The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1891-11-12 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

BERLIN BANK FAILURES. OIIIOIDE OF A MANAGER.  The immense excitement caused by the recent col. lapse of the Banking House of Hirschfield and Wolff was increased to an almost incredible degree by the news, which ran through Berlin like wildfire at about two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, to the effect that the two brothers Sommerfeld,of the banking firm of Hermann Friedlander and Sommerfeld, had attempted to commit suicide by shooting themselves. The younger brother died at five o'clock, without having recovered consciousness. The other brother is in imminent danger, as the bullet lodged in the brain, but it is possible that he will be saved, as several similar cases have been successfully treated here of late. The third partner, Herr Friedlander, has been in Italy for months past owing to severe illness, and knew nothing of the state of affairs at the bank. The younger Summerfeld understood nothing of banking, and was taken into the firm only about three years ago, after his marriage to a young lady, whose dowry amounted to half a million marks (twenty - five thousand pounds). The dowry of the elder brother's wife was more than three hundred thousand marks (fifteen thousand pounds). The two brothers belonged to a wealthy family. Their father had an embroidery and tapestry business, once the first of its kind in Berlin, and the most important exporting house in that trade. The firm of Sommerfield and Friedlander was founded in 1873, after the tremendous financial crash which convulsed Berlin and Vienna, earlier in that year. The bank was very prosperous at first, owing to numerous successful transactions in the promotion of companies. The largest profits, however, could not suffice to cover the extravagant expenditure of the elder Sommerfeld, and a collapse sooner or later was predicted. The news of the suicides produced a regular panic on 'Change on Saturday. It is feared, and, unhappily, apparently with only too good reason, that the recent Berlin failures are only the symptoms of an approaching crisis, perhaps even more ruinous than that of 1873. The eagerness to make money fast, no matter how, has already infected whole strata of society which, in the '73 crisis, were free from it. Moreover, the commercial depression prevailing almost all over Germany is greater than leading merchants, the heads of firms of thirty or more years' standing, have experienced. The orders for Christmas are far below the average, and many of the leading retail establishments are in deep waters. News of similar commercial depression in France, Italy, and Russia is constantly arriving.  With a view to extend the hospitality for which he is noted, the Duke of Fife (says Vanity Fair) has given orders to have the accommodation for the guests at Mar Lodge nearly doubled. The work is to be commenced forthwith, and it will be continued throughout the winter, so that the Lodge may be in perfect readiness by next season. The Archdeacon of Dromore, the Rev. Francis King, D.D., died at his residence in Newry on Saturday evening. He was the oldest clergyman in the Irish Church. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Victoria Mary of Teck and Lady Ampthill, drove to Braemar on Saturday afternoon. From Braemar her Majesty prxectled to Mar Lodge, the Linn of Dee, and on to Glen Derry. Laid. Unilogitu's visit to York has bsen from November 24 till Tuesday, December 8, on which day he will address a meeting of Unionists in that city.  Admiral Beranger, Spanish Minist:T of Marini:, has fought a duel near Madrid with a journalist, your shots were exchaugetl,h4 laeitliez Pi tin POP ba4ats Toro Witired•  Vottro.