he entrance of chance of death was the entrance of the very
principle of the benefit society described in the Acts of the Apostles. The
family of the one who died young received more in proportion to _premiums_
paid than the family of one who died old. Every one who understands life
assurance sees that--_bonus_ apart--the difference between an assurance
office and a savings bank consists in the adoption, _pro tanto_, of the
principle of community of goods. In the original constitution of the oldest
assurance office, the _Amicable Society_, the plan with which they started
was nothing but this: persons of all ages under forty-five paid one common
premium, and the proceeds were divided among the representatives of those
who died within the year.

THE TWO OLD PARADOXES AGAIN.

[I omitted from its proper place a manuscript quadrature (3.1416 exactly)
addressed to an eminent mathematician, dated in 1842 from the debtor's ward
of a country gaol. The unfortunate speculator says, "I have labored many
years to find the precise ratio." I have heard of several cases in which
squaring the circle has produced an inability to square accounts. I remind
those who feel a kind of inspiration to employ native genius upon
difficulties, without gradual progression from elements, that the call is
one which becomes stronger and stronger, and may lead, as it has led, to
abandonment of the duties of life, and all the consequences.] {348}

1842. Provisional Prospectus of the Double Acting Rotary Engine
Company. Also Mechanic's Magazine, March 26, 1842.

Perpetual motion by a drum with one vertical half in mercury, the other in
a vacuum: the drum, I suppose, working round forever to find an easy
position. Steam to be superseded: steam and electricity convulsions of
nature never intended by Providence for the use of man. The price of the
present engines, as old iron, will buy new engines that will work without
fuel and at no expense. Guaranteed by the Count de Predaval,[725] the
discoverer. I was to have been a Director, but my name got no further than
ink, and not so far as official notification of the honor, partly owing to
my having communicated to the _Mechanic's Magazine_ information privately
given to me, which gave premature publicity, and knocked up the plan.

An Exposition of the Nature, Force, Action, and other properties of
Gravitation on the Planets. London, 1842, 12mo.

An Investigation of the princ