266 Mr, Henry Bradbury [May 9, 



for consideration: first, the simplicity of its design, the purity of 

 which is the gauge of its perfection; secondly, the combination of 

 vignette-work with intricate engine-work: both these principles 

 possess high claims to the attention of Banking authorities as 

 security against forgery — the one on account of the difficulty of 

 mechanical imitation — the other on the principle of the certainty of 

 a first-sight recognition. Simplicity of design, when it amounts to 

 the character of high-class Art, is much the best with regard to the 

 issue of National Notes. Anything which addresses the mind is 

 more clearly distinguishable than that which addresses the eye — 

 and where variety of pattern and freaks of ornament distract the 

 attention, it is put more within the field of the imitator than when 

 he has to contend with an ideality — for which neither his education 

 nor his pursuits are likely to fit him. 



By way of illustrating this principle an imaginary Note of the 

 Bank of England is here submitted, because that establishment 

 stands proudly and preeminently at the head of the- monetary 

 transactions of the whole world, and because its Notes are more 

 familiar. 



The Note is as simple as a National Note can safely be. * Its 

 attributes are individual unity, if not beauty; simple and salient 

 features, with due prominency of numerical value. The general 

 character has a sort of medieval cast — it has been chosen, partly 

 because it is totally different from the cursive style in common use, 

 and is also in accordance with the revival of that style in the 

 present day. 



The national characteristics are boldly expressed and displayed: 

 attempt has been made to extend the artistic ideality of the Vignette 

 — which is emblematic of the Nation — to the whole production. 

 Breadth of design and unity of purpose have been sought for. Care 

 has been taken in the introduction of the ornamentation, that it 

 should not assume a position so prominent as to weaken the artistic 

 effect, but rather serve as an auxiliary to Art. An additional and 

 novel feature is thus conferred upon the writing, and all the points 

 (and this should be borne in mind) subserving their particular 

 purposes, contribute to the general harmony of the whole. 

 Objections may be raised, that it is too architecturally bold — too 

 florid in display — but it appears self-evident, that the nobler the 

 character of a Note, the less it would enter into the comprehension 

 of the forger — and even if some were not sensible of the difference 

 between a fine original and a bad copy, that is no reason why others 

 of better judgment should be precluded. 



The Bank of England Note has always been characterised by 

 simplicity, but carried to an extreme in the opposite direction, the 

 same general design having been preserved from the issue of their 

 first note. The objection is, that its simplicity is too simple, — not 

 bearing upon the face of it those features which characterise the 



