Mr W. Fraser mi the Historic and Constitution of 



more generally applicable. They desire, however, to recommend the Re- 

 port to the perusal of all persons who take an interest in inquiries of this na- 

 ture, and they have derived many valuable hints from the proceedings of the 

 society, and from the evidence of Mr Oliphant, writer to the Signet, by whom 

 the Report was framed. 



*' But the Committee certainly do not feel justified in recommending these 

 Scots tables, or any which require payments lower than those required at 

 Southwell, for adoption by any society in England." — Rep. p. 14, 15. 



Such is the conclusion which has been come to by the Ho- 

 nourable Committee, with regard to the tables that ought to be 

 preferred for benefits during sickness ; and it now only remains 

 to consider how far that conclusion is supported by the facts 

 and evidence which have been adduced. 



The highest rate of sickness exhibited, is that of the army, 

 which is more than treble the average deduced by the Highland 

 Society ; but it will be obvious that the sickness of the army 

 can never apply to the working classes. The operative cannot 

 give up his work upon every slight accident or illness, but must 

 continue as long as possible to labour, on account of his society 

 allowances (if any) being usually less than his wages, by the 

 wants, perhaps, of a family, and from the danger of being de- 

 prived of his employment. The very slightest indisposition, 

 again, immediately consigns a soldier to the hospital ; and nei- 

 ther is he restrained by any pecuniary interest from practising 

 imposition, for, during sickness, his pay is always sure, he is not 

 afraid of losing his situation, and he is freed from all duty what- 

 ever. These and other causes may go far to account for the 

 high rate of sickness resulting from the army reports. 



The rate of sickness assumed by Dr Price was acknowledged 

 even by himself to be higher than what would probably be found 

 by experience, and Messrs Finlaison, Glennie, and some others 

 are of the same opinion. A still higher rate, however, (no 

 less, under 50 years of age, than double that appearing from 

 the returns to the Highland Society), has been assumed for 

 the tables of the society at Southwell, although the Reverend 

 Mr Becher, their manager, is convinced that it " will exceed 

 the ordinary proportion of sickness prevaihng around us,"*"* and 

 although no general experience has yet shewn such a rate to 

 occur. It is likewise to be observed, that such an excess is not 

 required by this society for the expence of management, a se- 

 parate fund being otherwise provided for that purpose. 



The law of sickness deduced by the Highland Society of Scot- 



