ACCORDING TO THE STATUTE, 10 GEO. IV. c. 56.

EXAMINED, AUTHENTICATED, AND RECOMMENDED

BY JOHN TIDD PRATT, Esq.

THE BARRISTER AT LAW APPOINTED TO THE RULES OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES;

AS WELL AS

BY WILLIAM MORGAN, Esq. F.R.S. AND ARTHUR MORGAN, Esq.

JOINT ACTUARIES OF THE EQUITABLE ASSURANCE SOCIETY ;

TOGETHER WITH

COMPLETE TABLES

FOR CALCULATING, AT EVERY PERIOD OF LIFE,

THE VALUE OF THE ASSURANCES FOR SICKNESS, ANNUITIES, REVERSIONS, AND
ENDOWMENTS, EFFECTED BY MEMBERS OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES,
ACCOMPANIED WITH PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATIONS:

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

A SYSTEM OF BOOK-KEEPING, NOW IN GENERAL USE AMONG
SUCH INSTITUTIONS.

BY THE REV. JOHN THOMAS BECHER, M.A.

PREBENDARY OF THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF SOUTHWELL;

CHAIRMAN OF THE QUARTER SESSIONS FOR THE NEWARK DIVISION OF THE COUNTY OF
NOTTINGHAM, AND FOR THE LIBERTY OF SOUTHWELL AND SCROOBY.

FIFTH EDITION,

WITH AN ANNUAL GRADUATION OF THE TABLES,

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR W. SIMPKIN AND R. MARSHALL,
STATIONERS'-HALL COURT.

MDCCCXXIX.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE successful rise and progress of the Friendly Institution at Southwell, have induced me to publish the following Tracts, which were originally intended for the sole use of the Members.

The Rules and Regulations, the Arrangement of the Tables, the Combination of the Assurances, the privilege of Redeeming the Monthly Contributions, either by a Single Payment, or by Periodical Instalments, together with many other provisions equally novel and important, are strongly recommended for promoting the welfare of the Industrious Classes, by preventing the intemperance, fraud, and miscalculation, which have so generally prevailed in Friendly Societies. To these considerations many will feel awakened by the impulse of active benevolence: but the subject claims the attention of Magistrates, as an imperative duty; since they are appointed by Parliament to superintend and regulate the Formation and Government of such Institutions.

It must be recollected, that the Poor Laws are now administered with a circumspection, frugality, and firmness, which have too long been neglected. While, therefore, we endeavour to revive those virtuous feelings and provident habits, which constitute the natural basis of independence and happiness among the Laborious Members of the community, surely we are bound by legal and moral obligations to facilitate the practice of our precepts, so as to provide them with the means of assuring in the days of health, strength, and youth, a comfortable refuge against the seasons of Sickness, Infirmity, and Old Age.

The substance of these Tracts might have been easily conveyed in a general form, without reference to any particular establishment;

but it has been deemed preferable to elucidate the benefits resulting from well organized Friendly Societies, by a practical Exemplification of the singular advantages absolutely realized under the system founded at Southwell, which, by the alteration of a few words, may be rendered universally applicable.

The highest merit claimed is a strict conformity to the enactments of the legislature, and a practical application of the scientific principles defined by Dr. Price; and still more elaborately demonstrated by William Morgan, Esq. F.R.S. To those who have either studied the work of Mr. Morgan, "on the Principles and Doctrine of Assurances," or contemplated his unrivalled celebrity as the Actuary of the Society for Equitable Assurances, it will prove a sufficient security and commendation to state, that the Rules and the Tables of Calculation now submitted, have been sanctioned by his approbation. Indeed, with a liberality seldom experienced, he has declined accepting the customary emoluments of his profession, while he has gratuitously guided this institution by his experienced counsel, and guarded it by his profound mathematical knowledge. If additional authority be demanded, the concurrent testimony of William Frend, Esq. the late Actuary of the Life Assurance Company, as well as the opinion of other eminent professional Calculators, may be adduced.

The statute 10 Geo. 4. c. 56. entitled "An Act to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Friendly Societies," confers many important privileges for the protection and encouragement of such Institutions. Among these Benefits, the Appointment of a Barrister at Law, to examine and certify the Rules of Friendly Societies, is a new and salutary provision.

JOHN TIDD PRATT, Esq. has very judiciously been selected to execute the duties of this office; in whom we possess a Counsellor not more distinguished by his legal knowledge, than by his conciliating deportment and professional liberality. His edition of the Act 10 Geo. 4. c. 56. with Explanatory Notes, and with Observations for the framing of Rules, supplies a valuable and authentic Publica

tion, which it is incumbent for me to recommend as an indispensable and unerring guide for those who may be concerned in the formation or the management of such Establishments.

To Messrs. SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL a public acknowledgment is due, for the zeal and liberality which they have uniformly testified in promoting the reformation and advancement of Friendly Societies. They propose to stereotype the Tables, if circumstances should render it advisable. Meanwhile, at my request, they have undertaken to retain them in Types, for the accommodation of such Institutions as may adopt this System, which arrangement will prevent the inelegance and inaccuracy pervading several of the Tables, that have been printed, and will very considerably reduce the cost of them.

Southwell, 22d August, 1829.