The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-03-12
The Insurance Company.

j llG luSul QuCC SOuu pdnyt
A rich capitalist Of Paris, whom | shall
name NJ. Lebrun, was famed for his enter
prising and speculative disposition. Not a
new object was set on foot but he was APP
piled to for his patronage and protection,
and in general whatever he engaged in was
crowned with success. Not long since he
was one morning seated IN his study at his
country house. when cabriOlet drove up To
the door; from it decended young gentle
man of fashionable appearance and fine coun-
teuance not unknown 10 the freguenters of
Toton's. He demanded TO speak to the
master Of the house aud was introduced AT
once TO NJ. Lebrun. His host was III slip
pers and robe dc ckdniJre. for he loved to live
as indoIenily as he could when moi immersed
in the whirlpool of business at Paris.
You will excuse me, monsieur said the
Young man taking possession ot the arm
chair, YOU will excuse me foi troubling yonr
retirement BY speaking to you of matters of
speculation. but the affair in question is of
grave importance and pressing mature; 1t
may have consequences so morally useful to
society. and 50 cxorhitantly lucrative for the
projectors that | feel convinced Of your
forgiveness for speaking to you respecting it.
Speak on, Monsieur, am all attention.
said the capitalist, crossing his legs and draw
ing his dressing gown closely arouni him.
Who could have ever supposed SAID the
stranger with great sOlemnity, that in quit
ting an age of doubt and incert.tudc like the
last. we should enter period so remarkable
Tor its desire to make all fixed and certain as
the present. In the eighteenth century ev-
e.: Thing was overturned because the world
DOUBTED everything; in the nineteenth no
doubt exists, because nothing isleit 10 chance
Ii is by he means OF insurance that society
is re organizing itself. What is there that
is not insuredl Nay, it has been whispered
that The Nessrs, Rolhsciiiid think seriously
OF offering a company fer insuring kings on
their thrones, and for fixing ministers OF state
in their portfeuilles; in fact, insurance is the
great instrument by which will be brought
about that advanced state of humanity so
frnillessy sought Tor by Fourier, ST. Simon.
and
But what is the meaning ofthis preamble I!
interrupted the master OF the mansion, in a
dry metalic voice. You are aware, pre-
sumo. that require something posiliye-ac-
tual-palpab!e,' laying stress on each ex-
preston
My project unites all these qualities said
the stranger.
Well, then, lei us have it without further
prelIminaries, said the other.
The fact is. SAID the protector; that the
matter is of SO delicate a nature, that am
obliged to prepare you for nv proposal
Il think can guess that ii relates to an
insurance company. What is tyou propose
10 iasure, Monsieur
Since must speak positively, my plan Is
to ensure marriageabe girls against the
great evils Of their existence-against being
old maids
'Hum--m-m, ruminated the man o.
wealth, again fixing round him his robe de
chambre, which the slight irritation of III;
moment had displaced, the idea is very in
genious.'
You perceive that the natural desire which
must arise in every lady's bosom TO avoi,
celIbacy, will incline her to insure, and thu
profits must be enormous
Yes, that is clear enough; but how vii
you manage the rate Of insurance
That must be graduated. according TO tn
beauty, fortune and talants of each. Tn
chances of old maidhood cannotbe the sam
fof Il, nor do propose to insure all for tn
same age; one may be fixed al twenty. an
other at twenty-five, and third even SO lat
as thirty-ive. Ifalter The expiration oil IN
term agreed on - lady remains without
HUSBAND. tut luutliluill IuUSt pC paul. "i'
this will constitute a fo,tune which, in many
cases, will obtain for her the partner she de
sires.'
But will the company reserve to itself the
power Of acting in any way it may deem ad
visabe to procure husbands for the insured
before the term ;&ed ONT
Most assuredly-the company Of course
cannot renounce any means of bringing
about its object, but must employ all which
NAV seem advantageous, in fact the lpdem
nifty will scarcely ever be paid, and that j:
the reason why the speculation is so splen
did,
'Yes,I see there must arise some gains
Immense profits, and not single loss 10
terrupted the advocate OF the new Insurance
company. seeing thai his host was balancin;
towards the project. If an insurance is Ell
fected against death, nothing can hinder then
from dying; lift effected against fire how
can you prevent houses from burning; 1t yoI
insure against periis Of water how can ship
wrecks be put stop to- But insurins
against remaining single, all You have TO dc
is to marry off as quickly as possible YOU
customers
lsuppose the company will take care to
have always at its disposal number of gen.
tlemanly bachelors of good character and