The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-03-28
A Bank of England Story.

A London correspondent Of the Bos'
ton Journal writes: The first person
l met on entering the Bank of Eng
land was venerable porter in aquaint
uniform, which dates back, l think, a
hundred years or more; 1t left a green
and.buff impression upon me, but l
cannot accurately describe It's details.
The porter led me to a room where the
executive officer of the bank was to be
found. This officer, Mr.. GRAY, is eti-
titled "chief accountant, &nd his
position corresponds very much to that
of cashier of one of our banks. Mr..
Gray, who sat at his desk surrounded
by corps Of busy clerks, and who is o
gentleman of the most courteous ana
unassuming manners, gave me cor
dial welcome, and under his guidance
| visited every department of the bank,
and had everything which l did not
understand at a glance explained to
me. The capital of the bank Is four
teen and one-half millions sterling; its
circulation in the hands of the public
about twenty-five millions sterling; its
deposits, on no portion of which is in
terest paid, average in these days
about thirty-two millions sterling
1t circulates no smaller note than five
pounds, but this seems to be the only
limit to determinations; in frame in
the building is a Cancelled note OF the
Bank Of England for million pounds
sterling and, if 1 remember rightly,
the banker poet Rogers had hanging in
his library cancelled note Of The same
institution for 100000.
have heard that note for elO,OOO
once had singular history. 1t was
paid out to one of the directors of the
bank who soon afterward lost it under
such circumstances that he was salts
fed, and succeeded in satisfying the
bank, that it had fallen into his fire
place and been destroyed. He was
given new note, for which he re-
turned proper receipt and guarantee.
Many years afterward the original note
was presented for payment; the bank
endtavOred to disown it, but could not,
for it was genuine and in the hands OF
an innocent person, and the bank
had to pay it. It's history was
then looked into, and it was ascer-
tanned that, instead Of being
burned, it had been carried
up the chimney by a draught,
and had found Il safe lodg'
ment in some Granny in the flue. Here
it had remained until alterations in
the house necessitated the removal OF
the chimney; then it was discovered
by a workman, who regarded it as a
legitimate find, and who presented il
for payment. Right here may as well
relate another story of the bank, OF
which there are many, both in print
and as legends, but of which l will lei
these two serve as specimens. A sewer
workman, while poking under ground
found that by raising tlagstone HI
, could penetrate into the bullion room
of the bank. Amazed at the discoy
cry, he pondered over it, and tinall.
concluded that he would utilize it t
his pecuniary benefit without stealing
He therefore wrote to the directors
asking what reward he would receive
if he should meet them at any mp
. pointed hour Of the night in the bul
: lion room, and thus reveal to them
I mode of ingress Of which they wer
; entirely ignorant. They named a sun
! which would make him indedenpen
for life, and TO their overwhelming sur
prise he kept his promise by poppini
up through the sewer, for which he re
ceived ten thousand pounds or so. Thi
= is qUpnOeed tO have baDDPDRl long ACC