The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-27
TO-DAY IS 218TH BIRTHDAY OF THE OLD LADY OF
 THREADNEEDLES STREET

Two hundred and eighteen years ago to-day, on July 27. 1894, the worlds greatest financial institution, the Bank of England, was granted a charter, and the birthday, in accordance with annual custom, will be celebrated as a holiday by the thousands of the banks employees. No other financial institution in the world possesses so many privileges as the Bank of Eng land. It issues bank notes and acts as the agent of the government in the matter of the national debt. It's stability is famous throughout the world, and "as strong as the Bank of England is a comparison that has become proverbial. Besides it's extra ordinary financial powers, the bank has others that it does not take ad- vantage of. Under the charter of in corporation granted July 27, 1894. the privilege was given the bank of sell wished the old lady of Threadneedle street." as the bank is popularly call- ed, could open public house, or could send drays around and deliver beer at the doors of Londoners. The "old lady" has never taken advantage Of this provision, probably considering that she is too old and dignified to turn 'barmaid, but there is no doubt that Bank of England beer, with the chief cashiers signature on each la bel as a guaranty of quality, would have tremendous sale. William Paterson, Scotch merchant, project ed the Bank of England, which was originally designed to meet the diff culty experienced by William III in raising the sinews of war for a con- fiict with France. By the influence of Paterson and Michael Godfrey, for ty merchants subscribed forty thous- and pounds towards the sum of 1,200,- @1<~ I.~ 7~L & %la@ ment at eight per cent, in considera- tion of the subscribers being incorpo- rated as a bank. The bill was vio- lently opposed in Parliament, but the measure obtained the royal assent and the charter was granted. Sir John Houblon was the first governor, and the bank commenced active operations at Grocers' Hall, Poultry, issuing notes for twenty pounds and upwards and 'discounting bills for 41z to 6 per cent. The foundation for the building in Threadneedle street was laid in 1732, and the bank removed there two years later. Great additions have been cupies the site of the church and nearly all the parish of St. Christo- pher-le-Stocks. The churchyard is now termed 'Ethe garden
 To-day is the centennial of the
 
 in, consequence of opposition to the declaration of war against England expressed by a newspaper, the Fed eral Republican. The office and print Ing materials were destroyed. One hundred yearW ago tonight a great mob of enrased Baltimoreans attacked the house of the editor, A. c. Hanson, which was garrisoned and under the protection of Gen. Henry Lee. Gen. Lingam, and otheGs. A hot fight took place, in which a number of persons were killed and wounded. Ad- ditional troops came to the assistance of the besieged editor, who surrender ed on promise of adequate military protection in prison. On the follow ing night another mob formed and as- saulted and broke into the jail Gen. Iingam was killed, and eight others were thrown out as dead, and several were wounded. No one was punished for participation in the assault.
 The authorities of Barcelona Spain, are greatly exercised over the propos- ed celebration to-day of the third an- niversary of the Barcelona riots of July 27. 1909. AS a result of this up- rising, hundreds of alleged conspira- tors were shot, among them Francis co Ferrer, the Spanish educator, who after his execution was adjudged in nocent by the Spanish Supreme Court. The demonstration to-day, 1t is fear ed, may be the occasion of another serious riot
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