4 MR. HENRY PAD WICK 



politicians, noblemen, minors, and the owners of ancestral 

 but encumbered estates, as is Capel Court to City men 

 who must have the excitement of gambling in some form 

 the danger of which, I may add, Mr. Padwick, astute 

 as he was, learned to his sorrow at one period of his life. 

 As a money-lender Mr. Padwick had, I need scarcely 

 say, many more customers than he chose, or indeed was 

 able to supply, despite the large resources at his back ; 

 for he worked other capital besides his own. From 

 Messrs. Hill and Gully, when the latter had money, 

 and from sundry private banking firms and joint- stock 

 banks, both town and country, he received liberal sup- 

 plies. To these the 10 per cent, which Padwick could 

 afford to pay was an irresistible bait when money was 

 at 1 or 1 per cent. ; not that it is to be supposed the 

 money was advanced without ample security in the shape 

 of deposit of mortgage- deeds, or at least bills with the 

 endorsement of approved names. His thoroughly busi- 

 ness-like habits soon won him the confidence of these 

 capitalists, so that he could from one source or another 

 command an unlimited supply of the precious metal. 

 His success led to an early move from Davis Street, to 

 a more pretentious abode, No. 2, Hill Street, Berkeley 

 Square a house he resided in until his death. 



In his home Mr. Padwick lived luxuriously. He was 

 particular in his selection of a chef, and his table was 

 almost burdened with every delicacy of the season that 

 money could purchase. He set up also as a gourmet ; 

 and indeed his taste in wine was excellent, and his 

 cellar expensively, if not extravagantly, supplied with 

 the choicest vintages. Of this custom I ought to have a 

 grateful recollection, for he once made me a present of 

 some 1820 port, and of some madeira that had been 

 to Calcutta and back twice. I do not pretend to be 



