The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-06-18
"A Woman Banker.

HNHE anecdote that lately appeared con-
Il corning Miss Burdett Coutts has
called to mind some "reminiscences of her,
and some facts concerning her bank that
may be of general interest just now.
The banking house of Coutts tS Co., is
the repository Of all the old English aristoc-
racy, who, from the Queen down mostly
bank there. There are rich old dowagers,
maiden ladies and honorables, the real old
English baronet with his estate in the rich
pasture of Berkshire and Kent and his
shooting box' up in the north; the states
man, peer, and foreign ruler-they all in
funds. The Queen has banked there for
years, and, indeed, the immense wealth of
Miss Coutts and of the bank is totally due
to the patronage Of royalty bestowed upon
her ancestors-the founders of the bank.
Her "pass-book" is most handsome book,
inlaid with gold, bearing the royal arms,
in which all the entries are made in the
handsomest and most ornamental of writ
ing. Indeed, it is one mans work to at
tend to Her Majesty's account, which is
superintended by the " Keeper of the Privy
Purse" The emperor Napoleon, too
much as he would like us TO believe to the
contrary, kept an account there, and the
house prior to the fall of the Empire, was
continually making purchases of English
Consols on his order. There is no doubt
the Napoleon had short time ago con-
siderable sum invested in these English
securities as have most of the European
potentates at the present time.
Another great feature with the house of
Coutts & Co., is the large deposit of jew
elry, family paper, titles and other articles
of value that are left in their hands for safe
keeping. There are hundreds of large,
heavy family cases in their vaults, and
during the season at London, ladies go
daily " to the bank" (they like to make use
of the phrase) to take out some valuable
ornament for the opera, ETC., or to return
some after use. There are clerks whose
especial duty it is to see to the wants of
these ladies. ta
The great success of Coutt's banking
house is due almost to accident, as you will
see. Burdett Coutts one of the founders,
was a modest banker, on the Strand, Lon
don, in George ILLS reign, and he made
it a practice, as his bank was situated
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. TWAS during one of these
reunions that a bank official casually re.
marked his surprise that Lord-had been
refused loan of 100000 that day at his
bank. The circumstances was noted by
the West End banker, and, the dinner
over, he repaired at once to the house o.
the nobleman, left his card, requesting his
lordship to be at his office on the following
morning on business Of great Importance
The next morning Lord-was an
nounced to Mr.. Coutts, and, on his inquir
ing what business had necessitated his visit
the banker at once informed him that as
banker he had heard that his Lordshil
desired loan Of elO,OOO, and respectful,
! offered him his services.
"But can give you no security, Mr.
Coutts,' said his Lordship, as the banke
commenced countinga small package 0
crisp bank notes that were on his desk. q
; i"Your Lordship's note of hand will b
quite sufficient gallantIy responded tn
West End banker, as he handed him
note 20 sign. y fhoi Y.9ls Nf h3a
ea,s But do not think shall now want a
r much a. ten thousand pounds hesitate
a the nobieman. ai aiin oi ~ngf
8 iaa" That is im,naterial, your LOrdship,
- replied the banker. p aile aHsfHi
. "on second thought ! viii take tho to