The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-09-13
Miss I,urdett COutts' Bank.


purchases of English consols to his or.
der.
The great success of Coutts' banking
house is due almost to accident. Bur-
dett Coutts, one of the founders, was a
modest banker on the Strand, London,
in George Ills reign, and he made it a
practice, as his bank was some distance
from the so.called "city," in order to
keep himself posted on the financial
movements going on there, to dine with
some of the leading city-bankers and
bank managers as often as opportunity
would permit. 1t was during one of
these reunions that bank official cas-
ually remarked his surprise that Lord
= had been refused loan OF ten
thousand pounds that day at his bank.
The circumstance was noticed by the
West End banker, and, the dinner over,
he repaired at once to the house OF the
nobleman, and left his card, requesting
his lordship to call at his office on the
following day on business OF great I'M
portance. The next morning Lord -
was announced to Mr.. Coutts, and, on
his inouiring what business had necessi-
tated this visit, the banker at once in
formed him that as a banker he heard
that his lordship had desired loan OF
ten thousand pounds, and he respect
fully offered his services.
But | can give you no security, Mr..
Coutts," said his lordship, as the banker
commenced counting small package
OF crisp bank.notes that were on his
desk.
Your lordship's note Of hand will
be quite sufficient" CALAMITY responded
the West. End banker, and he handed
him note to sign.
:" But do not think shall want as
much as ten thousand pounds" hest
tated the nobleman.
THAT is immaterial, your lordship,"
replied the banker.
"On second thought will take the
ten thousand pounds, and, as l shall
only need five thousand, you will please
place the remainder to my credit as an
opening of an account with you in my
name"
The banker thank ed his new custom
err, escorted him with much politeness
to his carriage at the door, and then
babe him "Good.day."
The action Of the banker was a long
sighted one. 1t was good investment.
The balance was soon increased, the
loan returned, and the nobleman com.
menced to tell the story round at the
Court of st. James of the wonderful &C.
commodatlng spirit of the West. End
banker. Others soon deposited their
money in his hands, and the story was
so we'll circulated at the palace that the
Kings curiosity was excited, and he in
formed the bankers patron of his de.
sire to meet the banker. Coutts went
finally. He was introduced to the
King, and his quiet, modest manners
won the favor OF the Court. His pres.
ence at Court created quite sensation,
for it was soon afterward reported that
the King had given his private finances
into the keeping OF Burdett Coutts.
The rest of the Court soon followed the
example of the King, and thus was Sc.
cured to the house the wealthy patron.
age of the aristocracy of England.
Miss Burdett Coutts has, as is well.
known, the interest of the employees OF
the bank at heart. 1t is hard matter
to get into the bank. Noblemen's sons
now seek positions in the establish
ment, and some of the partners are no
blemen. College educated men are
alone taken as clerks, and then an ex
animation is gone through, which is
conducted with the same strictness as
is the examination into the family, rep.
utation, and general recommendations
of the applicants. For every vacancy
there are hundreds of applicants. But,
when admitted, clerk has fine posi-
ton. He will be told, on his being adj
, mitted, that he must not wear a mus
tache, but simply side-whiskers and in
his dress, although nothing will be said
to him about it, every modesty of style
: will be expected Of him. This is done
on account of the great dislike the rea
aristocracy of England have for the
gaudy, snowy fop of tie middle classes
who so often, in his ignorance and self
conceit, apes the gentleman. The
clerks are all supplied with dinner in
side the establishment, at the personal
expense Of Miss Burdett Coutts, and
they owe their good.fortune for the
dinner" lunch" as it is called:
} first. class merely to accident.
1t appears that on one occasion Miss
Burdett Coutts entered the bank short
ly after one o'clock, and remarked tc
! one of the partners that the bank seem
ed very empty. "Where are the gen
tlemen she inquired.
They have gone to lunch" answer
) ed the partner, land they generally dc
= so every day about this time"
She expressed herself as not approx
; ing Of 1.-THE gentlemen going out in
all weathers from one codee-room to
, another in search of meal, and she
, then inquired if there was no remedy
J for it. She then asked why they couio
not dine at the bank.
Extra expense" suggested the part
ner, whereupon Miss Burdett Coutt'
: authorized the providing of meal reg
+, ularly for the gentlemen, and her &C
4 count to be deblted with the necessar,
expense. And thus it is ever with her
She is always on the watch for the %
: portunity 10 do some benefit with he
l wealth. To say that those clerks wor
: ship her and her good heart does no
4 exaggerate their feelings Of 1--we anC
e respect for hel.
!, A Grave Question.
A Paris correspondent mentions tina
y an {" Eastern question " of ridiculou