“In consideration of thirty-five guineas for one-hundred received of Roebuck and Vaughan, we whose names are hereunto subscribed, do severally promise to pay the sums of money which we have hereunto subscribed, on the following condition; viz., in case the Chevalier d’Eon should hereafter prove to be a female.” From this day the star of the chevalier waned in England. He turned fencing-master, but with difficulty obtained a living. He assumed female attire, but his hour was over. He had ceased to be a curiosity to the many; the “death brokers,” as Horace Walpole calls them, could make no more by him; and with the assurance on his sex ceases the interest of Chevalier d’Eon, in the context of this volume. His name is only interesting to the reader from the fact that Chief Justice Mansfield adjudicated on his case, and that an important decision was arrived at in the legal history of this science, when his Lordship declared that a policy of assurance, although not even on life, when entered into without an insurable interest, was against the purport of the act recently passed, and contrary to English notions of morality. FOOTNOTE: [14] 14 Geo. 3. c. 48. CHAP. X. FRAUDULENT ANNUITIES--ACT TO PREVENT THEM.--SALVADOR THE JEW.--DAVID CUNNINGHAM THE SCOTCHMAN--HIS CAREER--HIS ANNUITY COMPANY--ITS SUCCESS--HIS DOUBLE CHARACTER--HIS FATE.--MORTUARY REGISTRATION.--JOHN PERROTT--HIS PASSION FOR CHINA--TRICK PLAYED HIM.--CURIOUS FRAUD.--WESTMINSTER SOCIETY.--PELICAN. When it was found that a fraudulent system of assurance would no longer be permitted, a fraudulent system of annuities usurped its place, and parliament was once more compelled to legislate. By an act passed in 1777, it was determined that, “owing to the pernicious practice of raising money by the sale of life annuities having greatly increased, and being much promoted by its secrecy, the particulars of all deeds, bonds, &c., for granting these annuities shall, within twenty days of the execution thereof, be enrolled in the Court of Chancery, otherwise such bond shall be void. All future deeds also for granting annuities, to contain the consideration and the names of the parties; and that if any part of the consideration be returned, or is paid in bills not honoured, or is paid in goods, or any part retained under pretence of securing the future payments of the annuity, or under any other pretence, the Court may order the deed to be cancelled. All contracts with persons under twenty-one to be void; and no solicitor, scrivener, or broker, to take more than 10_s._ per cent., under penalty of fine and imprisonment.”