222 ADDRESS TO THE [lect. 



derivation has been much disputed. Some have sup- 

 posed that the name was derived from coins having a 

 star on the obverse, but no coins which could have 

 given rise to such a name are known. The most 

 probable suggestion is that it has reference to the 

 Easterling, or North German merchants. 



Early English bankers seem to have been all gold- 

 smiths as well as bankers, and it is, perhaps, just worth 

 mentioning, that in my own firm as in several others, 

 we still use certain books which are specially known as 

 the " Goldsmiths." Sir Walter Bowes, a goldsmith of the 

 sixteenth century, is recorded by Herbert in the history 

 of the Goldsmiths' Company as having lent Henry VIII. 

 £300. Another great goldsmith of this period was Sir 

 T. Gresham, the founder of Gresham College and of the 

 Royal Exchange, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth 

 on January 23rd, 1570. Even Alderman Backwell, who 

 lost £295,994 16s. 6c?-. when the Exchequer was closed 

 by Charles II., was a retail jeweller, and Pepys records 

 on the 24th December, 1660 : "I went to chuse a payre 

 of candlesticks to be ready for me at Alderman Backe- 

 well's." Mr. Price, in his interesting paper on "Early 

 Goldsmiths and Bankers," gives several accounts current 

 appertaining to this period, and still in existence at 

 Messrs. Child's, including for instance one for Prince 

 Rupert for plate, dishes, candlesticks, &c. The oldest of 

 our existing banks are probably Messrs. Child's and 

 Messrs. Martin's. In the reign of Elizabeth there was 

 a goldsmith named John Wheeler, from whom the 

 business passed to William Wheeler, junior, and sub- 

 sequently into the hands of their apprentices, Messrs. 

 Blanchard and Child, whose names appear in the Little 



