Annuity tables, calculated under the direction of government, for every admissible period of age, and for every probable deferred term, may be had at the office of the commissioners for reducing the national debt, in the Old Jewry, London.
These measures appear to be well calculated for enabling the in dustrious classes to secure a small provision in the time of their youth and strength, for the days of their age and decline, and for inciting them, while yet unencumbered, to apply the surplus of their earnings to meet the wants of those who may becomo connected with or de pendent on them in after-life.
The growth of these societies has been continuous from their esta blishment. We give below the Dumber and amount in 1833, and add those of 1859 ; but it should be remembered that when the amount reaches 200/. it is usually transferred to the public funds, as interest is no longer paid. On the 20th of November, 1833, there were 335 savings banks in England holding balances belonging to 414,014 de positors, which amounted to 13,973,2431., being on an average 34/. for each depositor. There were at the same time in \Vales 23 savings banks, having balances amounting to 361,150/. belonging to 11,269 depositors, being an average of 32/. for each depositor ; while in Ire land there were 76 savings banks, with funds amounting to 1,380,71S/., deposited by 49,872 persons, the average amount of whose deposits wag 23!. The total for England, Wales, and Ireland was consequently 484 savings banks, with funds amounting to 15,715,111/. ; the number of accounts open was 475,155, and the average amount of deposits was consequently 33/.
On November 20th, 1859, the total amount of deposits, including interest, in the United Kingdom, was 38,995,876/. The number of individual depositors was 1,479,723, of whom 213,473 were depositors of sums not exceeding 1/., 294,739 not exceeding 51., 194,133 not ex
ceeding 101., 140,092 not exceeding 15/., 86,250 not exceeding 201., 148,575 not exceeding 30/., 121,501 not exceeding 10/., 58,032 not ex ceeding 501., 93,380 not exceeding 751., 45,580 not exceeding 100/., 30,700 not exceeding 125/., 18,134 not exceeding 150/., 28,482 not exceeding 2001., and 1652 above 200/. There were also 16,315 Chari table Institutions, with deposits amounting to 802,3411,, and 10,738 Friendly Societies, with deposits amounting to 1,731,095/. There were 580 Fnendly Societies with direct aceounte with the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt, their deposits amounting to 2,001,754/. The number of annuities granted through Savings Banks or Parochial Societies, from the commencement in 1854 to January 5, 1860, was 9707 immediate annuities, amounting to 196,112/., for which 2,064,812/. had been paid, and of which 3016/. of the yearly amount of 59,432/. had fallen in ; 160 deferred annuities on payment of one sum, to the amount of 27041., for which 30,979/. had been paid, and of which 261. of the yearly amount of 478/. had fallen in; and 1875 deferred annuities for annual payments, to the amount of 37,486/., for which 187,622/. had been paid ; of these 1110 had fallen in, to the yearly amount of 21,390/., and 44,0371. had been returned in conse quence of death or default.
In November, 1858, the total amount of securities given by mana gers and trustees of savings banks had been only 67,070L, and these almost entirely in Ireland.
Much useful information as to the formation, management, and the means of ensuring the security of savings banks, will be found in A Practical Treatise on Savings Banks,' by Arthur Seratchley, M.D., 1860.
(History of Savings flanks, by J. Tidd Pratt ; The Law relating to the Purchase of Government Annuities through Savings Banks and Parochial Societies, by the same author.)