tented its protecting arms and helping hand to the young and vigorous West; and aided in developing its material resources, as well as conferred its valuable offices in alleviating the devastations of death ; bringing joy and comfort to hundreds of bereaved homes in these newly settled States and far off Territories. But what has it done to develop the West by way of furnishing material aid ? Why, dear reader, this Company has now loaned on the substantial property of Chicago alone, $2,234,229

and a large part of it furnished to aid in the erection of the magnificent structures that greet the eye in almost all directions in the " Queen City." In St. Louis it has $1,690.90b loaned on the solid property of that city—furnishing her citizens the means of increasing her wealth and influence. Large amounts also loaned in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Tole, Milwaukee, and other cities of the West. Should not our people, under such circumstances, bid it welcome and extend to it their patronage ? The benefits conferred would seem to call for this return as a matter of justice ; but the stronger reason lies in the fact that by becoming members of the Company you are directly benefited.

Again, we noticed that a very Iarge number of policies have been issued by the Company upon the lives of the citizens of Kentucky, and other Southern States. We examined the list of Kentucky in particular, and found that very many of the leading men of that State—professional and business men, and prominent politicians—are policy-holders and members of the Company ; especially attracting our attention from the probable fact that these policies were taken in this Company not on account of any sectional prejudice in favor of Hartford as a location, but, laying aside all political, sectional, or other prejudices, they chose this Company because the safest and most responsible, and offering greater inducements. In , this respect they evinced a Yankee shrewdness, and have, in so important a matter, looked out for " number one."

We found among the policy-holders, in all parts of the country, the names of many

EMINENT MEN.

Perhaps there is no reason why eminent and prominent men should not insure their lives against the hazards of untimely death as well as others ; but we refer to the fact as indicating the estimate in which the Connecticut Mutual is holden among a class of men capable of judging for themselves of the merits of a company, and of selecting the best and most trustworthy. Among these names—those living and deceased (in case of the latter the families have already received the benefits of their forethought and prudence)—we find those of ex-President Fillmore, Hon. Rufus Choate, Rev. Thomas Starr King, Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, John B. Gough, Rt. Rev. John Williams, Bishop of Connecticut, and others equally noted.

In the list of deceased members, scores of names were pointed out to us of those who, had it not been for the provision made by an insurance on their lives in the Connecticut Mutual, would have left their families utterly destitute, with no reliance for support except upon the cold charities of the world.

We pass to notice now some of the more general features of this Company ; and first,

THE MUTUAL PLAN.

This is a purely mutual company—its members are joint owners of all its property ; every dollar of its enormous assests belongs to them; they are partners together, carrying on the business for their mutual benefit and profit ; there are no preferred stockholders—the entire profits and advantages resulting from the business inure directly to the members, and is regularly disbursed to them in annual dividends. Every member has a direct interest in the success of this, his own institution ; and in its advancing prosperity he reaps increasing benefits. Hence the reason why the policy-holders of this Company, wherever found, are earnest advocates of its plan of doing, business, and never fail to speak a good word for it on all fitting occasions.

.POLICIES.

Every kind of policy known among life insurance underwriters are issued by this Company—all the new and improved plans having been adopted ; and insurance can be effected in any form desired, and to meet all the contingencies to which life insurance is applicable. All their policies are either non-forfeitable by their terms, or may be converted into non-forfeitable policies at the option of the insured ; and upon all, except short-term policies, dividends are paid.

NOTE SYSTEM VERSUS CASH SYSTEM.

The system adopted by this Company for the payment of premiums is that known as the " half cash and half note plan :" under the other plan all the premium is paid in cash where the insurance is effected. There has been a great deal of discussion as to the comparative merits of the two systems, and the subject claims our attention in this connection. Divesting this subject of all