Bank of England

Bank of England (the), Threadneedle Street. No one visiting or travelling through the City of London by bus or rail can fail to note the "bank," a term which is reiterated by so many of the conductors of the buses playing between any of the main thoroughfares.

It is probable that most people coming first in sight of it will be disappointed at its somewhat stunted appearance, being one storey high. It covers, however, an area of nearly four acres.

The Bank of England is the only bank in London which has the power of issuing its own notes; and it is probable that these notes are more largely distributed and more easily accepted than these issued by any other bank in the world.

The Bank transacts all business connected with the National Debt, and the dividends on Government Stock are all issued from there. It is governed by a Governor, a Deputy Governor, as a body of 24 Directors.

A guard of soldiers is garrisoned at night in the Bank for the protection of the huge wealth stored there. By special privilege visitors are admitted to the different departments of the Bank, where amongst other things they can see a million pound note! There are branches at Burlington Gardens and adjoining the Law Courts, and ha the principal cities.