The earliest endeavour to encourage a spirit of saving among the poor was made in 1773, a bill being introduced into the House of Commons, the leading provision of which was that every parish where there were four or more officers might grant life annuities, payable quarterly, to those who were willing to purchase them, according to a table annexed. The bill was supported both by the social and political economists of the House, who had met at Sir George Savile’s, in Leicester Square, for this purpose. It had been contrived with much kindness, and framed with considerable ingenuity. It passed the Lower House by a majority of two to one; but in the Upper House was lost. The importance of measures of this character cannot now be doubted. All that tends to produce habits of thrift among our poor is exceedingly desirable. It is from them we must always hope for a large portion of our taxes, and to give them an interest in order, to place them in a fair social position, to engender habits of self-respect and independence, are considerations of vital importance; and it is, therefore, to be regretted that, at this early period of our manufacturing career, some such impulse was not given to the industrious working-man. In 1777, several of the brokers and underwriters of the City were mulcted of their iniquitous profits. During the minority of Sir John St. Aubyn, and at the early age of seventeen, this gentleman found himself, like many more, in want of money. The scriveners of the City were ready, the extravagances of the youth supplied, an unlimited amount of cash was placed in his possession, and in return he granted to the underwriters annuities guaranteed on the estates to which he would succeed at twenty-one, assuring his life with them in the mean time to guard against contingencies. Not content with this, the underwriters made him procure the additional guarantee of a schoolfellow, for which the young scapegrace pledged his honour to his friend. When he came of age, he fortunately arrived also at years of discretion, and instituted a suit in Chancery for the destruction of the bonds which he had granted. Great was the wrath of the money-changers; but their anger was vain, and they were obliged to content themselves with the righteous decision, that on repayment of the principal, with 4 per cent. interest, the annuity bonds should be given up. Nor was this a solitary instance in which the assurance- and annuity-mongers were overreached. The following will be found both painful and impressive as a warning.--