The reader need hardly be told that the life of the elder Napoleon was trafficked with by underwriters during the whole of his wonderful career. The various combinations in the funds, dependent on his life, entered into by jobbers, made it very desirable to insure it; and this was legitimate enough, as the jobber had a tangible interest. In this way very large speculations were hedged; and as every campaign and every battle altered the aspect of affairs, the premiums varied. Sometimes private persons acted as insurers. Thus, in 1809, as Sir Mark Sykes entertained a dinner party, the conversation turned—as almost all thoughts then turned—to Buonaparte, and from him to the danger to which his life was daily exposed. The Baronet, excited partly by wine and partly by loyalty, offered, on the receipt of 100 guineas, to pay any one a guinea a day so long as the French Emperor should live. One of the guests, a clergyman, closed with the offer; but finding the company object, said that if Sir Mark would ask it as a favour, he would allow him to be off his bargain. To a high-spirited man this was by no means pleasant, and the Baronet refused. The clergyman sent the 100 guineas next day; and for three years Sir Mark Sykes paid 365 guineas; when thinking he had suffered sufficiently for an idle joke, he refused to pay any longer. The recipient, not disposed to lose his annuity, brought an action, which was eventually carried to the highest legal authorities, and there finally decided in favour of Sir Mark Sykes; the law lords not being disposed to give the plaintiff a life interest in Buonaparte to the extent of 365 guineas a year.
A history of life assurance in Ireland is to be found in its agencies; but there are many anecdotes extant, of which the following are a specimen. The statements from the sister country are always looked at with suspicion, for they are too often at variance with truth.
Twenty years ago an insurance was effected on the life of a gentleman, and in two months he died, when a claim was made by a physician who had opened the policy. The circumstances were investigated, and it was ascertained that the party insured was at the time the insurance was effected, and for months previously, under the medical treatment of the physician for a very serious illness: on a post-mortem examination it was found that both heart and lungs were diseased. The case was more disgraceful, because the physician who had claimed the money was medical adviser to the company with which the insurance had been effected, and had availed himself of his position to pass the invalid.
The managing director of one of our best offices was offered, while travelling in Ireland, an insurance of 2000l. on the life of a gentleman; and an appointment was made to meet next morning at breakfast. The applicant looked strong, and seemed healthy; he was gay, lively, and ready-witted; nothing appeared amiss with him then; and when the necessary certificates of health and sobriety were given, his life was willingly accepted. In a year or two he died. In the meantime information was received that his habits were intemperate, that he was rarely sober, and therefore that a deception had been passed on the company. It was discovered that he had been made up for the occasion, that he had dressed himself smartly, assuming a lively air and aspect, and that he had thus misled the gentleman by whom he had been somewhat incautiously accepted. Such a case it was determined to resist on every ground of public propriety and private right. All necessary legal steps were taken; “the lawyers prepared—a terrible show;” and as it was of somewhat doubtful issue, it was deemed wise to take the most eminent advice which could be procured. That advice changed the determination of the company; for it was said, that though in England the deceased would have been pronounced a most intolerable drunkard, yet no jury in all Ireland would be found to pronounce a man intemperate who only took a dozen glasses of whisky toddy nightly; that intemperance in England was temperance in Ireland; and that they had better pay their money than risk a verdict. This they did; and doubtless were very cautious in all Irish cases for the future.
Great power must always lie with friends in recommending assurance to those whose circumstances demand it. An instance of this may be found in the case of a well-known City merchant. The estate of this gentleman was entailed on the male line; but notwithstanding this, it was his chief fancy to improve the property, to the detriment of the female branches, the only mode of obviating this being to insure his life to the extent of the sum spent in improvements. Those to whom he was near and dear felt the delicacy of the case, and hesitated to broach the subject. His land agent was appealed to, a shrewd and sensible Scotchman, and he took the first opportunity of talking to Mr. —— on the subject, who immediately acknowledged its importance, promising to take the necessary steps on his first visit to town. This he did; proposals were made to the extent of 15,000l.; but some technicalities interfering which prevented so large an amount being effected in one day, only 10,000l. was insured; and the remainder postponed “until a more convenient season.” That season never arrived. In less than nine months the beautiful village where he resided, rung with the news that he and his wife were murdered; and though money could not soften or subdue the grief of such a tragedy, it tended at least to alleviate it.