The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-12
WEIGHING GOLD COIN.
SECRET WONDERS OF THE BANK OF
ENGLAND LAID BARE.


man Qualities--A Visit to the Most
Wonderful and Best Known Bank
Vaults in the World.
What visions of untold wealth are con-
jired up by the very name of the Bank of
England
When | made up my mind to visit the
bank and its celebrated vaults found that
the matter was not easy as some may
imagine
Since the dynamite scares in London it is
exceedingly difficult to enter the portals of
the bank. But accompanied by my banker
friend, whose name is world famous and
whose doings and sayings influence the ex-
changes of two continents, the locked up
treasures were opened to my wondering
gaze,
Whenever the "open sesame" of the
bankers name is whispered the well bal
anced doors hungrily swing open, swallow
ne and my guide and snap almost noise
lassly behind us. IneXorabie looking por-
ters, cold eyed guardians and austere man
ugers bow as they hear the name or catch
glimpse of my doyen.
Tho doorway opens into the bullion of
flee, where all the gold and silver that en-
tcrs or leaves the bank passes through to
he checked. On the right is the gold on
the left the silver The first impression is
that Of being in the order department of a
wholesale trading establishment.
But a figure in white apron quickly
dispels the illusion. This parsonage in the
apron is attired in lilac vest, plum col
orcd coat aud buttons of two shilling
pieces His hat is peculiar black velvet
affair, and is a compromise between beef
caters and a smoking cap.
A MARVELLOUS INSTRUMENT.
A suaYe gentleman approaches the
banker, and in n few hurried words the
latter informs the manager (for such he Isl
that he wishes to show me everything to
be seen. We are therefore first introduced
TO the scales, or, as it is termed, the ''grand
balance"
This marvellous instrument is a ponder
ous and peculiarly built weighing ma
chine standing about seven feet high and
weighing about two tons. The whole is
under a huge glass case, access being
gained thereto by a sliding panel. The
scale is worked by hydraulic power, and is
the most sensitive weighing machine in
existence, The foundation, which is Of
solid concrete, is sunk to depth of sixteen
feet, so that not a jar can affect the clean
balance.
The manager sets the hydraulic power in
motion by means of small wheel, and
then touches an ivory button at the side.
Immediately the entire scale, weighing
hundreds Of pounds, sinks seven inches
and is ready for weighing.
"We will GTst weigh a postage stamp"
observes the suave gentleman. On each
side the scales are fitted with weights
amounting to 400 ounces. When gold is to
be weighed the smaller weights on the bal
ance are withdrawn, and the gold placed
on one Of the two lodges The gold is
made up in 400 ounce bars, and the differ
ence Of onethousandth part of an ounce
can be detected,
The stamp being added to the 400 ounce
weights another ivory button is touched,
and the index jumps a distance of six
inches! Think of it; six inches on the in
deX for postage stamp! But the most
wonderful incident was yet in store for me-
ALMOST HUMAN MECHANISM.
'Supposing a bar contains more than
this scale is made to weigh" explains the
manager, 'any other scale would 90 to
this limit and give no sign. Not this one,
however" To prove this headds one quar-
ter of an ounce more than the maximum
weight, when, instead of the index moving,
there is a pause of some few seconds and
then an electric hell commences ringing.
There is something terribly human about
this mechanism which declines toexecute q
task Of which it is incapable. This is the
only balance of its kind in the world. The
maker has never constructed duplicate
This triumph of mechanical art cost exact
ly e2,OO0. The silver scale is of course not
so finely balanced, and the two are respec-
lively christened "The Lord Chief Justicen
and "rhe Lord High Chancellor"
The manager then moves away from the
scale, and turning a handle in the wall
suddenly illuminates a long vault, with
iiucly groined arches, which would other
wise pass unnoticed. Throwing the gate
open we pass in, followed by one of the
body guards in chocolate brown suit.
We arrive at door which admits us to
IN inclosure almost entirely of glass, in
which visitors stand and gaze upon the
wonders within. However, the bodyguard
throws open the door, and stepping up to
the chief, whispers a word in his ear. He
approaches us with a warm welcome, and
bids me walk up to one of the gold weigh
ing machines, Of which there are some
thirty here. This is the room where SOW
ereigns and half soveregns are weighed
when sent in by bankers and Others. Here,
again, hydraulic power is used.
A COMPLICATED MACHINE.
a machine consisting of a complicated
system of counter weights looks not un-
like sewing machine as to its lower half.
This is completely inclosed in glass. A
long feeder, like tube cut in half, down
its length, and made of brass, is set at an
angle Of 45 degs., and is filled with long
roll of sovereigns. These turn as they slip
down on to a circular. movable plate,
slightly larger than Il sovereign
For moment the plate seems to be de-
ciding upon the merits of that particular
coin. Then, as if it has made up its mind
conclusively, it deftly turns the coin to the
right, and it slips down metal tube into
till below.
But if the coin proves to be lighter than
the standard weight the delicate machine
turns it to the left and condemns it to the
guillotine. Again one is impressed with the
human" idea of hand weighing the sov-
ereigns. One can almost fancy that a hid
den person is feeling the weight There is
more than mere mechanical look about
the momentary indecision of the scale
plate; it is really rather that of an intelli-
gent animal
These machines weigh coins at the rate
of twentysix per minute, and days
weighing amounts to about 100000 ster-
ling. The light coins are taken to the gull
lotine--another hydraulic triumph-and
dropped down long tube. AS they slip
through sharp knife clips the coin neatly
down the center aud allows it to fall out at
the slot at the side, and, to carry out the
guillotine notion, they fall into small
basket.
They ara nnt ont in tyun hut tba o,t ;e