The reader need hardly be told that the life of the elder Napoleon was trafficked with by underwriters during the whole of his wonderful career. The various combinations in the funds, dependent on his life, entered into by jobbers, made it very desirable to insure it; and this was legitimate enough, as the jobber had a tangible interest. In this way very large speculations were hedged; and as every campaign and every battle altered the aspect of affairs, the premiums varied. Sometimes private persons acted as insurers. Thus, in 1809, as Sir Mark Sykes entertained a dinner party, the conversation turned--as almost all thoughts then turned--to Buonaparte, and from him to the danger to which his life was daily exposed. The Baronet, excited partly by wine and partly by loyalty, offered, on the receipt of 100 guineas, to pay any one a guinea a day so long as the French Emperor should live. One of the guests, a clergyman, closed with the offer; but finding the company object, said that if Sir Mark would ask it as a favour, he would allow him to be off his bargain. To a high-spirited man this was by no means pleasant, and the Baronet refused. The clergyman sent the 100 guineas next day; and for three years Sir Mark Sykes paid 365 guineas; when thinking he had suffered sufficiently for an idle joke, he refused to pay any longer. The recipient, not disposed to lose his annuity, brought an action, which was eventually carried to the highest legal authorities, and there finally decided in favour of Sir Mark Sykes; the law lords not being disposed to give the plaintiff a life interest in Buonaparte to the extent of 365 guineas a year. * * * * * A history of life assurance in Ireland is to be found in its agencies; but there are many anecdotes extant, of which the following are a specimen. The statements from the sister country are always looked at with suspicion, for they are too often at variance with truth. Twenty years ago an insurance was effected on the life of a gentleman, and in two months he died, when a claim was made by a physician who had opened the policy. The circumstances were investigated, and it was ascertained that the party insured was at the time the insurance was effected, and for months previously, under the medical treatment of the physician for a very serious illness: on a _post-mortem_ examination it was found that both heart and lungs were diseased. The case was more disgraceful, because the physician who had claimed the money was medical adviser to the company with which the insurance had been effected, and had availed himself of his position to pass the invalid. * * * * *