The National quarterly review, ed. by E.I. Sears

seem uncharitable, but it is one which it is hard to resist when we remark the high proportion items of this nature bear in many returns to the amount of the surplus. The Commercial Fire has $21,000 cash in bank," $16,860 in "loan on stock collaterals," mostly insurance, and $39,993.99 in premiums in course of collection."

The fact to which we wish to call the attention of our readers is that all these items-these loans on stock collaterals of whose value we know nothing beyond the estimation set upon them by the company; the interest and these premiums, which it is not pretended have been collected, and, for aught we know, never will be collected, those large sums alleged to be in the company's office and the company's banks, and which may be withdrawn and distributed the moment the report has been verified and filed-are all included in the estimate of assets, and go to make up the gross amount from which the liabilities are to be deducted to obtain the surplus. Is it not plain in too many cases, that but for the insertion of these items the surplus would be materially reduced or even converted into a deficiency? And for what purpose is there always so much " cash in bank" or "cash in principal office" at the time of making up the annual reports? It is not pretended that the business of the companies requires them to have such large amounts continually on hand. It would be a most remarkable co-incidence if every company invariably had investments realizing about that time so as to fill their banks with unemployed cash. If the companies will furnish us their explanation of these curious returns, we shall be happy to receive it. Perhaps, however, they will prefer to answer in the words of the distinguished witness in the case of the American National Life and Trust Company above cited: "By G-! if it isn't true, it is the way life (and fire?) insurance assets and liabilities are calculated, anyhow."

Much remains to be said on the present condition of fire and marine companies. There is a deplorable amount of rottenness; but we shrink from the unpleasantness of extending our illustrations at this time. We prefer hoping that there will be an improvement as business revives. There are several companies that used to be honest, straightforward, and solid in the past. We trust they are so still, but lately we have made no researches in their cases. Thus, for example, when we last devoted attention to the Hanover Fire, it was prosperous and welldoing; nor do we know any one whom it has wronged. Similar remarks apply with equal force to the Citizens, the Farragut, the Commercial, the Continental, the Germania, etc. How these stand now we will not undertake to say, further than to remark that from our present data we have no reason to question the solvency or integrity of any of them.

Our readers know that, whatever our faults may be, national prejudice is not one of them. At no time have we been affected, in Europe or America, with what is vulgarly called "Anglophobia." Whatever opinions we may have had at different times, of the policy of the British Government, in its treatment of India, Ireland, etc., we have ever been in the habit of regarding English institutions as, in general, stable, solid, and reliable. We are well aware that several English insurance companies, fire and marine, as well as life, have proved as much “a delusion, a mockery, and a snare," as the similar corporations of any other country. But it would be absurd, as well as unfair, to judge all English companies by these. Everybody who has devoted any attention to the subject, is aware, that there are English companies in which the

French, the German, and the Italians have more faith, than they have in those of their own countries, respectively. It is well known, moreover, that, in general, they have good reason for their faith.

Foremost among the English companies, which are thus popular on the Continent, as well as in their island home, are the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Co. (Fire and Life), and the Queen Fire Insurance Co. of Liverpool and London; and may we not add that the same companies are popular in this country among the class who are capable of appreciating the tree, not from the soil in which it grows, but from the perennial fruit which it brings forth. The intelligent portion of our people do not allow their patriotism to prevent them from purchasing English carpets, English silks, or English broadcloths, English cutlery, etc., in preference to the similar American commodities, when they think the foreign articles will wear better, and are consequently cheaper in the end, than the home made. On precisely the same principle they purchase their policies of insurance, especially their fire policies; and who will say that they are wrong?

We have the best assurances, that neither of the two English companies mentioned was ever in a more prosperous or solid condition than it is now. Speaking of one, a London paper now before us says: "The statements of the Liverpool and London and Globe Company, for 1874, are calculated to give satisfaction to the most carping critic. The assets of the company at the first of the present month (March) were over twenty-six and a half millions of our money ($26,740, 105.76,) -the assets of the New York branch alone amounting to nearly four millions ($3,771,532.84). How substantial the latter are may be seen from two or three of these items:

These tell their own story -a story which needs no verification from England, or any place more distant than this city.

Its

We have not the full statement of the Queen Fire before us, but we have its essence. The rest is vouched for by some of our leading merchants. The company has a capital of two millions sterling. American assets exceed a million ($1,145,729). Of this amount, $1,032,775 is deposited with the insurance department, and in the hands of trustees, each of the latter being the president of a prominent New York bank.

