Through the Years

Tales from the Hoare’s Bank Archive Volume Two

[ I ] Through the Years Tales from the Hoare’s Bank Archive Volume Two

[ II ] Pamela Hunter

THROUGH THE YEARS Tales from the Hoare’s Bank Archive Volume Two

C. Hoare & Co. LONDON · MMXVIII Contents

Foreword Simon M. Hoare 7 17 Settlement on the marriage of Richard Colt 33 Festival of the City of London events Hoare and Hon Hester Lyttelton, 1783 40 programme, 1962 82 1 Memo relating to Lord Byron’s loan application, 1813 10 18 Admittance ticket for a Sermon in aid of the 34 ‘Bradbury’ note, 1914 84 Hospitals for the Small Pox and Inoculation, 2 Subscription for Sufferers in the North Seas, 35 Proclamation by Field Marshal Wade, 1745 87 1775 44 1812–14 12 36 Mitcham, Morden & Merton Savings’ Bank 19 Medal commemorating Edward VII’s 3 Gold touch-piece, 1702–14 14 customer account, 1819 90 Coronation visit to the City of London, 37 Richard Hoare’s ‘New Masheen Charet’, 4 Charles Whitley’s Fidelity Bond, 1849 15 1902 46 1732 93 5 Photograph of Frederick Alfred Hoare, 20 Photograph of the Computer Room at 38 Raincliff homestead near Timaru, New Zealand, Lord Mayor of London, 1961 16 37 Fleet Street, 1977 48 c.1890 96 6 Primrose League diploma awarded to Sir Henry 21 Request for a ticket to Boodle’s fête, 1789 50 39 Letter by Harry Hoare written at Mena House, Ainslie Hoare Bt, 1892 18 22 Harry Hoare’s Pocket Game Register, 1887 52 Cairo, 1893 100

7 View of Stourhead garden by Francis Nicholson, 23 Subscription for Sir Walter Scott’s Testimonial, 40 Subscription for the Spitalfields Soup Society, 19th century 20 1832–33 55 1838 103

8 Photograph of Hoare’s Bank on Diamond 24 Account of diamonds sent to Philip Masson 41 Portrait of Henry Hoare jnr by unknown artist, Jubilee Day, 1897 22 at Paris, 1713 58 c.1775 106

9 Royal Toxophilite Society loan account, 25 Letter by Captain Robert FitzRoy of 42 A Calculation of the Great Eclipse of the Sun 1835–36 24 hms Beagle, 1833 60 by William Whiston, 1715 110

10 Sketch for principal elevation of proposed new 26 Photograph of the Eton Ramblers cricket team, 43 Chelsea Election: The Final Contest, 1868 112 banking house by Charles Parker, 1827 26 1912 63 44 Subscription for the Relief of the Sufferers at Waterloo, 1815 115 11 Photograph of the restored façade at 27 Notice relating to King George’s Public Entry 40–43 Fleet Street, 2012 28 into London, 1714 66 45 Receipt note signed by Richard Hoare, 1671 118 12 Letter describing a fire at the Palace of 28 Articles of Partnership for Messrs Hoare Westminster, 1834 30 & Arnold, 1732 69 46 Log book for Yacht Surprise, 1878 121

13 Drawing of Neath Abbey by Sir Richard Colt 29 Subscription for Sufferers at Sidmouth 47 Cheque form marked ‘M’ for Metropolitan, Hoare Bt, 1802 32 by Storm, 1824 72 [1931] 124

14 Advertisement for Staff Restaurants Ltd, 30 Signature of Sir John Goodricke Bt, 1771 74 48 Subscription Fund for the Circassians, 1950s 34 1864 127 31 Portrait of Lady Frances Elizabeth Bruce 15 Surrey Iron Railway Co. share certificate, by William Hoare RA, c.1775 76 Who’s Who at Hoare’s Bank 131 1806 36 32 Caroline Hoare’s journal, describing a train Sources and Abbreviations 132 16 Jane Austen’s bank account, 1816–17 38 crash at Staplehurst, 1865 79 References 133 Foreword

