The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-26 00:00:00

THE- scorcii BANKS,

Since our last, two large and influential meetings
or the noblemen, merchants, and inhabitants of
Glasgow have been held—one under the auspices
of the Dukes of Hamilton and Montrose, for the
purpose of expresssing confidence in the system of
Scottish banking—the other, professedly a meeting
of the depositors in the Western Bank of Scotland,
but apparently open to the public, with the same
objects in view. Hitherto, the Scotch banks, one
and all, were considered paragons of perfection,
and their system of banking has been frequently
referred to, from time to time, by financial his-
torians, as an example worthy of imitation. Re-
cent occurrences have, however, unfortunately dis-
sipated their high reputation for prudent manage-
ment, the stoppage of the Western Bank of Scot-
land and the City of Glasgow Bank having been the
means of disclosing a reckless system of manage-
ment, especially as regards the former, is altogether
inexcusable.

At the meeting of the Western Bank depositors,
the liabilities of the establishment were stated to
amount to 7.670,0001., and the assets to 9,398,0001.,
sho wing a surplus in favour of the Bank of upwards
Of 1,700,0001., but we do not find that any ex-
planations were vouchsafed as to the validity of
these assets—a very necessary and all important
piece of information, we should imagine, to all the
creditors of the Bank. Not many years since, a
certain gentleman became indebted to ono of those
banks to the extent of several hundred thousand
pounds ; when he was hauled up, it was found that
he had "no assets," and the bank, therefore, "in-
sured his life" to the extent of their debt, upon
Which they, of course, pay a very heavy annual
tax. This gentleman, we are told, called on the
bank some time after, and told one of the mana-
gers, " I am offered a lucrative situation in Sierra
Leone, but you know if I go out there, the policy
will be vitiated ; however, I must go; as I cannot
starve." What, then, was to be done ? The
same man is now comfortably living on the Con-
tinent, on an annuity granted him by this bank,
which annuity, added to the premiums of iusur-
ance' forms a nice little item in the expenses of the
establishment. Here, then, is a sum, let us say,
of 350,0001., which is doubtless placed down as
part of the " assets." How much more there may
be of the same description, we cannot say, but we
have disclosed quite enough to show the necessity
for a close investigation into the nature of the
assets, which are held, not only in the Scotch banks,
but in all banks entrusted with public capital.
It may be, and is, said that such investigations
would he injurious to credit ; but it is manifest
that, in the great majority of cases, it could only
be injurious to parties whose circumstances are not
in a wholesome condition. At any rate, the check
that such a system of investigation would give to
improvident management, would be productive cf
a much greater amount of good than any harm
likely to result from it.
A special commiCee, selected from amongst the
shareholders annually for this purpose, and sworn
to secrecy, should, therefore, form part of the
machinery of all banking establishments.
At the time of the distrust in London, conse-
quent upon the failure of Strachey, Paul, and
Bates, and others, suspicion was cast upon the
securities held by the Joint Stock Banks of that
city, when the directors of these banks very pro-
perly publicly intimated to their shareholders and
depositors that the securities they held were ready
for their inspection at any time. Confidence was
thus immediately restored.
If the directors of the Scotch banks had adopted
a similar course, during the late excitement, it
would have redounded much to their credit; and
it is not too late even yet to do so.
We wish it to be clearly understood, that in
what we have writtea we do not cast a shadow of
reproach upon the Scotch and Irish bankingd.
sys-
tem, as we have ha,l leng experience of itts a
Our
table working, under prudent management.
only object, in the preceding observations..
public in such a secure
preserve the interests of the enien
is to
be able to shake the security held by
manner as that "no crisis," however setvberee,bwanillk
depositor.
In a Scotlandl
charter,
banks incorporated by
Royal
theeßank of Scotland. alone
o there er e arewhich five
is established by Act of Parliament. All the share-
holders in these banks (except the Bank of Scot-
land), are liable to the whole extent of their
property. think it
necessary to state this as
We
an impress' 'on prevails in some quarters to the con-
.
trary..43evost Mercantile Journal.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
JULLIEN'S CONCERTS.

