. In fact, only 11 deaths have
been owing to that disease. Only 8 deaths are ascribed to
Diseases of the Urinary and Generative Organs; but the
greater number of the cases of death from dropsy, which I
have been compelled to arrange under the head of Diseases of
Uncertain Seat— since dropsy is seldom, properly speaking, a
disease, but merely a symptom of various organic diseases—
must be held to belong to the present head, as probably de-
pending upon diseases of the kidneys, The only other import-
ant head is that of death from Diseases of Depraved Constitu-
tional Habit. This amounts to 34, and ought to be larger, for
many of the cases of death from diseases of the stomach, and
probably some of those from diseases of other organs, as they
arise from what are called in medicine malignant diseases,
ought to be arranged in the same section. Of the 34 deaths,
29 arose from consumption—a small proportion, certainly, of
the total deaths—and owing, I have no doubt, to the more mi-
nute information which, for some years past, the Directors
have made a point of obtaining as to the family history of
those proposing Assurance. Diseases of uncertain seat amount
to 12 ; and the list now closes with 9 of what may be called
Accidental Deaths.
JAMES PERRY, Esq., Dublin.—TheSe Observations of the
learned Professor I consider to be highly encouraging; at toe'
same time, when we find that so large a proportion as 20 per
cent of the deaths arises from epidemic disease, I think it be-
hooves us to give increased attention to sanatory subjects for
the future ; because we may be certain that the greater the
progress made in that direction, the more favourable will be
the results of Life Insurance.
H. MAXWELL INGLIS, Esq., W.S.—I think it must be highly
gratifying to all present this day to have an opportunity of
meeting our friends from the other side of the Channel, afford-
ing, as it does, a most satisfactory proof of the great interest
they take in the prosperity of the Company. lam sure, there-
fore, you will join me most cordially in the motion which I
have to propose, that a vote of thanks be given to the Deputa-
tion from Dublin who have favoured us this day with their
company. (Applause.)
J. BOYCE, Esq., of Dublin.—l beg to return you my best
thanks. It is most gratifying, I can assure you, to be asso-
ciated with a Company so well managed, and possessing a body
of Directors and officials who take such a deep interest in its
affairs.
JOHN SCOTT, Esq., of London.—lt is with no small degree
satisfaction that I rise to acknowledge the assiduous and com-
plete manner in which the Committee of Investigation have
performed time arduous task devOlved upon them. They have.
I think, tirought up a Report which does them infinite credit.
I propose a vote of thanks to them, and I beg to include the
Sub-Committee, who have made such a satisfactory Report as
to the investments of the Company—of the safety of which we
can now speak with the utmost confidence. (Applause.)
DAVID SMITH, Esq., W.S., said,—There is still one part of
the duty of congratulation which remains to be fulfilled, and
that is, to return our cordial thanks to the different agents
throughout the country who have contributed so much to the
welfare of the establishment. It must be evident to every one
that the mere influence of the Ilead Office could never of itself
have placed us in the position which we now occupy. It is to
the local agents that a large portion of the merit of this is due,
for it is to them that we are indebted for that dissemination of
the principles of the Company throughout the country that has
enabled us to a large extent to obtain the support of the public.
But it is not to this dissemination of information only, but to
the investigations that have been made by these agents into the
proposals submitted, that we are indebted for much of the.
success of the office. (Hear, hear.) Permit me just to add,
that there is one allusion made in the Report, to which I think,
as well as others, attention ought to be called: I refer to the
future prospects of the Company. We are now placed in a
very eminent position ; but that very eminence entails upon
us an increased responsibility. The Standard is not nosy
merely a small local office, but a large national establishment, the
prosperity of which affects, in a great degree, the comforts of
thousands. Therefore, I say, that our very position ought to
form a greater stimulus to the Directors, and all connected
with the Company, not only to try to keep up, but, if possible,
to surpass the measure of success that we have hitherto
achieved. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN said,—After the very full Report that has
been submitted to you, and after the observations that have
been made, by which. 1 think, everything in matters of detail
connected with the Report has been already anticipated; I feel
that it would be superfluous to occupy your time with any ge-
neral remarks of mine. But I may be allowed to congratulate
you, and myself at the same time, on the results we have been
able to submit—the liberal bonuses we have been able safely to
add to our policies—and the large additions we have been ena-
bled to make to -the amount of our stock. These results are
the more gratifying, because they have followed, as my friend
Mr. Pearson has described it, as one of the most searching
investigations to which . the affairs of any company could be,
subjected. We have been aided in the preparation of that
Report upon the state of the affairs of the Company by the
services of Mr. Pearson and Mr. MoncrielY, Iwo gentlemen
eminently qualified for the task, and whose names are a gua-
rantee for the accuracy of the results. I do not intend to go
over the particulars of this Report; but there are two points
to which I would advert. The first is that important particular
connected with the principle of our valuation—that while, on.
the one side of the account, we charge the Company with the
whole extent of the obligations under its policies, we do not,
on the other side, take credit for the value of the prospective
premiums as receivable, but subtract a large per centage from
these premiums before valuation, or more correctly, in the
words of the Manager, the pure premiums merely have been
valued, without the large per centages which are added to them.
The difference thus made is very great indeed ; and if we had
stated the premiums at their fun computed value, we should,