1856.] on the Security and Manufacture of Bank Notes. 265 



number of the most eminent engravers were to endeavour to copy 

 each other, — there would be sufficient evidence on casual examination 

 to detect it. In a rivalship between them they might produce a 

 work of similar beauty and general effect, but the difference of 

 manner would be obvious to the commonest observer, and not only 

 would the forgery be discovered, but the hand that had executed it 

 would be identified. The eye of the Banking clerk, or the man of 

 business, would soon become expert at this kind of Fine- Art reading. 

 This was proved in the case of the Plymouth Bank half a century 

 ago; their bills were forged, — their notes were not, simply on account 

 of the vignette. When the vignette was added to the bills, the 

 forgeries ceased. 



Of the various methods of engraving, the choice more especially 

 lies between that of intaglio and surface-engraving j between steel 

 and copper-plate, or letter-press and wood-engraving ; of the two, 

 the first ranks pre-eminent, both for its beauty and adaptability to 

 the production of Bank Notes. Years ago, objections might have 

 been validly urged against this method. When the cost consequent 

 upon the engraving of plates as they wore out counterbalanced the 

 advantages gained, and moreover, the often changing the indi- 

 viduality expressed upon the production, negatived its highest 

 quaUty, the plan presented obstacles not easily surmounted in 

 extensive practice ; but now Science enables us to overcome the 

 impediment, and the Electrotype gives from one original an infinity 

 of reproduction, with Httle more than nominal outlay. 



With regard to letter-press or surface-engraving, its power is too 

 Umited in its effects to realise a high standard of artistic finish; 

 while even cheapness, combined with rapidity of production, is not 

 sufficient to counterbalance the absence of that continuous and 

 unalterable individuality which should be sought for as the distin- 

 guishing feature of the Bank Note. In stating this opinion, weight 

 of contrary evidence has to be contended against, inasmuch as the 

 Notes of the Bank of England, as also those of the Bank of France, 

 Bank of Belgium, and Bank of Russia, are printed from surface- 

 engraved plates : for the reasons assigned, such evidence cannot 

 comitervail the immeasurable superiority of intaglio engraving 

 for the main object desired, — namely, security. There is, however, 

 one application — and that of considerable magnitude — to which this 

 mode of printing has become of late more immediately applicable. 

 It is used in the case of receipt-stamps in this country, and in that 

 of postage-stamps in France. The main proposition on this subject 

 is, that the union of Art, in which this country has been deficient, 

 with Manufacture in which she is unrivalled (the vision of which is 

 dawning in the distance), would place England in advance of every 

 other nation. 



In the engraving of the Bank Note two principles are involved 