Hoare’s Bank has been part of my family’s life risk of fraud. Our enduring philanthropic for nearly 350 years, and as Chairman of the links are also highlighted through some of Museum Committee it is my task to ensure the many subscription accounts opened at that such a long and illustrious history is both Hoare’s over the centuries. preserved and celebrated. To that end, I was Reading Through the Years has sharpened delighted to oversee the compilation of this my awareness of just how unique an second volume of Through the Years: Tales from institution Hoare’s Bank is. It also reaffirms the Hoare’s Bank Archive. how important it is for us to continue Like Through the Years volume one, this adapting to the needs of an ever-changing new collection of tales – 48 in total – explores world without losing sight of the values that the stories behind individual items within have underpinned the bank’s success to date. our historical collections. Reading them I’m Thankfully, however, to paraphrase another reminded once more of the bank’s longevity. erstwhile customer, ‘in essentials I believe Founder Richard Hoare, my eight times Hoare’s is very much what it ever was.’ great grandfather, started his apprenticeship The bank’s 350th anniversary in 2022, in 1665, just days before Pepys noted the and the years and decades beyond it, will plague’s arrival in London and a year before I trust give rise to many more tales. In the the Great Fire devastated much of the city. meantime, I hope you will enjoy these I’m equally struck by the bank’s resilience: glimpses into our past as much as I have. wars, economic highs and lows, political Simon M. Hoare turmoil, even ‘regime change’ – Hoare’s has August 2018 weathered them all. Some of the articles included here shed light on the bank’s working life: the daily routine of our ‘Walk Clerks’ during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, for example, or the installation of our first computer in the 1970s. The former remained unaltered for 150 years, but the latter illustrates just how fast the pace of change has been in a mere fifty. That first computer took up an entire room, boasted an absurdly small memory and necessitated the introduction of customer account numbers and personalised cheque books. Quite an upheaval. Other articles portray events or aspects of life that at first glance seem far removed from the world of banking. Yet the traits they embody – humour, intrigue, tragedy, the twists and turns of fate – are both universal and timeless. Needless to say, our customers have been at the heart of Hoare’s Bank since its inception. This book begins by exploring the bank’s connection with a particularly colourful one: poet Lord Byron. Later we learn about HMS Beagle’s epic voyage from her Captain, Robert FitzRoy, and discover how the bank sought to protect its eighteenth century customers from the ever-present

