We owe to Mr. Glyn, when chairman of the London and Birmingham Railway,
the first light on the subject of railway accidents. He proved that
they were far less by the iron road than by the coaching system, and
that the loss of life, in proportion to the number which travelled,
was incomparably less. When the yearly railway reports were published,
it was at once seen that a society like the above would have a fair
chance of success. Some of the railway companies have refused their
aid, thinking it would cause a decrease in railway travelling. Others,
again, have assisted, on the broader principle that such an institution
was sound. This company has been severely tried; but it has been
productive of an incalculable amount of good, and the character of the
directors gives a perfect solidity to the concern. In many cases it has
been very effective in mitigating the distress which sudden death so
often entails on survivors.