The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-04 00:00:00

THE RvYAL BRITISH BANK.

The unprecedented circumstance of the suspension of
a London joint stock bank took place yesterday morning.
For some time past doubts have been prevalent as to the
position of the Royal British Bank, and a run has been
going on, which terminated yesterday in the closing of
the establishment, at about 11 o'clock, with a notice
that business was suspended "pending negotiations."
The negotiations in question were commenced on
Tuesday with the National Bank, an institution for-
merly known as the National Bank of Ireland, but which,
under the powers of its charter, entered upon business
in London in October la-t. Tee directors of this
bank, however, were willing to afford assistance to the
Royal British only within sach prudent limits as might be
thoroughly warranted by the nature of the assets to be
made over, and it is believed that upon the discovery
that the Royal British Bank had been compelled to close
its doors all idea of proceeding further was abandoned.
It is consequently inferred that unless attempts are
being made in some fresh quarter, of which, as far as
any successful result is concerned, it is feared there is
l tale probability, the prospect of any arrasgements for
a resuscitation being arrived at is at end. The capital
of the bank is divided into 3,000 shares of loot. each,
on which 501. has been paid, making a total of 150,000/.,
and among ninny practical people an opinion prevails
that the greater part, if not the whole, of this will be I
found to have been lost. Indeed, there are some who
predict that the assets will fall short of the liabilities, and
that a contribu ion from the shareholders will be required
to complete the winding up. This impression, however,
is derived merely from what is generally known of the in-
ferior character of the transactions of the establishment
and the common experience of all such liquidations, and
not from positive information of any kind. It is therefore
possible that the consequences may be much less dis-
astrous. There are strong rumours that very improper
advances have been made to persons connected with the
establishment, and it is underttood that some time back
it trade a large advance upon certain ironworks, which
have not only proved a dead weight, but which in the old
fashion have been allowed to absoib further and heavier
sun s through delusive efforts to retrieve the original loss.
The bank was established 7 years ago, with a charter
from the Board of Trade, giving. several advantageous
privileges, but no limitation of liability. The number
of sharelsoliers is 289, and among them are many per-
sons of property. According to the half-yearly state-
ment submitted on the Ist ult. the amount of its liabili-
ties to depositors was 842,428/., and its assets consisted
of discounted hills, &c., 810,2041. (including, it is re-
ported, about 250,0001. cash credits) " investments in
Government-stocks and cash," 174,3641. ; and property
in buildings, &c., 23,680/. At this meeting a dividend
of 4 pet cent. was declared, the rate previously having
been 5 per cent. The retirement of Mr. Cameron, the
manager, was also announced, and the appointment of
Mr. Craufurd in Lis place. The dirs eters were Mr. Ed
ward Esdaile, governor ; Mr. John Stapleton, deputy-
ernor ; Messrs. Isaiah Butt, Georze Gillott, Richard
Hurst, Alderman R. H. Kennedy, H. Dunning Mac
lend, and F. Valiant. The bank had lately removed from
Taenhouse-yard to the South Sea house, and it had
branches in the Strand, Lambeth, Islington, Pimlico,
Southwark, Regent-circus, and Holborn,—Tines' City
rack,