We wish we could say as much of certain New York, Hartford, and Philadelphia Fire companies, each of which proclaims far and wide its immense superiority to all rivals. But the Hon. Mr. Chapman, th present head of our Insurance Department, seems very tender, for some reason best known to himself, of those in the habit of making a loud noise about their "assets." This we intend to show in our next number. We cannot do so now, because it appears that one of the conditions of getting a copy of that functionary's Report in time, is to praise the "learned," ". 'impartial," and "disinterested" author thereof. We have not the stomach to do this, and must, therefore, borrow, or wait until his serene highness condescends to favor us with an exemplaire of his great annual performance.

INDEX

TO THE

THIRTIETH VOLUME

OF THE

NATIONAL QUARTERLY REVIEW.

Address before Association of School Com.
missioners and Superintendents at Syra-
cuse noticed, 399-400.

Esthetics of Home, article on, 155–167.
Appendix. Insurance, 196 et seq., 403 et seq.
Architecture of great cities, article on, 1-32
-its influences, 1-indicative of civiliza-
tion, 2-its origin and development, 3-
Mycena and Tiryns, 4-Egypt, 5-Central
America, 7-Saracenic, 9-Chinese, 12-
Grecian, 13-16-Etruscan, 16-18-Roman,
18-20-Basilica, 20-Byzantine, 21-Gothic,
22-Italian, 23-Florentine, 24-Venetian,
25-French, 26-28-Norman-English, 28-
English Gothic, 29-Elizabethan, ib.-Lon-
don before the great fire, 30-Modern Eng-
lish, 31-American, 32.

Architecture for general students reviewed,
393-395.

Assyrian discoveries reviewed, 383-385.
Bancroft, his History of the United States,
article on, 80-92-his discursiveness, 81-
toadyism, ib.-account of Germany, 82-
comparison with Sallust, 83-requisites of¦

-cancer,

306

ib. suppuration, ib.
cirrhosis, ib.-results of excessive ap-
propriation of pabulum, ib.-fatty de
generation, 307-contagia, ib.-hay-fever,
ib.-definition of a cell, 308-nuclei, 309—
system of reproduction, ib.-cell-wall, ib.
-fully developed cell, 310-Spencer's
definition of life, ib.-development of
many-celled organisms from unicellular
organism, ib.-formation of alimentary
canal, 311-nerve-cells, ib.-nervous sys-
tem, 312-special senses, ib.-Herbert
Spencer's definition of life, ib.-origin and
progress of cell theory, 312-327-Swam-
merdam, Malpighii, Hooke, and Haller,
313-Haller's fibre theory, ib.-C. F.
Wolf, 314-his views, ib.-globular theory of
Leenwenholk, ib.-adopted by physiolo-
gists,316-Bauer, Trevironi, Hensinger, and
Milne-Edwards, ib.-Brown, ib.-Raspail,
ib.- discoveries in nucleation, ib.-Valen-
tine, 318-Schultz, Wagner, and Henle, ib.
-de Quatrefages and Dumortier, ib.-
Schwarm, ib.-Schlieden, ib.-Schwarm's
theory, 320-Henle, 321-Barry, 322-
Huxley, 323-Surcode, 324-discoveries of
Siebold and others, ib.-investigations by
Unger and others, 325-Beale, 325-327-
protoplasm, 327-phenomena of neurility,
328-mind and matter, ib.-definitions of
life, 329-modern histology, 330-life a
form of force, 331-the best definition of
life, 332.

Confucius and his influence, article on, 333-
351-the Chinese, 333-ancestry of Confu-
cius, 334-the chief of Wei, ib.-dukedom
of Sung, ib.-origin of the family name of
K'ung, 335-birth of Confucius, ib.-his
early life, ib.-marriage and offspring, ib.
-political condition of China in his time,
336-his first occupations, ib.- commences
his instructions, 337-classes of his disci-
ples, ib., note-Analects, 338--tumulus over
his mother's grave, ib.-new disciples, 339
-visit to Court, ib.-Laou-tsze, ib.-the
Ta'ou religion, 340-the three families, ib.
-expulsion of the Duke Chá'ou from Loo,
348-removal of Confucius to T'se, ib.-
Confucius and Duke King, ib.-returns to
Loo, ib.-disorders in the three families
342-Confucius' writings, ib.-the U-king,
or Five Canons, ib.-the Yih-king, or Can-
on of Changes, ib.-yin and yang, 343-
Feng-Shui, ib.-diagrams in the Yih-king,
344-evil effects of Feng-Shui, 345-Con-
fucius partly responsible for them, ib.-—
the Shoo-king, or Canon of History, 346-
the She-king, or Canon of Poetry, ib.-the
Le-ke, or Record of Rites, 347-the Chiun-
T'sieu, or Spring and Autumn,
Heaou-king, or Filial Piety, 348-Syan-
hyo, or Science for Children, ib.-some-
times called the Sixth Canon, ib.--signifi-
cation of the term King, ib.-the Sse-Shoo,
or Four Books, ib.-the Lung-ya, or Ana-
lects, ib.-the Golden Rule, ib.-Confu-
cius on Righteousness, 349-the Ta-hio,
or Great Learning, ib.-extract from it,
ib.-the Ching-Yung, or Immutable Medi-
um, 350-compiler's opinion of it, ib.-its
character, ib.--extravagant eulogy of Con-
fucius, ib.-humility of Confucius, 351-
Mencius, ib.-Chinese opinion of Confu-
cius, ib., note.

