of this, all the necessary documents were lodged in due time. As the death and identity of the traveller seemed clearly established, the office intimated its readiness to pay the policy at the end of the accustomed three months. But three months seemed a very long period to those who felt the uncertain tenure by which their claim was held, so, to induce the office to pay ready money, they offered a large and unbusinesslike discount. This, together, perhaps, with some suspicions created by the manner of the applicant, placed the office on its guard. Inquiries were soon instituted, and discoveries made which induced them to proceed still farther; but no sooner was it found that a close inquisition was being entered on, than the claim was abandoned, and the claimant seen no more at the office. FOOTNOTE: [32] “I tell the tale as ’twas told to me.” It has, however, been suggested that he failed to take the dose in his extreme agitation. CHAP. XVII. SCOTCH LIFE ASSURANCE.--SCOTTISH WIDOWS’ FUND--ITS DIRECTORS.--NORTH BRITISH.--THE FARMER’S FATE.--EDINBURGH LIFE.--LIST OF SCOTTISH COMPANIES. For more than one century the life assurance companies of England were sufficient for the requirements of Scotland; and, whatever opinion may now be formed of institutions founded on the proprietary principle, yet life assurance would have been still in its infancy without it. And the reason is obvious. It was the great object of these societies to pay the best dividend they could. To do this it was necessary to spread their advantages far and wide, to appoint agents in the remotest parts of the country, to familiarise the public mind with its principles, and to advertise its benefits wherever a village or district was ignorant of them. By 1812, however, a proposal was printed “for establishing in Scotland a general fund for securing provision to widows, sisters, &c., and for insuring capital sums on lives, to be called the ‘Scottish Widows’ Fund and Equitable Assurance Company.’” The northern reader may not be averse to review the early career of his favourite institution.