The latest returns of Government Duty show the ROYAL, on the authority of Parliamentary Documents, to be at the head of all the Insurance Offices as regards increase of business.

The Receipt of Fire Premiums has progressed as follows:

1857 £175,049 1861 £292,402
1859 228,314 1863 341,668

While for 1865 they amounted to £414,733.

The ROYAL Insurance Company has invariably been distinguished for its promptitude and liberality in the settlement of Claims.

LIFE DEPARTMENT.

The rapid progress and the position of this Branch will be best shown by the
following Statement of the New Life Business effected for the years

Net sum assured onNew Policies
after deducting Guarantees.

1857

£329,380

1861

£521,101

1859

434,470

1863

752,546

While for 1865 the amount was £888,683.

The most important Element of the high prosperity of the Life Branch has been the exceedingly small amount of the General Expenditure charged against it, arising from the fact that the Fire Branch (while otherwise distinct) has, from its extraordinary magnitude, borne by far the largest proportion of the indispensable charges, such as those for Offices, Directors, Management, staff of Clerks, &c., leaving the Life Branch comparatively unweighted by expense.