[ 7 ] C. Hoare & Co.’s banking house at 37 Fleet Street, London Watercolour by Luke Piper, 2009 1 Memo relating to Lord Byron’s loan application, 1813 Unsurprisingly, Byron’s lawyer was soon exploring the possibility of a bank loan. Byron’s first great narrative poem,Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, was published in March 1812. The Partners’ memoranda book noted in So immediate was its success that Byron ‘awoke one morning and found myself famous.’ Months June 1813 ‘Mr Hanson Junr applies for Two or Three Thousand Pounds for Lord later the poet opened an account at Hoare’s Bank. Although of short duration – four years – Byron … The Purchaser of the Estate that this account covered a tumultuous period in Byron’s life. His Lordship has lately sold, is Tardy in completing the Contract, and in consequence a Bill in Chancery is about to be filed to compel Him to proceed. And which Mr Hanson thinks may be decided in less than George Gordon Byron was born in 1788, the poem that was to become Childe Harold’s subsequent works including The Giaour(1813), six mo[nths] when we should be reimbursed son of a spendthrift army captain known Pilgrimage (Cantos I & II). Regarded by The Bride of Abydos(1813) and The Corsair(1814), the Sum.’1 The Hoares, though, remained as ‘Mad Jack’ Byron and a Scottish heiress, many as semi-autobiographical, a notion which between them sold tens of thousands of unconvinced. ‘Mr Hanson was told that we Catherine Gordon. At the age of ten he Byron later was keen to dispel, Childe Harold’s copies, Byron’s finances remained chaotic, a could not consistently with our Regulations succeeded his great-uncle as 6th Baron Byron Pilgrimage vividly described the adventures of situation exacerbated by his cavalier attitude advance the money.’ of Rochdale. The title though came with few a young would-be pilgrim knight who, fed up towards money. The copyright to Childe Byron’s biggest asset was Newstead Abbey, material benefits; the accompanying estates with the pleasures and excesses of his early Harold’s Pilgrimage was given away to a friend the Nottinghamshire estate he had inherited were mired in debt and there was little ready life, sought fulfilment through reflection and and large sums he could ill afford to spare used with his title back in 1798. At first Byron cash. Byron’s first collection of poems, Hours foreign travel. And in Childe Harold himself, to assist family members, fellow writers and an was determined to retain Newstead, but it of Idleness (1807), published when he was just Byron created a new kind of fictional hero – assortment of political causes. By 1815 Byron yielded little income and the huge mansion nineteen years old, was not well received, moody, mysterious, charismatic, imperfect calculated that he owed £30,000. The bank’s was crumbling into ruin. Eventually Byron although his next work, English Bards and – that persists down to the present day. ledgers hint at the endless juggling required to had to bow to the inevitable and in 1812 Scotch Reviewers (1809), fared better. The first edition of Childe Harold’s reconcile the conflicting demands of friends, Newstead was put up for sale. An offer of Shortly after the latter’s appearance, Pilgrimage sold out in three days and Byron’s servants, tradesmen and moneylenders. One £140,000 from solicitor and MP Thomas Byron embarked on a two-year tour of publisher, John Murray, was quick to cash of the more significant entries, £4,804–12–4 Claughton seemed the ideal solution; it southern Europe, visiting Portugal, Spain, in on his latest star, bringing out four paid to Scrope Davies in March 1814, marked would clear Byron’s debts and furnish him Malta, Albania and Greece. During his further editions that year and another five the final settlement of a loan used to fund with a handsome income besides. Claughton travels he began writing the long narrative by 1815. But despite its success, and that of Byron’s travels back in 1809–11. pledged to pay £20,000 by the end of 1812 and a further £60,000 by 1815, at which time the remaining balance would be converted into an interest-paying mortgage. The very first entry in Byron’s account at Hoare’s was a deposit of £5,000 by Claughton on 31st October 1812. But, as Hanson complained, Claughton was tardy in honouring the contract. The remaining £15,000 of the initial £20,000 only reached Byron’s account in July 1813, shortly after Hanson’s unsuccessful loan application, and little of the promised £60,000 was ever forthcoming. Portrait of George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, by Richard Westall, 1813 After protracted wrangling, the sale finally NPG 4243 © National Portrait Gallery, London fell through. Claughton forfeited his deposit and Newstead remained unsold until 1818. had collapsed. Annabella returned to her independence. Months later, aged 36, he died The difficulties brought on by his failure parents with her newborn daughter and Byron of fever at Missolonghi. ‘Thus,’ declared the to sell Newstead were compounded by saw neither of them again. Gentleman’s Magazine, ‘has perished in the Byron’s marriage to Annabella Milbanke, In April 1816, with rumours about his flower of his age, in the noblest of causes, one daughter of Sir Ralph Milbanke Bt, in private life undiminished and his creditors of the greatest poets England ever produced.’2 January 1815. Initially, Byron offered to pressing ever harder, Byron quit London for Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage remained hugely put £60,000 into the marriage settlement, the Continent. The final three debits from his popular after Byron’s death. J.M.W. Turner’s while Sir Ralph agreed to provide a further Hoare’s account (£377–5–11 between October painting, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage – Italy, £20,000. But with Newstead unsold and Sir and December 1816) were made out to the was exhibited in 1832; Hector Berlioz’s Ralph suffering his own financial reverses, Swiss banking firm of Hentsch & Co. After symphonic Harold En Italie received its the settlement was never completed. As a summering at Lake Geneva with fellow poet premiere two years later. The influential art result, Byron’s financial woes went from bad Shelley, Byron moved on to Italy. There he critic John Ruskin, meanwhile, confessed to to worse, so much so that the bailiffs were wrote two further instalments of Childe Harold’s following in Childe Harold’s footsteps during known to have knocked at his door on more Pilgrimage, for which he was paid a reputed a tour of Switzerland. Nor was he alone. than one occasion. Sir Ralph eventually paid 2,000 guineas, as well as Manfred(1817), Henry Hoare (Staplehurst)’s diary for 1836 £5,200 into Byron’s account in December Beppo (1818) and much of the epic Don Juan reveals that he and his wife read Childe Harold’s 1815, nearly a year after the wedding. By that (1819–24). Then in 1823 Byron sailed to Greece, Pilgrimage aloud to each other during their time, however, the marriage, never happy, intent on joining that country’s struggle for Tyrolean honeymoon.

