THE BANK OF ENGLAND AND THE MINT.
HE Bank of England is the greatest moneyed institution in the world. It is situated in the very heart of the City of London, opposite the Royal Exchange and the Mansion House, and is composed of an insulated mass of stone buildings and courts covering four acres of ground, bounded by Princes's street, west; Lothbury, north; Bartholomew Lane, east; and Threadneedle street, south. Its exterior measurements are 365 feet south, 410 feet north, 245 feet east, and 440 feet west.
Within this area are nine open courts, a magnificent Rotunda, numerous public offices, court and committee rooms, an armory, engraving and printing offices, a library, apartments for officers' servants, beadles, detectives, porters, and messengers.
During the No-Popery riots of 1780, the Bank was attacked by the mob, when Wilkes rushed out of the building and seized some of the ringleaders. The Bank was defended by the regulars, the City Volunteers, and the Clerks of the establishment, who melted their leaden inkstands into bullets. For ninety years since that terrible night, the bank has been guarded by a company of foot soldiers, detailed in regular rotation from the Horse Guards, under command of one officer, for whom a sumptuous table is set every night, with the privilege of inviting two friends, while servants are provided for him.
THE BANK ESTABLISHED.
In the political tumult of November, 1830, provisions were made at the Bank for a state of siege, and when the Chartists made their great demonstrations in 1848, the roof of the Bank was fortified by a company of sappers and miners, cannon were planted, and a strong garrison held every court and passage in the interior.