The Last Night but Two.
Madlle. Jetty Treffa, Herr Deek (Primo Basso from
the Grand Opera at Dresden), and Signor Nicosia (his
first appearance in this country.)
The highly Successful INDIAN QUADRILLE, and
GENERAL HAVELOCK'S GRAND TRIUMPHAL MAR
THIS EVENING (THURSDAY, November ),
itwia
be produced the New Grand Descriptive ComposionßlLLE,
by M. Jullien, entitled THE INDIAN QUAD
and GENERAL HAVELOCK'S TRIUMPHAL
the MARCH,
drums
performed by M. Jullien's Orchestra,, assisted by
and fifes of the Grenadier Guards the Coldstream G"
uarßuleds,
and the Scots Fusilier Guards ; and a Gra"
nd Chorus,
Britannia," and " God Save the Queen.
Prices Admission—Promenade, is ; Upper BOXOS, Is. ;
421allery, ; Dress Circle, 2s. 6d.; Private Boxes, 10s,
6(1. and upwards.
rticulars, may be had at the Boa-
Prospectuses, with full pa
office of the Theatre ; of all the principal libraries; and at
Jullien and Co.'s, 214, Regent-street.

111 EA MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
M. JULLIEN'S ANNUAL BAL
MASQUE, MONDAY, Nov. 3G.
M. JULLIEN has the honour to announce that his GRAND
ANNUAL BAL MASQUE will, this year, take place at Her
Majesty's Theatre, on MONDAY, Nov. 30.
Jullien's present Bal Masque will be given with the
same splendour as has been displayed in those magnificent
fetes he has presented to the public oa previous occasions ;
fetes which have unanimously been prononnced as unsur-
passed in Europe. It will take place at Her Majesty's
Tceatre—an establishment so famous for the splendid balls
which have been given within its walls under the most dis-
tinguished patronage. M. Jullien is determined' that this,
his Nineteenth Bal Masque in England, shall equal, if not
excel, any of its predecessors in brilliancy and splendour.
The Orchestra will comprise 110 musicians--Conductor, M.
Jullien.
4. The newest and most fashionable music will be played, in-
cluding M, Jullien's " Indian Quadrille," which has achieved
such signal success during the present season, and several
new Waltzes, Polkas, and Quadrilles, composed expressly by
M. Jullien for his Concerts and for this occasion.
The dances will be regulated by 14 Maltres des Ceremonies,
whose arrangements will be strictly carried out.
No one will be admitted except in evening dress or fancy
costume. This regulation will be strictly adhered to.
The whole theatre will be ornamented with garlands and
wreaths of flowers, in gold, silver, and colours. For this pur-
pose Messrs. Chabot and Co.' who were charged with the
decorations for the grand ball at the reception of the Empe-
ror Napoleon 111., Stuttgart, have been engaged at a great
expense, and will arrive in England expressly to arrange, at
Her Majesty's Theatre, a display, which will be seen for the
first time in this country.
Mr. Nathan, of Castle-street, Lc icester-sqaare, has been
appointed Costumier to the Bal.
Tickets for the ball, 10s. 6d. The prices of admission for
spectators (for whom the audience portion of the theatre will
be set apart) will be, dress circle, ss. ; gallery stalls, 2s. 6d.
Private boxes from 3/. 3s. and upwards. Persons taking
private boxes will have the privilege of passing to and from
the ball-room without extra charge. Ticket for the ball,
places, and private boxes, may be secured at the box-office of
her Majesty's Theatre ; of the principal librarians and music-
sellers : and at Messrs. Jullien and Co.'s, 214, Regent-street.
The doors will be open at half-past 9, and the dancing com-
mence at half-past 10.
Refreshments will be supplied during the evening by M.
Epiteaux, of the Opera Colonnade, and at 1 o'clock the supper
will be served.