[ 10 ] [ 11 ] 2 Subscription for Sufferers in the North Seas, 1812–14 Over the next couple of months By May 1812, those charged with organising submit a claim on their behalf. But, they were subscriptions were received from across the subscription felt confident enough to reminded, all submissions must include a letter In February 1812 a subscription account was opened at Hoare’s Bank ‘For the Sufferers in the North Seas.’ Britain and beyond. Some boasted obvious announce that ‘the liberal attention which has from a minister, churchwarden or overseer Over the next two years it raised £35,440–3–2½. But why was such an account necessary? The answer lies in seafaring connections. The fishing town of been given by the Public and by the Naval and confirming that the applicant resided in their Peterhead gave £53, Leith’s merchants and Military Service to this unexampled Calamity parish, had been in regular receipt of money one of Britain’s biggest naval tragedies. shipbuilders £205–17–6. But many others, and Distress, enables the Committee thus early from the Navy Pay Office and was now in need such as the Order of the Friendly Brothers to state, that the subscriptions already received and ‘deserving’ of the relief on offer. of St Patrick, whose fundraising dinner at [nearly £7,000], and the contributions from No new applications for relief were the British Coffee House, Cockspur Street, the Navy, Army, and many of the principal considered after August 1813. But the yielded ten guineas, were motivated by pity Towns, of which they have information, and subscription account at Hoare’s remained or patriotism. The account at Hoare’s Bank expect are in course of remittance, are together open for another year. In total, the bank By 1811 Britain was in the grip of the George incapable of changing course, despite audience.’2 Before long, however, there were reflected both, including as it did donations considered by them to be sufficient for the received over £35,000, some of which was Napoleonic Wars. Her Royal Navy had the frantic efforts of her crew. calls for a larger, London-based subscription from Admiral Lord Gambier (£21), Plymouth humane purposes of relief intended by this converted into Exchequer Bills until required. expanded five-fold, but keeping such As Christmas Day dawned several to be set in train, especially after it emerged Dockyard (£506–7–3), the crew of the Furieuse Subscription.’5 Any widows or dependents The final entry, dated 24th March 1814, reveals an ­enormous force battle-ready proved hundred men could be seen clinging to a that the Patriotic Fund, set up in 1803 partly (£35–16–7), the Archbishop of Dublin’s who had not yet applied for relief were urged to that the remaining balance (£481–5–6) was ­challenging. A French trade embargo meant large piece of the wrecked St George. Both to help servicemen’s widows and children, widow (£5) and ‘A Family of Young Folks do so, either by contacting the subscription’s donated to the Naval Charitable Trust, known that vital supplies of timber, hemp, tar and she and Defence had run aground off Jutland. was powerless to act; its remit only extended (Kensington)’ (£1–1–0). secretary or engaging a local official to today as the Royal Naval Benevolent Society. grain had to be imported from as far north But the weather was so ferocious it was to the families of men killed in active combat. as Sweden and Russia. But these Baltic and impossible to reach them and after a few In response to this demand, a meeting North Sea routes were fraught with danger. agonising hours they disappeared beneath of bankers and merchants was convened Danish privateers stalked the seas and the the waves. Only twelve of the 850 men on at Lloyd’s Coffee House on 6th February region’s capricious weather meant that board made it ashore. Admiral Reynolds, 1812. After several hours of discussion they violent storms flared up with little warning. recognising the hopelessness of the situation, concluded