The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-11 00:00:00

SAVINGS BANKS.

It is no idle assertion, that Savings Banks have
been unfairly and unjustly dealt with. The fact, that
depositors are now suffering by the reduction of in-
terest allowed them, for the grasping and unprincipled
rapacity of a former Government, is obvious to all.
The fact, too, that the present Ministry, instead
of amending, are profiting by the evil deeds of their
predecessors, in regard to savings banks, is no less
disgraceful than true. The rate of interest
allowed to the humble but extensive class of
savings-bank depositors, should, one wculd naturally
suppose, be raised instead of depressed. All who
have the good of these institutions at heart think
so, and all were struck with surprise and sorrow
when the announced reduction fell like a thunderbolt
among them. They naturally calculated that, if the
Government were to restore what it had unfairly taken
from them, there would have been no necessity for a
change, at least for such a fearful change as the present
one. The act of plunder, they thought, was disgraceful
enough, but when they were coolly told, besides, that
the usual interest must be ditnini: lied, although the
proceeds of this plunder would have been amply suf-
ficient to continue the previous rate en its old footing,
the whole appeared a deed of so monstrous a nature, that
no words can be found sufficiently forcible to express
their indignation and abhorrence.
We hope that Ministers, then, will not overlook the
present state of savings banks. Their late measure has
done more to render these institutions valueless than all.
the evil inducements that have ever stepped in between
the poor man and a habit of saving. We do not wish
ourselves to be righted at the expense of others—we wish
every one to have his own; but we cannot tamely sit down
and see the claims of every other branch of British in-
dustry attended to, and those of savings banks, which
are of at least [equal importance, passed unheeded
by. As the representatives of 900,000 of our fellow-
subjects, we call upon the Ministry for justice
(favour we want none) to those who, as it has been shown
in former numbers, are politically and morally the firmest
safeguards of this country. That a thorough exami-
nation into the minute details connected with the whole
system of savings banks is necessary to restore them to
a working state, and that such an examination must Le
a work of magnitude and toil, are facts equally certain.
It is, however, no less certain that an act of injustice,
when pointed out, should be remedied as soon as pos-
sible, and that as long as the Act complained of re-
mains unremedied, so long will we continue our utmost
exertions to bring it before the notice of those in whose
hands alone the remedy is placed.—Savings Banks
Circular.

TIM LACE TRADE.—The state of trade in Not-
ngham appears to be quite as healthy as can be rea-
sonably expected at this season. That goods of so
delicate a kind and variety in taste, and adapted, too,
for various countries and seasons, such as lace is, should
find at this time a fair demand, must be encouraging.
The obvious feature which may give confidence to the
staple manufacturers of the town is, that there can be
no fear of thread or cotton coming down in price : on
the contrary, we have reason to believe that it will ad-
vance, a little, rather than otherwise, during the year.
In the quilling and plain net trade there can be no
doubt or apprehension whatever as to the price being
maintained ; and as respects fancy goods, so much de-
pends upon the taste and judgment of the producers,
that for the most part they must depend upon them-
selves, as they have to devise and bring out that which
wi 1 suit the fancy of those whose judgment may be more
exquisite than their own, to do which requires a strict
attention to the cultivation of a chaste and elegant de-
sign, which will have in its effect not only individual but
collective advantages. Any one making fancy lace will
ce, tainly promote his own interest by as much as
possible not copying or imitating others in design:
the more distinct and numerous the designs, the more
extensive and beneficial, we augur, will be the consump-
tion ; and those who may be making an old pattern,
that is now hanging heavy in the market, and even if it
could be sold, would bear very little profit, yet it would
be even better, just at this time, when the German and
other markets are closed to us to continue in that, rather
than hazard a change which may not be better, and
which may be expen.sive.-21'atiaghanz Review.
ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERK ENWELL,—This cele-
brated ecclesiastical remain, the only one of the kind in
the Metropolis, is threatened with destruction, under the
provisions of the new Building Act, complaints having
been made to the overseers of the parish that it
is in a state of insecurity, threatening the safety
of passengers. For some time past, this lodge
entrance to the old, monastery has been tenanted as a
beer-shop, and it is apparently in a very dilapidated
state from want of proper repairs and attention. A
strong desire exists on the part of many antiquarians
and the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, to restore this
interesting part of the ancient building, and to con-
vert it to a literary and scientific institution for the
benefit of the inhabitants of the crowded dis-
trict of Clerkenwell, in the same way as Crosby-hall
for the city, as it might easily be made available for the
purpose, and it is intended shortly to convene a public
meeting on the subject. The old gate, under which, ac-
cording to history, the last abbot, ere his ejectment by .
Henry VIII., dropped dead suddenly, having broken
his heart, has been immortalised by Sylvanus Urban, as,
forming the frontispiece of the Gentleman's Magazine,
ever since its est.blishment.