THE STANDARD LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY. By William Schooling, K.B.E. (W.
Blackwood..)—The His- ary of the Standard Life Assurance Company since its foun- lation in Edinburgh in 1821 makes very good reading, quite 'part from its economic interest. All sorts of odd bits of information illustrating the great changes which have taken place in a hundred years are to be gathered from its pages. Early in the last century £100 would purchase an immediate life annuity of £9 12s. on a female life aged sixty, and immense extra premiums charged for foreign travel and residence show how great were the travellers' risks. Office hours among other ways of life have altered greatly in a century :— " Commencing at_10 o'clock they continued till five, and then again from 6.30 p.m.- During the summer months half the staff were allowed to be absent from 4 till 6.30 p.m.. when they again came on duty until 8 o'clock. The other half worked till 6vc and did not come back."
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