. amongst themselves. 
164 Queries and Information velative to Friendly Societies. [Septs 15 
participation of the benefits arising from 
a fund for their provision during incapa- 
‘eity of labour, whether from sickness, 
ynisfortune, or old age, tradesmen of the 
above descriptions might form a society 
No doubt, proba- 
bilities of life are more in favour of, or 
avainst, some classes than others. _So- 
cieties composed of classes of the above 
description would only require to have 
their payments regulated by tables calcu-- 
Jared from probabilities somewhat dif- 
ferent from those generally admitted, and 
particularly adapted to the respective 
elasses. Tables calculated to meet these, 
and other circumstances, which may by 
many be adverted to, would be of es- 
sential benefit. | 
Tam convinced that the minds of the 
people’in this part will be more suscep- 
tible of conviction than those of the 
members of several societies described 
by Dr. Price, as foolishly and obstinately 
persevering in error in opposition to his 
serious admonitions and remonstrances, 
and while they at the same time expezi- 
mienially felt the bad effects of their 
ruinous principles, by the imperious ne- 
eessity of making frequent reductions of 
their annuities, and ending at iast in 
dissolution. I know afew societies who 
are just now wailivg for. such advice, ap- 
plicable,to them, as may be afforded by 
the result of this discussion, of which 
they intend to avail themselves in new- 
modelling their schemes, aad regulating 
their future conduct. Some societies 
also to begin of new, depend on that ad- 
vice for their govérnment. 
Therefore, if Mr. Morgan, or Mr. 
Frend,.aiso alluded to by Mrs. Cappe as 
an able caiculator, or others sufiiciently 
qualified, would espouse the cause through 
your medium, the object aimed at might 
be attained : and they will probably feel 
it an incumbent duty, as well asa plea- 
sure, to oblige the public by doing so. 
And considering that 1t cannot be more 
extensively circulated than through the 
Monthly Magazine, you, Mr. Editer, 
will perhaps coincide in opinion with me, 
that.a portion of your pages cannot be 
more advantageously occupied than by 
presenting to the public, from time to 
_time, such information on thissubject with 
which [I have so long encroached on 
your patience. The alarming extent of 
mischief and distress accruing from the 
failure upon failure of many of the so- 
cieties in this neighbourhood, which is 
yearly witnessed, and of what must un- 
avoidably fow from the evident state of 
decay in which the remaining ones are ° 
and will continue to -be till bankraptey 
takes place; if not immediately reformed; 
excites Im me a sincere wish to avert 
such mischief from the soeiety in which 
I have interested myself, and also from 
others which may hereafter anse. This 
I hope will apologize for me, having no 
other apology to offer. 
Since I troubled you last, I have 
learned that the Clyde Society, of Port 
Glasgow, instituted the 15th day of Oct. 
1790, and composed of the most respect- 
able merchants and shipmasters in Glas- 
gow, Port Giasgow, Greenock, Dumbar- 
ton, &c. isalready advanced so far.in the 
decline as to render a re-organization of 
its plan absolutely necessary, andin which: 
the managers are now actually engaged, 
A pity it will be, if so respectable an asso- 
ciation should a second time tall inte 
error, by consulting their own fancies’ 
alone, Instead of the opinion of a calcu- 
lator, versant in the doctrine.of annuities, 
who can furnish them with a plan, on 
the permanency of which they may safely 
rely! Were they and other societies in 
the same predicament tO correspond to- 
gether, and act in concert for the pur- 
pose of obtaining suitable advice, the 
best consequences would most likely re~. 
sult to themselves and others. « 9 ; 
Had I command of leisure time, which 
I have not, I would nevertheless con- 
sider the computation of the table of pay- 
ments, at ditferent ages, adequate to meet 
the benefits held-out by this society, in 
which Iam most particularly interested, 
ais an extremely complicated and arduous 
undertaking. It is far beyond what’I 
can pretend to be competent to perform. 
I therefore tremble, Jest after my ap- 
plication for information, through your 
valuable miscellany, considering it as the 
fountain head, the scheme of this society 
should contain one single error capable 
of endangering the fabric in the smallest 
degree. _ Notwithstanding’ the very 
prompt and obliging portions of informa- 
uon already furnished by your three cor- 
respondents who have taken up the sub- 
ject, unless some of your readers, fully 
qualified for the task, will have the good- 
ness to state the precise calculations on 
which it ought to be. reared, the super= 
structure “will in all likelihood be im« 
properly founded, Presuming, however, 
upon the goodness of Mr. Morgan and 
Mr. Frend, and that they are’ amongst: 
the number ef your readers, 1 console 
myself with the expectation of being 
soon favoured through them with the 
calculations 
