demanded, the South turned against him as one man. His biographer proves
conclusively that the weak and time-serving President was _opposed_
to secession; but as positively proves without intending to do so, that
he favored it by his singular unfitness and indifference in emergencies.
When secession threatened, Mr. Buchanan took the ground that he would
not precipitate war by applying force to prevent a State from seceding,
but that he would defend the flag and property of the United States.
With this policy in his heart, he permitted public property to be
seized, without striking a blow; he discovered treason in his cabinet,
and coolly allowed the traitors to consummate their work and to depart.
The fact was, that he was a very weak man, and his biographer is the
best authority for the statement. The work is important; it will always,
as it richly merits, be consulted by students, and may be read with
interest and profit by all.

(To be continued.)

* * * * *




ASSESSMENT LIFE INSURANCE.

BY SHEPPARD ROMANS.


Life insurance, by whatever system, plan or method, has, for its
fundamental basis, the laws governing the rates of mortality at the
different ages. These fundamental laws have been developed and made