Star.
London, England, 1819-01-26 00:00:00

it was obvious, upon a first inspection, that no bene-
, ticial tesult could be expected. Of the whole num-
ber, we find about twelve of saperior skill and inv.-
. itity, but anticipated by others of higher merit ; or
merely ingenious, but inapplicable in practice. And
we consider nine others to be either of such origina-
-1 lity or ingenious combination of existing means, as to
have required our more particular attention ; and
with respect .to these. much, consideration has been
had' and, in some. instances, improvements and exr
periments suggested and tried.
a' We have not considered, as decis;Ve agains. the
merit of any particular plan; the single fact, that it
may be imitated by superior art and expensive means.
But when we have found, in the case of specimens'
submitted to us, apparently of great excellcace, and
the result of a combivation of talent or machinery,
that a very good imitation has been produced in a
short time, without any' peculiar expense, and by
the afiplication of means only, which are within the
reach of very many artists and engravers in England;
and when we reflect, to how very few hands the
business of forgery appears to be at present confined,
we cannot doubt that in the event of Bank Notes
being formed from any such specimens, an equal
number at least of persons would very soon indeed
be found capable of fabricating those Notes to a con-
derable extent, and with a degree of skill quite suf.
ficient to deeeive the public. Another consideration
has also had weight•in inducing us to hesitate much,
before we venture to recommend any specific plan.
" The adoption of any new form of note present-
iug peculiar and characteristic marks,- but the imita-
tion of which we could not confidently feel to be ex-
tremely difficult, would not only not do good,, bog
would produce much evil; and would induce a false
security, by accustoming the Public to rely upon the
appearance of such marks and peculiar character,,ra-
ther than upon-a cautious and general observation of
the whole note.

" Our.remarks, however, as to imitation, do not
apply to all the specimens which have been offered to
us. There are a few of singular and superior merit,
produced by means which it is very improbable should
ever come within the reach of any single forger, and
the imitation of which, except by those means, ap-.
pears in a high degree difficult.
" Safety, or rather comparative safety, is to be
sought, to a certain extent, in a combination of ex-
cellence in various particulars ; but chiefly, as we con-
ceive, in the application of a principle beyond the
reach of the art of the Copper-plate Engraver, which
in its different processes is possessed of the most for-
midable powers of imitation.
" One plan, before alluded to, as apparently afford-
ing this advantage, has been. with the most liberal
assistance from the Bank, for some tinie past, in a
course of trial for its greater perfection, and with a
view to combination with other improvements, satis-
factory experiments of which have already been
effected. The result, if our efpectations be not dis-
appointed, will afford a specimen of great ingenuity
in the fabric of the paper, of great excellence in the
workmanship, and of a very peculiar invention, and
difficult machinery in the art of printing. We con-
fidently hope, that no long time will elapse before
we are enabled to lay before your Royal Highness
that result ; and we have every reason to know, that
the Bank Directors are sincerely anxious to adopt
any plan, which shall be found, after patient exansi.
nation, to be worthy of adoption. In the mean time,
we have thought it right not to delay informing your
Royal Highness of the course of our proceedings.—
The investigation in which we have been engaged,
has strengthened rather than removed our feeling of
the difficulties with which the whole subject is sur-
rounded. We do not 'wish to represent those difficul-
ties as precluding the propriety of an attempt to re-
move the existing evils, by a change in the form of
the notes issued by the Bank of England ; but we do
feel them to be such, as to make it imperative upon
those with whom the responsibility rests, to be fully
satisfied that they shall produce an improvement,
before they venture to effect a change.
" All which is humbly submitted to your Royal
Highness's consideration and judgment.
(Signed) :OWN wan, JUL MAISMAN,
" WILLIAM CONGIP2III/4 WW. ii. woccastow,
" wu. COV/ILTZWAT. GUARLIII UATCHSTT.
is DAVIES omegas,
" Soko.square, Jan. 15, 18111." •

THE EVENING STAR.