“There never was a body that contributed more to the public safety than the Bank of England, and who upon every emergency has cheerfully and readily supplied the necessities of the nation, and in many important conjunctions has relieved the nation out of the greatest difficulties, if not absolutely saved it from ruin.”
I may be excused for feeling proud, for I began to see that not only was I fulfilling my mission, but that the world was aware of it.
The work which occupied my early days was very complicated, although it fell far short of what I now perform. I will try and give you a little idea of how I spent my days.
Picture to yourselves my one room, with its directors, clerks, and secretaries each at his table or desk and ready for the special work allotted to him.
You want to know where I sat, I, the young and handsome girl. Well, I was everywhere, infusing life and energy and cheerfulness into all.
With clear head and accurate mind, I watched and verified every transaction, encouraging and helping all who came to me as far as it was possible, and giving my warnings gently where no help could be extended.
All is ready for business—it is early morning—and soon the door opens to admit a few at first who bring in their hands the peculiar sticks notched and written on, which were called tallies, and which I have explained to you in a previous part of my story. These people make their way up to a certain table and ask that money may be given them in exchange for the tallies.
This is readily granted for a certain consideration, provided the tally be correct—or may be, they desired to lodge the sticks with me. In any case I obliged them, and by my action I made tallies current payment in the land which, as my friend, Michael Godfrey, stated in his quaint pamphlet, “The country had long wish’t for,” and which certainly could not have been effected without me.
If you watch, you will see others passing into the room, bringing securities of many kinds and asking to borrow money upon them, which was readily granted, at much less interest than had ever been demanded before.
Others, who had confidence in me, came to ask that their money might be lodged with me, to which I assented, telling them that not only would we give them interest for the money so lodged with me, but that it would be as much at their disposal as though kept in their cash-box at home, and very much safer.