ib.-

Cossacks, (the), article on, 233-259-conjec-
tures as to their origin, 234-sometimes
supposed to be Circassians, ib.-the Ko-
zares, 235-the Sclavonians, 236-their early
settlement of Russia, ib.-their conquest
by the Scandinavians, 237-disorders in
Southern Russia, 238-invasion of the Ta:-
tars, 239-first mention of the Cossacks in
history, ib.-driven from the Dnieper, 240
-the Zaporogues, 241-the Cossacks of
Ukraine, ib.-Cossacks of the Don, 242-
Tscherkask, ib.-league of the Ukrainean
Cossacks with Poland, 243-transfer of
their allegiance to Russia, ib.-The Don
Cossacks subjects of Russia, ib.-Yermak
conquers Siberia, ib.-revolt of the Don
Cossacks under Radzkin, 244-insurrection

of the Ukrainean Cossacks under Mazep-
pa, ib.-reduction of the Don Cossacks un-
der Catherine II., 245-Platoff, 246-ser-
vices of the Don Cossacks against Napoleon,
ib.-their manners and customs, ib.-relig-
ious observances, 247-their country, ib.-
tumuli, 248-mentioned by W. de Rubru-
quis, ib.-columns of Alexander the Great,
ib.-annual overflow of the Don at Tscher-
kask, 250-characteristics of the Ukrainean
Cossacks, ib-their poetry, 251-257-its
sadness, 251-the Duma, 252-specimens
of, 253-255-ballads, 256-samples of, 256-
257-contrast between Zaporogues and Don
Cossacks, 257-branches of the Cossack
race, 258.

Curtius' History of Greece reviewed, 171-173.
Drift of Medical Philosophy noticed, 180-181.
Education, notes critical and geographical on
351-377-criticism and puffery, 352-rea-
sons for criticising, 354-educational re-
formers in old times, ib.-Gregory of Tours,
355-Abbé de la Salle, ib.-educational in-
stitutions in France, ib.-destroyed in revo-
lution, 355-Martyrs to learning, ib.-La-
voisier, 356-German Universities, ib.-
Cousin's Rapport, ib -Arnold's Higher
Schools of Germany, ib.-inferiority of
English system, 357-and of American, ib.
-foundation of Prussian system, 358-
Thomasius, ib.-Prussian law as to teach-
ers, ib.-criticism encouraged, 360-
American educators, ib.-Syracuse Univer-
sity, 361- Dr. Haven, 362-his Rhetoric,
ib.-other professors, ib.-Rochester Uni-
versity, ib.-lectures at Rochester and at
Syracuse, 363-Colleges in Syracuse Uni-
versity, 365-Boston University and its
College of Music, 366-Princeton and La-
fayette Colleges compared, ib., note-Edu-
cational institutions on the Hudson, ib.-
St. Agnes school, at Albany, 367-Albany
Female Academy, 368-Hellmuth Colleges
370, note-Poughkeepsie, Institutions, 371
-Cottage Hill Female Seminary, 372-
Hudson Young Ladies' Seminary, 373,
note-Poughkeepsie Military Institute, 376
-Alexander Institute, 376-Institutions not
yet mentioned, 377.

Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius reviewed,
185-187.

and sunshine, 58--man the principal
source of atmospheric impurity, ib.-com-
bustion and decomposition, 59-other ele-
ments of impurity, ib.-oxidation, 60-dis-
solution of the animal kingdom, ib.-
watery vapor, 61-exhalations of the sick,
62-Germ and Graft Theories, ib.-analysis
of hospital wards, 63-organic debris, 64-
animal sporules, ib.-insects in the air, 65
-air in different localities, 66-Sigerson's
experiments, ib.-experiments of Pasteur
and others, 67-foreign elements in all air,
68-mortality greatest in crowded quar-
ters, 69-pestilence likewise, ib.-infec-
tious and contagious diseases the products
of foul air, 70-lungs affected by poisons in
the air, 71-scorbutic affections, 72-mor-
bific effects of fcul air on the mind, 73-
carbonic acid gas, ib.-requisites of venti-
lation, 74-cleanliness, 75-supply of fresh
air, 77-ventilation a modern idea, 79.
Fantaisie une, du Docteur Ox reviewed, 192-195.
Franklin, Benjamin, life of, reviewed, 379-
382.

Franklin Globe Manual noticed, 395-397.
French Revolution, the, and First Empire re-
viewed, 175-178.

German Universities reviewed and criticised,
190-192.

Grammar of the Hebrew Language reviewed,
183-185.

Hamilton, Sir William, article on, 33-55-
Veitch, memoir by, 33-his example, ib.—
modern tendencies, 34-his family, 35-
his researches in phrenology, 36-defects
in his system, 37-bis association with
Reid, 39-preface to Reid's works, 41-an-
ecdotes of his youth, 42-his affections. 43-
44-De Quincey's account of him, 46-de-
feated by Wi'son, 47-appointment to pro-
fessorship, ib.-article "On the Philosophy
of the Unconditioned," 48-other articles,
ib.-elected professor of Logic and Meta-
physics, 50-his lectures, ib.-special course
discontinued, 52-end of his career, 53.
Hazel Blossoms reviewed, 391–393.
Hints and Outlines for Parents and Guardians,
134-155-Dr. Holbrook's Military Academy,
Sing Sing, 136-Charlier Institute, 137-142
-its catalogues, 140--Maplewood Institute,
142-St. Mary's Hall, 143-New Jersey
Institutions, 145-Pennington Institute,
ib.-Nazareth Hall, 146-Moravian Semi-
nary, 148- its catalogue, 150-Chegaray
Institute, 151-Miss Haines' School, 152,
note-D'Aert's Institute, ib.-Locust Hill
Seminary, Yonkers, 153.
Ismailia reviewed, 386-387.

Jefferson, Thomas, article on, 278-303-one
of the founders of the Republic, 278-au-
thor of Declaration of Independence, ib.—
leader of Republican party, ib.-bis po-
sition among American Statesmen, 279--
character, 280-public life, 281-his early
life, ib.--elected to the Continental Con-
gress, 282-drafts petition to the King,
ib.-prepares report on Lord North's
resolution, 283-del ate on resolution of
Independence, 283-Jefferson drafts the
Declaration of Independence, 284-Dec-
laration carried July 4, 1776, 285-Jef-
ferson's claims to the authorship of the
Declaration of Independence, 286-the
Declaration of Independence, 287-289-
portions eliminated by Congress, 288-
power of the King and Parliament, 288-291
-Jefferson sent abroad to negotiate the
treaty of peace, 291-appointed Minister
to France, ib.-tribute to Franklin, ib.-a
favorite in France, ib-his notes on Vir-
ginia, ib.-French Declaration of Rights,
ib.-Conference of French patriots at Jef-
ferson's table, 292-Marie Antoinette, 293
-Jefferson's return to America, ib.-his
interest in the French Revolution, ib.-his
improper conduct toward his political ad-
versaries, 294-toward Washington, ib.---
Burr, ib.-trial of, 295-Jefferson's re-
forms in Virginia, ib-his efforts against
slavery, 296-opposed to Missouri compro-
mise, ib.-views on slavery, ib.-religious
views, 297-qualities of his administration,
ib.-change of views on the tariff, 298-his
embargo, 299-acquisition of Louisiana,
ib.-Jefferson opposed to internal im-
provements, 300-sustained by Madison,
ib.-draws the Virginia Resolutions of
1793, ib.-the Kentucky Resolutions, ib.-
his views as to Centralization, 301-heret-
ical political opinions, 302-his character
as a reformer, 302.

Latin Hymns with English notes reviewed,
185-187.

Müller's History of Germany reviewed,
173-175.

New Wall Map of Connecticut, noticed, 195-
196.

Outlines of Cosmic Philosophy reviewed,

181-183.

Outlines of the World's History criticised,
187-189.

Pencil Sketches of some Colleges and Univer.
sities, 92-115-Pennsylvania Colleges, 94-
education essential to a nation's greatness,
97-France and Germany, ib.-Spain, ib.-
De Tocqueville, ib.-Lafayette College,

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