There are hundreds of thousands who cannot afford to be run over;
to whom a lingering illness would be misery; and whose death would
scatter or starve their families. A serious or severe accident would
probably deprive a clerk of his situation, and a small tradesman of his
business, leaving them with no home but the hospital, and no hope but
the grave. The statistics of general accidents are difficult to arrive
at, but a small annual premium would be an ample safeguard against
such a casualty. There is one point in which both this and the Railway
Assurance Company are wanting, and yet it would be scarcely possible
to amend the error. There is in neither of them any inquiry as to the
health of the party assuring. Now it is obvious that the very life of
a confirmed invalid would be shaken out of him where a strong and hale
man would receive no injury.