﻿50 PICTORIAL MISCELLANY. 



The Seven-Shilling Piece. 



IT was during the panic of 1826, that a gentleman whom we shall 

 call Mr. Thompson, was seated, with something of a melancholy 

 look, in his dreary back room, watching his clerks paying away 

 thousands of pounds hourly. Thompson was a banker of excellent 

 credit ; there existed perhaps in the city of London no safer concern 

 than that of Messrs. Thompson & Co. ; but at a moment such as 1 

 speak of no rational reflection was admitted, no former stability was 

 looked to ; a general distrust was felt, and every one rushed to his 

 banker's to withdraw his hoard, fearful that the next instant would 

 be too late, forgetting entirely that this step was that of all others 

 the most likely to insure the ruin he sought to avoid. 



But to return. The wealthy citizen sat gloomily watching the 

 outpouring of his gold, and with a grim smile listening to the clam- 

 orous demands on his cashier ; for although he felt perfectly easy 

 and secure as to the ultimate strength of his resources, yet he could 

 not suppress a feeling of bitterness as he saw constituent after con- 

 stituent rush in, and those whom he fondly imagined to be his dear- 

 est friends eagerly assisting in the run upon his strong box. 



Presently the door opened, and a stranger was ushered in, who, 

 after gazing for a moment at the bewildered banker, coolly drew a 

 chair, and abruptly addressed him : 



" You will pardon me, sir, for asking a strange question ; but I 

 arn a plain man, and like to come straight to the point." 



: ' Well, sir ? " impatiently interrupted the banker. 



" I have heard that you have a run on your bank, sir." 



" Well ? " 



" Is it true ? " 



" Really, sir, I must decline replying to your very extraordinary- 

 query. If, however, you have any money in the bank, you had bet- 

 ter at once draw it out ; and to satisfy yourself, our cashier will in- 

 stantly pay you," and the banker rose, as a hint for the stranger to 

 withdraw. 



" Far from it, sir ; I have not one sixpence in your hands." 



" Then may I ask what is your business here ? " 



" I wished to know if a small sum would aid you at this moment." 



