New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-05
1nnnr R4NRH


We have nothing 10 teach our Transatlantic
brethren in the art Of lootlug banks as the recent
occurrences in Glasgow and Brussels sufficiently
attest. From the former institution the round sum
of thirty millions was quietly and plOusly excavated
without the least noise or confusion, while the
latter was depleted by tho comparatively trivial
abstraction Of hye or six millions; the precise
amount so deliberate are the ways of Beige
finance. probably awaiting the cerutication
of tho next annual balance Of accounts.
In the case of the Scottish institution
directors and managers wrought together Tor an
extended period in emptYug It's Golfers; but the
able and self-reant TKiut accomplished bis OK
plot without any active aid from confederat's.
His superiors droHssd comfortably in tho dim aud
cushioned pcueralia Of the Institution, op-
pressed with Assnanshauser and STasburg pies.
signing whatever papers were brought to chem,
asking no confusing questions, and believing
steadfasty in I'Kint, as If he were an article OF
faith continuously incarnated inserted in boots ana
brooches, and lent to them by benignant
Providence He had a salary of $500, on when nc
kept mistress of the cO.test Brussels pattern
hotel horses and carriages, retinue tservans slh-
ing in the pink and salmon braveries of the pKiut
livery with hcraldic buttons running up their bel
lies ana down their backs. aud all the appointments
lie bought pictures likewise, and bronzes and brlc-
A-brac and curious tapestries HIS cook was Gordon
BIpu. Tor the possession Of whom be had contested
with prime dome, Russian princes, bonanza kings
ana empsrors. HIS dinners were. in consequence,
much esteemed, and among his guests the superior
officers of the bank were frequently numbered III
Is said that bis mistress presided at these banquets
Of tho gods and aftorward in tho DRAWING
room, with the chipping vvacity OF Nin0h
de PEuclos aud the cnaste grace Of Diana :;
and IKmt was looked upon as q wonderful imam
Ger who lived in weil-earued clover, and illustrated
in a supcrlative degree the prosperity attendant
upon sound aud conservative principles OF banking
When the bottom finally fell out OF his plans, Dis I'm
modiatccci partially arOuscdby the concnssion'
and encountered the emergency IN prompt ana Ne
yoc manner by suggesting that the Governor OF the
bank should not be informed Of the catastrophe, as
he was well stricken in years and might not be able
to grasp tho particulars. So T'klnt grded bis Ions
and fed taking lis mistress with him, baasted
with sundgy bags Of swag which he had
been able to rescue from the ruins Of
his prosperity. But be was soon captured, and on
his return made the liberal and ingenious PROPOSE
itiou that ihe bank should embark in speculation
under his direction, and so readjgst its deranGod
financial balance. Thus far, however it seems {"
have no prospect OF getting back It's losses, and the
direction must content themselves with the memory
Of the capital dinners which their easy discipline
permitted ther subordinate to give them, AMI with
retrospect Of the polite and polished attentions De
slowed upon them by his handsome mistress.
Perhaps if he had walked in the sOberer ways of his
Scottish emulators he might have lasted little
longer and got off with few more millions, but 1t
is by no means certain. The mOralitIes Of gay and
peasure-lOvug Brussels not those of the gray
metropolis of the North, and II is possible that
pious bank manager who paid punctual tithes vi
mint, anise and cummiD, aud woe sad weeds
aud brow darkened with the lines II dOctrinal
meditation, might create much alarm among
Belgian deposItors as a Scotch deacon who kept
mistress and gave masquerades and clad his ser
wants IN lvcres of punk and salmon would do
among the thrifty and sober-mindcd GlascOgians.
Considering his comparatively limited opportunity
it cannot be denied that I'Kmt did pretty well.
If he had lett the combination" with the janitor
on his departure It would have been an additional
stroke Of talent but It Is be has left sufficient
evidence OF his remarkable enuOwments to engage
the admiration of the punderod Bruxiois for some
time to come.