73 
II. European Banxine. 
Mr. Marquis referred to the magnitude of the transactions of 
the Florentine Bankers who lent Edward III. of England 800,000 
marks at a time when a mark contained 50s. more than at the pres- 
ent day, and when the value of silver was quadruple what it is now. 
The Bank of Venice was founded 1157, but the Bank of Barcelona 
1401, was the first real Bank in the modern sense of the term. 
Its liabilities to the public were secured by City property. It 
discounted bills and allowed interest on deposits, but it knew 
nothing about notes or cheques. The paper then gave a short 
sketch of the principal Banks on the Continent, concluding with 
a not very favourable reference to the Imperial Bank of Russia. 
Ill. Eneuiso Banxine. 
The usurious practices of the Jews from the Norman Conquest 
to Edward I were referred to, also those of the Lombards who 
in their turn were banished in the reign of Elizabeth for usury. 
The early goldsmiths and the goldsmith-bankers were mentioned, 
amongst whom was Sir Thomas Gresham. The History of the 
transactions by which the Government of Charles II relieved 
itself from its financial difficulties, and the consequent loss to the 
Goldsmith-Bankers of London was given, also a history of the 
principal Goldsmith-Bankers. The sum of £664,263, being halt 
the original sum paid to the exchequer by them, and refunded in 
later years, forms the first item in our National Debt. Mention 
was made of all the principal private Bankers of London, the 
Bank of England, and the Savings Banks, and the paper con- 
cluded with a sketch of the Clearing House, which now turns 
over about £6,000,000,000 per annum. 
SHORT ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTIONS. 
October 27th, 1885. 
I. «ON SHAVING.” 
{nm this paper “‘ Experientia” related the story of his first shave, 
how though he had long withstood the temptation of commencing 
so troublesome a habit and exacting a custom, he in a weak 
moment yielded to the repeated solicitations of friends. The 
scenes enacted within the barber’s room were humorously de- 
scribed, and the writer dwelt upon the catalogue of disastrous 
results which followed the detestable practice he had been 
prevailed upon to adopt. 
