LAW OF MORTALITY, FOE, BRITISH INDIA. 



199 



The Oriental has existed for a longer term, and has incurred engage- 

 ments up to 1833, on so many as one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 

 one lives ; out of which, during twelve years, it suffered to the extent of three 

 hundred and seventy-three lapses. But unless, as will be understood by the 

 more accurate and certain Tables to be hereafter referred to, there have been 

 some extensive frauds at times practised on the Society, it is difficult to 

 account for the very heavy rate of mortality it has experienced. It insured 

 on an average seven hundred and eight lives yearly, losing of these with 

 more or less regularity, more than thirty-one persons in the year, or an 

 actual percentage of 4.39. Its greatest percentage of lapses during one 

 year was 6.89, and its least 2.78. We believe here also some of the hea- 

 viest lapses occurred in certain cases shortly after the parties had effected 

 insurance. 



Although the Committee were unable to avail themselves of the expe- 

 rience of the Calcutta Life Insurance Offices to form a true estimate of the 

 mortality, it may be remarked that the deaths exhibited by them nevertheless 

 wonderfully bear out the fact shewn in all the general Tables prepared from 

 the Honorable Company's different services of the regularly progressive 

 ratio of danger (with a trifling exception only in some of the Tables,) from 

 increasing years and prolonged residence in India. The ratio in the Army is 

 generally under 3 per cent, for the first years of exposure, and increases to 

 about per cent, at 30 : 4 per cent, at 40 : more than 4;^ at 50, and con- 

 siderably higher at the next decennial period, while shortly after this time 

 of life the longevity of the surviving Anglo-Indians almost keeps pace with 

 the Northampton and other Tables, prepared during the last century in 

 Europe. In the Civil Service the percentage of mortality for the last forty 

 years has been somewhat under 2 per cent, for the first twenty years of 

 residence in India ; a result far more favorable than that of the other services. 

 After the age of 40, the ratio of decrement would appear to keep pace with 

 that of the Army. 



