The Washington herald., 1912-04-21
ENGLISH SOCIETY AND ONE
OF ITS GREAT INSTITUTIONS

order in Miss MurieI Wilson. Mrs Willie
James, the Duchess of Westminster, and
her sister, Princess PIeSs. One society
woman who actually Joined the ranks Of
professionals was Lady Constance Stew
Richardson, explorer and hunter,
whose barefoot dancing at the Palace
Iheater created quite a sensation some
time ago.
The Bank Of England, which Is in three
London parishes. and which now Is ap-
pealing respecting its taxrates, enjoys
many privileges, such as issuing bank
notes and acting as the agent OF the
government for the national debt. But
only few are aware that the bank also
has the right to sell beer without a
license. This privilege was granted to the
bank in its charter of incorporation.
under the British great seal. dated July
2, 1884, Therefore, If the Bank Of Eng
land should take the notion to open a
public house Csaloon) in ThreadneedIe
street. or to deliver beer with its carts
from house to house in London. there is
nothing in law to prevent the new enter
prise. Just think Of Bank Of England
ale" with the cashiers signature on the
label of each bottle. guaranteeing its
purity.
The assessment of the Bank OF Eng
land has formed the subject Of COM
pIicated legal researches in recent years,
since the parish OF st. ChriStopher-le-
Stocks had raised its share from $4,000
to EJ0.OO0 year. Part Of the Bank OF
England is situated in that parish, but
the remaining portions are in the par
ishes OF St Margaret LOthbury and st,
BarthoIomew why by-the-ExChange its only
fellow -parishioner'' in the first OF the
three named parishes being the Royal
Exchange. part OF which is within the
boundary OF the parish. The whole as
Sessmelt has been raised from a total OF
GTS.OOO a year 10 GllOOOO. meaning an
increase of rates paid by the bank so far
of RlO.OO0 annually.
Having control of the paroChial ma
chnery. the bank heretofore assessed
itself at E2o.OoO in St. Christopher-le-
Stocks: but with the union OF parishes
act. now in operation, the corporation Of
London increased that assessment to
e5e.OOO a year. which means a further
increase in the other two parishes pro-
portionate to the enlarged valuation OF
the rate-paying buildings which have been
acquired in that vicinity by the mammoth
banking institution.
Two veteran brethren of the old Char
terhouse have passed away in London.
Jne OF Ineul. MT. IdllClS ESpllltsses
objected Sir Walter Scott Thomas Camp
bell. and Wordsworth; the other, DR.. W.
b. Kemshead, was a man Of considerable
scientific ability and an inventor of note
in Great Britain.
Mr.. Espinesse, who was eighty-nine
years Of age. was the son of a well known
French immigrant, who came TO Edin-
burgh about 17S9 He entered the British
Museum as an assistant in 1888, and dur
ing the ten years he remained there be-
came well acquainted with Carlyle. whom
he assisted in literary research in cOnnec-
tion with the editing OF the Letters and
Speeches OF Oliver Cromwell"
He also was on intinate terms with
George Henry Lewes. George Eliot. John
Forster, Lord Beaconsfield. and many
other men Of fame and letters. He him
self was a noted contributor to many
journals and the author OF books OF
sketches and recOllections.
He was one Of the oldest brethren Of
the Charterhouse and last year. as one
who knew Thackeray wen. was elected
to present a bsuquet OF flowers to Lady
Ritchie. when she attended the anniver-
sary celebration dinner at the Charter
house. Two CT his sisters are stilf living
at Edinburgh. FI-ANETB.
ycoIyhghi. 81. b. Court GO~ap sSrncAeal