The day on which the first life-assurance office was established is worthy of remembrance by the great mass of the middle class. Faulty in construction, and erroneous in detail, it was the enunciation of a great principle, the birth of a great blessing. Innovations were not made in the eighteenth, any more than in the nineteenth century, however, without opposition; and when, in 1706, the Amicable commenced business, prophets were plentiful in declaring it must fail, while others announced that it would open the door to gambling, and was flying in the face of Providence. But the excellence of the principle triumphed; and, although one uniform rate prevailed for the sick and for the sound, for the old and for the young, the Amicable succeeded. The pale face of the invalid was no objection; the purple hue of him who fared sumptuously was no preventive. The man on the brink of the grave, and the youth on the verge of manhood, paid the same premium; and for £5 per cent. per annum, and £7 10_s._ per cent. entrance-money, every one was enabled to insure his life. Such was the primitive plan of the first life association. The London Assurance and Royal Exchange corporations followed, in 1720. In 1762, the Equitable was established; and, although a trifling progress was made, the clumsy plan of equal payments, without reference to years, was perpetuated, and five per cent. paid by all. When, however, the rates were varied in proportion to age, when sick men were rejected, and only the healthy taken, a step was made in the right direction; and life assurance began to flourish with a vigor which astonished even its promoters.