It is a pleasant picture which he draws, and one that I love to look back upon. I think we all derived benefit from working together in that intimate and kindly manner; it made us strong and of one mind. Of course, I have grown quite accustomed to a much grander way of living; it is a sign of my prosperity and my usefulness, and I am thankful, but I am afraid if you came upon me unawares in my grand parlour you would find me with a sad sort of yearning for the early primitive simplicity and kindly feeling.
Many were the rules and regulations I was subject to in those early days, and even now, all powerful as I feel myself to be, I am still governed by them. They were irksome, but I never thought of rebelling, for I knew that their object was to give me a high position and keep me out of the way of temptation to meanness and dishonour.
One was that I must never trade in any wares, goods, or merchandise whatever.
Another, that I was never to borrow or owe more than the amount of my capital, and that if I ventured to disregard this command I should bring down punishment on the heads of those whose money had endowed me with my fortune.
Again, I was strictly forbidden to pay any dividend at any time save only out of this same capital or stock.
Yet one more, I was to lend no money to the Government without the consent of the Parliament, under a penalty of three times the sum lent, one-fifth of which was to go to the informer.
How little I thought that a strict adherence and submission to this early discipline would pave the way to a future in which my movements would influence the whole body of the public, my opinions and determinations affect all the markets of the world, and in which my one room would have extended itself beyond three acres of ground; but I must not get on too fast—you will see all this for yourselves as the years of my history roll on.
My early life was not without its cares and struggles which strained to the utmost the talents and energy of my household. I was but three years old when I was first attacked, not as you may think, by scarlet fever or measles, but by ill-treatment and cruel sarcasm.
A child, by name Land Bank, living at Exeter Change, not very far distant from Grocers’ Hall, was ridiculous enough to set up as my rival. Had she confined herself to fair play while striving to win from me public favour, I think I should rather have enjoyed it, but believing that all things were allowable in love and war, she descended to be spiteful, and being gifted with humour and wit she used them against me without mercy.
Papers were circulated in all directions with the one view of injuring me. You will be able to see them, as I have preserved copies—