The subject of Life Assurance is so important, that any endeavour
to trace its history, however imperfect, may not be unacceptable.
Men toil, work, slave, nay, almost sin for their families; they do
everything but insure: and should this volume induce any one to avail
himself of the benefits of Life Assurance who has not hitherto done so,
or should it attract the attention of others who are ignorant of the
system, the writer will not deem his labour entirely in vain.
The many legends and traditions of the subject, form a page from the
romance of Mammon, which, remarkable as some of the stories may appear,
and fearful as many of them are, form but a small portion of the sad
and stern realities attached to the annals of Life Assurance.
The simple fact, that the payment of a small yearly sum will at once
secure the family of the insured from want, even should he die the
day after the first premium is paid, is sufficiently singular to the
uninitiated; but it is more so, that very few avail themselves of an
opportunity within the reach of all.