The rules of the Stock Exchange amount in number to 159, and are calculated to meet every difficulty. The charge to the public for buying and selling English stock is 2_s._ 6_d._ per cent.; and the following, taken from the third edition of Mr. Robinson’s valuable “Share Tables,” is the commission on shares:— _s._ _d._ Under the value of £5 1 3 per cent. Amounting in value to £5, and under £20 2 6 ” ” ” £20, ” £50 5 0 ” ” ” £50 and above 10 0 ” The terms used on the Stock Exchange have been in vogue for more than a century; and the origin of many may be traced to the early transactions in the stock of the East India Company. Buying for the account has been described; but “bull” and “bear,” “backardation” and “continuation,” are understood only by the initiated. “Bull” is a term applied to those who contract to buy any quantity of government securities, without the intention or ability to pay for it; and who are obliged, therefore, to sell it again, either at a profit or loss, before the time at which they have contracted to take it. “Bear” is a term applied to a person who has agreed to sell any quantity of the public funds, of which he is not possessed, being, however, obliged to deliver it against a certain time. “Lame Duck” is applied to those who refuse or are unable to fulfil the contracts into which they have entered. “Backardation” is a consideration given to keep back the delivery of stock, when the price is lower for time than for money. “Continuation” is a premium given when the price of funds in which a person has a jobbing account open is higher for time than for money, and the settling day is arrived, so that the stock must be taken at a disadvantage. In this case a percentage is paid to put off the settlement, and continue the account open. “Jobber” is applied to those who accommodate buyers and sellers of stock with any quantity they require. The dealer or jobber’s profit is generally one eighth per cent. The “Broker” is the person employed by the public to sell or purchase stock at a certain percentage. “Omnium” is a term used to express the aggregate value of the different stocks in which a loan is usually funded. “Scrip” is embryo stock, before the whole of the instalments are paid. CHAPTER XVIII. _Life Assurance.—Its Benefits.—Its Commencement.—Suicide of an Insurer.—Insurance of Invalid Lives.—The Gresham.—Sketch of the West Middlesex Delusion._