THEATRE "ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buekstone.
MIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock, with
a new Comedy, entitled AN UNEQUAL MATCH. Princi-
pal characters by Messrs. Buckstone Compton, Chippendale,
W. Farren, Miss Amy Sedgwick, 4.rs. Buckingham White,
an Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam.
After which, a new farce, by the author of Box and Cox,
entitled TAKE CARE OF DOWB, in which Mr. Buckstone
will sustain an original character. —

To conclude with THE SWISS COTTAGE.
Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the
evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.)
First Price. s. d. Second price. s. d
Drags Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0
Upper Boxes 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0
Pit
Lower Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6
Upper Gallery 0 6No half-price to Upper Gallery.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean.
LAST THREE NIGHTS OF THE TEMPEST.
THIS EVENING, will be performed nakspere's Play of
THE TEMPEST.
Preceded by a new farce, in one act, entitled A CASE
OF CONSCIENCE.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster.

THIS EVENING, will be performed THE MIDDY
ASHORE, Miss Marie Wilton.

After which, a new romantic drama, called THE LEGEND
OF THE HEADLESS MAN, and in which Mr. Benjamin
Webster and Madame Celeste will perform.

Followed by the original Apropos Sketch, entiEed THE
DRAPERY QUESTION ; or, Who's for India t Messrs.
Wright, P. Bedford, C. Selby; Miss M. Wilton and Miss
Mary Keeley.

1.1 OY AL LYCEUM THEATRE.—Lessee, Mr.
* Dillon.—Under the joint management of
Miss LOUISA. PYNE and Mr. W. HARRISON.
THIS EVENING, will be performed Balfe's new opera,
THE ROSE OF CASTILLE. Characters by Miss Lontsa.
Pyno, Miss Susart Pytie, Miss Marian Prescott, Mr. Weiss,
Mr. A_ St. Albyn, Mr. G. Honey, Mr, Wallworth, and Mr.
W. Harrison. Conductor, Mr. Alfred Mellon.
To conclude with the new Farce, entitled A PAIR OF
PIGEONS. Mr. G. Honey and Miss Cuthbert.
Private Boxes, £2 12s. tid., £2 25., and £1 1.1.5. 6d. ;
iitalls, 6s. ; Dross Circle, ss. ; Upper Boxes, 4s. ; Pit, 25.;
Gallery, Is.—The Box Office is now open daily, from 11 to
5, under the direction of Mr. Chatterten, jun.l

R 0 YAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessees, Messrs. Rob;on and Emden.

THIS EVENING, will be performed a new and original
comedietta, by Sterling Coyne, Esq., called WHAT WILL
THEY SAY AT BROMPTON ! Mr. Robson, &c.
To conclude with the original Extravaganza, by Robert
It, Brought Esq., called MASANIELLO. Messrs. Rob-
-8311, Cooke, Danvers, &c. ; Misses Swanborongh, Thirlwall,
limbos, Bromley, and Mrs. Melfont.

COinmenee at half-past Seven.

OYAL SURREY THEATRE.
I_ll6 Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick.

THIS EVENING, will be performed THE. WIFE'S RE-
VENGE.

After which, INDIA, 1857. Messrs. Shepherd, Cres-
wick, W. Smith, Vollairs, B. Potter, Widdicomb, Belmore,
Tapping ; Miss M. Eburne, Miss Webster, Miss Chalmers,
Miss Johnstone,

To conclude with UP IN THE WORLD.

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—Tho follow-
ng company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
Selections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS,
CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, dtc., viz.:—Miss Russell,
Mrs. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, Mrs. Palmyra, Miss Bru-
nen, and Madame Marietta; Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr.
Heushaw, B, Grover, T. Farrant. S. Jones, J. Barker,
W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. Hime, and Mr. St.
Albys ; Messrs. S. Collins, W. 1. Critchfield, and E. Mack-
nay. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, Master
Williams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at
Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, &c., until twelve o'clock.