The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-06 00:00:00

THE BANKERS'.

The article on " Banking for the Poorer Classes" is
deserving the attention of the philanthropist, the finan-
cier, and the statesman. Our present banking system
offers to the rich either eligible investments or pecuniary
accommodation, on the most advantageous terms ;
whereas the poor man, if he seek a safe investment, can
find it only in the savings' bank, where he gets but
three per cent. for his money, and if he wants accom-
modation, lie must have recourse either to the pawn-
broker or the loan society, and then he can only obtain it
on ruinous terms. Having thus described the situation
of the poor man, the writer proceeds to propose his plan.
" It will be seen from what has been already stated, how
completely the poorer class of borrowers are left in the hands
of unprincipled sharpers, and pettifogging attorneys. We
think it is deserving of consideration—whether the present
system of savings' banks might not be so far modified, as to
render available a portion of the funds invested with them,
for loans to parties who can give satisfactory security. If
this could be done, it would protect the borrowers from the
rapacity of these ' loan societies,' and would realise for the
savings' bank depositors a much larger rate of interest than
they can at present receive. The chief objection would, of
course, be that the savings of the poor depositor would not
be so secure as at present; but we think there arc few depo-
sitors who would not give up some portion of this security
increased
rate the great advantages he would derive from the
rate of interest. The objections, too, might be altogether
avoided, if the present savings' bank system was. continued
for time who tiogrod it; allewing ()there to west their

money in a new institution, which should combine the savings
banks' with the loan societies' plan."
The plan seems to be a feasible one, and should it
succeed, it will do much to raise the social condition of
the labouring classes. At all events, it is worth a trial.

OUR 0 TVIV TIMES. Illustrated by George Cruikshank.
And where can " Our own Times" find an illustrator
more graphic ? Who is there who combines wit and
wisdom, grace and grotesqueness, fun and pathos, with
the truthfulness of Cruikshank ? The announcement
alone is sufficient to give the world assurance of a treat.
Cruikshank has secured the services of a host of literary
collaborateurs, and we hope that he and they will continue
every month to give us illustrations of " Our own
Times," as long as " Our own Times" they continue
to be.

THE ALMANAC OF THE
_MONTEL Edited by

G. A. A'Beckett.

This pleasant record of the fun and follies of the
month still continues its career with unabated spirit.
The following hit at the dwarf mania is not bad :
" A HLNT TO PLAYGOER,S.—As there seems to be a taste
recently sprung up among the public for seeing dwarfs on
the stage, we beg to offer a suggestion by which people may
experience this gratification at any of the metropolitan
theatres :—By reversing the opera-glass, and looking through
the wrong end of it, all the performers at Drury-lane, the
Haymarket, or the Adelphi, will appear as diminutive as the
most enthusiastic admirer of littleness could possibly desire.'