The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-16
ROYAL MONEYIN BANK
Queen Victoria Said to Have
$25,OOO,OOO to Her Credit.
WITH COUTTs & CO.. LONDON.
Qualifications OF Clerk In the Largest
Private Banking Institution
In the World.

J. B. Esdon, OF London. England, is stopping
at the Di,ler This is his second visit to this
country, but his first to the Pacific coast He
has become so favorably impressed with the de-
velopment of the resources OF the Puget Sound
country that he intends to make this city his
headquarters for an investment brokerage busi-
ness. Having strong connect ons in the London
financial world, he hopes to be able to induce
English capital to invest in this section.
'.My brother" said he, sis one of the cashiers
in the Coutts bank, OF London, wbi2h Is per-
haps the greatest fduciary institution of pri-
vate character in the world. Ny uncle Frank
Cole, was manager of the Barring Bros. banking
house up to the time OF its failure, he having
been with that institution Tor over thirty years,
and, If his advice had been followed, the house
would not have loaded up SO heavily with South
American securities, whose depreciation caused
the banks downfall.
"The great Coutts bank was founded about
$50 years ago by the grandfather OF the Baroness
Burdett-Coutts, who a Jew years ago married q
poor American named Bartlett on condition
that he would assume her name instead OF she
his. At present, however. the baroness has
only a sleeping interest in the bahk, as have the
Duke OF Argyle and presumably several other
of the wealthiest of the English nobility.
There seven active partners, the senior of
whom is Mr.. Antrobus, among the Others being
Lord Arch bald Campbell, the second son OF
bank is Francis j. shannon, and there are ten
cashiers besides a sub-manager, while each de-
partment has a chief The building occupied
by the institution Is dowdy-lookng four
story structure of gray brick, bat IL has ali the
latest improvements in the way OF precautions
against robbery The vaults extend four stores
below the street level, and in them there are
countless treasures.
~ lille other banking houses are more heard
of In the world of finance, no other of private
character manages such vast interests. The
queen and all the members OF the royal family
do their banking here, as do three-fourths OF the
nobility of the realm and every one of The rulers
OF Europe. A. the time of the revolution in
France in 1871. most of the nobility OF that
country brought their jewels, plate aud treas
ures of all kinds to England, and nearly all de-
posite! them in CoutIs' bank, including the
Due d'Aumae, the Comte de Paris, the Napo-
ieoaic princes, ex- Empress Eugene, and most
OF the German princes. Here Is where all the
rulers Of Europe have large deposits TO draw
against in times OF emergency or 10 fall back
upon in times of adversely or overthrow. II is
estimated that not less than $500 Coz go sterling
in securities lie in COutts' vaults. The transac-
tons with al thsse personages is OF the most
private and confidential character. the dealings
with royalty being conducted in person by the
partners The queen has her own private
ledgers ana apartments at the bank. ana ap-
points her own clerks. NO one else except the
partners is allowed to enter her apartments I'M
der penalty OF dismissal 1t is thought that she
keeps si000, 900 or e. 001. JD0 deposit all the
time. The confidential nature Of these dealings
with royalty assures the bank the utm 81 secur-
ity in max ug investments, as well as the EARL!
est Information as 10 any changes OF policy
likely 10 affect Its securities.
Positions in the bank are much sought after,
and some q the clerks are mem bers OF the fret
families in the land. The nobility ask the
partners to recommend men for their private
secretaries, and this recommendation Is es-
ieemed most highly. There are about $50 clerks
in the bank, divided into senior and junior
grades according to length OF service. seven
wears icing the term required for promotion.
There are some peculiar regulations Of the
bank AL employees must wear black fTock
coats ana six tiles, mus. speak krenea uuently,
pass a rigid examination IN mathematics, writ
ing, book Keeping and business law and customs
and they must al be smooth shaver. They ell
start IN 81 EID0 year and are paced upon the
walks or become collectors or messengers, "a
they would be called il this country. There are
about ten OF these, aud eseA - followed " q