THE ASSURANCE OFFICE.

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abstinence from crime. We may be tolerablycertain that a person of any nous, who has insuredhis life at a life-insurance office, will take care notto be easily betrayed into the commission of bur-glary or murder; were it only that he would beashamed of showing himself so deficient in worldlyknowledge.—On the other hand, is that altogetherfair towards the insurance company? Ought ahumane and honourable man to check his evilpropensities, because their indulgence would bebeneficial to a certain portion of his fellow-crea-tures ? Is it honest on his part to do all he can byhis good conduct to disappoint calculations andexpectations founded on a just view of the depra-vity of human nature ? These are questions whichI strongly recommend for discussion at the West-minster debating-club.

After all, and notwithstanding my nice scruples,I believe it must be conceded that the institutionof these societies has been productive of greatgood. By a return which was laid on the table ofthe House of Commons during the last session ofParliament, it appears that the number of stamps