we enter upon this point, let us consider life insurance in the sense of its being a

DUTY AND PRIVILEGE.

At the present time, and w a the present advanced condition of Intelligence, it is perhaps superfluous to occupy much space in illustrating and proving what all now quite generally admit—the advantages and benefits of life insurance. That it is generally regarded in the light of a duty and privilege we are not so certain. Though we may not " boast of the morrow," we may and should provide for it, if there are those depending on our existence. " The good man leaveth an inheritance," it is written in Proverbs ; and elsewhere, that ." if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

Life insurance rests upon a solid foundation of truth and reason ; it results from the conviction, daily gaining ground, of the benefits of the system. No other plan has ever been devised by which duty and affection can so adequately and surely provide against the uncertainty and irreparable loss of a productive human life. If the full merits of this system were fully understood, every man would es-teem it a privilege to insure, and would gladly do it if within his reach. Duty and the obligations   resting   upon   him   seem to

dictate that every man, with whose life Providence has wrapped up the lives and well-being of others, should make the products of that life secure to those de-pendent upon it for support ; and if one fails to avail himself of the indemnity afforded by this generous and benevolent system, he is guilty of inexcusable negligence and criminal improvidence. Life insurance is a type and outgrowth of practical Christianity ; a sure indication of advanced social virtue and refinement. Indeed, as society is constituted in this country, it is a necessity. The fortunes and means of support of a great majority of the families of this land are in the productive brain and hand of the paternal head. Again, the widowed mother may have a son on whom she is dependent ; the orphaned sister a brother. Every such life has a value, not merely on the score of affection and family ties, but a value which may be estimated in dollars and cents, as a productive capital. It is to replace the loss of such a resource to the dependent members of the family group, that life insurance interposes its aid ; conferring not only a direct benefit upon those for whom it is procured, but upon society in pre-venting their dependence upon the charities of the public. The little investments made from year to year of the savings for this Purpose will return in the hour of need to the dependent ones, multiplied many fold, relieving suffering and want. Could we get the ear of every man in our land upon whom dear ones depend for support and consequent comfort, we would earnestly strive to induce them. to secure to such dependent ones the value of their lives after they are gone ; we would tell them it was a solemn duty devolving on them to insure their lives in some safe and responsible company ; they should look upon the amounts they lay by year by year for this purpose, as sacred deposits, and hence should seek the most trustworthy and safest company as the recipient of their life insurance funds. This leads us to speak of what is more especially our object in writing this article. It was our good fortune as well as privilege while in Hartford, Conn., a few days since, to visit the home office of what is, in many and the more vital essentials, the largest, best, and safest life insurance company in the United States, THE CONNECTICUT MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, of Hartford, of the history, condition, and responsibility of which we purpose to give our readers a somewhat detailed account.

EARLY ORGANIZATION.

In December, 1846, a number of gentlemen well-known for their probity and unblemished character, of honest and benevolent purpose, organized this Company for doing business solely and purely on the mutual principle ; which gives every member an equal interest in everything that belongs or pertains to the Company. It started with no capital—commencing its business without a dollar in its treasury. The evident integrity and pure philanthropy of the managers at once won the confidence of the public, and the first twelve months of its business showed six hundred and forty-jive policies issued--a number in excess of that issued by companies engaged in the business years before. .This flattering success and warm welcome from the public was, of course, very gratifying to the managers, and encouraged and prompted them to renewed and constant effort to make the Company worthy of the continued confidence and patronage of the people. Since its organization, its career has been one of prosperity and constant growth, and its progress has been rapid to a degree unparalleled in the annals of life insurance. Starting without a dollar of subscribed or invested capital, in less than twenty-one years it is able