268 Mr. Henry Bradbury [May 9, 



so wide a commercial circulating range, the complex note has 

 peculiar advantages ; the display of national emblems — ideal impress 

 — and intuitive recognition being here unnecessary ; one merit in 

 particular which it possesses, is that it is more available to represent 

 small amounts, and for circulation among the humbler classes ; for 

 an obvious reason, — the repetition of the amount represented, 

 affording to the holder a more continued appreciation of its value. 



Art being the principle of a simple note ; Mechanics, or engraving 

 by machinery, is that of a complex. This is performed in two 

 ways ; relief and medallion-work, guilloche or rose-engine-work. 

 The one represents models on flat surfaces : the other, lines, straight, 

 waved or curved, circles, ellipses, parallel or intersecting, resulting 

 in a particular effect. Different results are sought in the combi- 

 nations produced from such machines : some prefer figures to 

 appear white on black ; others prefer the reverse, the natural one, 

 black on white. The latter is free from the confusion presented in 

 the former ; its effect is more beautiful, and affords a much greater 

 degree of detection. 



In the instruments used for the execution of these designs, (being 

 the laboriously-perfected construction of F. J. Wagner, K.-H. 

 Mechanicus, of Berlin), the adjustment admits such variety, that 

 even allowing the forger to be possessed of a similar instrument, the 

 chances against hitting on the several requisites to produce any 

 particular pattern are infinite. It may admit of a doubt, whether 

 their very intricacy, and the want of any prominent part to impress 

 the attention, would not allow even a general resemblance to pass in 

 the hurry of business. It is possible, however, to combine even 

 within this intricacy of pattern and ornament an idea of that simplicity 

 and singleness of recognition above mentioned. 



This Note, for'consecutiveness of argument, is also dignified with 

 the name of the Bank of England. Even in this. Art may be made 

 to hold an important place ; for idea in design can be seen in 

 its impress, and thus almost the same, if not greater, from its 

 mechanical construction, amount of security may be guaranteed, 

 previously stated to have been the object of simplicity. It possesses 

 unity of parts and purposes in design which tell much against the 

 imitator. It is organised, as combining beauty with a business 

 appearance. This small and convenient note can be divided into 

 four parts for postal security. 



Its principle is essentially the same as that in the simple note — 

 having its own individuality. Too much ornamentation is apt to 

 bewilder, nay, misguide — too little is apt to abuse : but a proper 

 combination of a certain amount of elaborate mechanical work, 

 properly balanced to meet the effect of the design, will also combine 

 beauty with security, with hardly less facility of recognition. 



The feasibility of this has been lost sight of — in fact, it was not 

 formerly attainable — nor was it practicable until the Electrotype 