that ‘deeply impressed with the To mitigate the risks, therefore, the govern- was said to have thrown himself into the sea magnitude of the calamity, which has been ment decreed that all merchant shipping in despair. Defence’s fate was no less grim; attended with a loss of lives much exceeding should travel in convoys escorted by Royal all but six of her 560 men were lost. And the number lost in either of the great battles Navy warships. although Grasshopper and Hero managed to of the Nile, Copenhagen or Trafalgar, [we] So it came about that on 9th November negotiate their way past Jutland, neither recommend that a subscription be now 1811 a convoy of about 150 heavily laden made it to safety. Hero was wrecked off the opened for raising a sum of money for merchant ships set out from Hanø Bay, coast of Holland, with the loss of nearly 550 the relief of widows and families of the Sweden, accompanied by three ships of the lives. Grasshopper fell prey to the Dutch navy deceased.’3 Soon afterwards the subscription line – St George (98 guns), Defence (74 guns) and her crew marched 400 miles to Verdun, was extended to include the families of and Cressy (74 guns) – under the overall where they were imprisoned for the next those on board the Suldanha, wrecked off command of Admiral Robert Reynolds. three years. Co. Donegal on 4th December 1811, and Just six days into the voyage, however, When news of the tragedy reached the Fancy, which had foundered in the the fleet met with a mighty tempest that London, it was greeted with horror. An Baltic a week later. Donations could be paid wrecked about thirty merchant ships and left armed cutter was dispatched under a flag into Lloyd’s Coffee House or any London Reynolds’s flagship St George rudderless. The of truce to establish the exact truth of the bank and a Committee of twenty-one men, crippled vessel was towed to Gothenburg matter and both the ships’ seaworthiness and including bank Partner William Henry Hoare and the entire party forced to wait while the Admiral Reynolds’s orders were queried in and several members of the Patriotic Fund’s necessary repairs were carried out. the House of Commons. In the end, however, ruling Committee, was appointed to promote By 17th December the convoy, bolstered Parliament concluded ‘it was clear that there and manage the subscription. by four additional warships, Hero (74 guns), was no blame attachable anywhere, and Despite these good intentions the initial Prince William (64 guns), Egeria (26 guns) that the unhappy result arose from causes response was disappointing, perhaps because and Grasshopper (18 guns), was ready to over which human wisdom or efforts had no there were so many worthy causes vying for depart once more. But after being beaten control.’1 attention. The Battle of Badajoz, for example, back by yet another violent storm Reynolds Once the initial horror had subsided, one of the bloodiest encounters of the made the fateful decision to split the convoy. attention turned to the families of those period, had left several thousand men dead Egeria and Prince William were charged with who had perished. Local subscriptions and provoked a spate of donations to the shepherding part of the convoy to Scotland were instigated up and down the country, Patriotic Fund. In a bid to galvanise support or the Humber; the remaining ships were particularly in communities with strong for the North Sea disaster fund, therefore, ordered back to Gothenburg. Unrelenting maritime ties. An appeal at Great Yarmouth the Royal Cornwall Gazette agreed to publish gales, however, meant the latter made little was supported by its many resident naval an impassioned plea by ‘A True Friend of the headway. On 23rd December Cressy’s captain, officers and shipowners, while Portsmouth’s Navy’. ‘If we open our arms to rescue from fearing they were too near the shore, ordered officers and crews agreed to donate two poverty and disgrace, the wives and children his ship further out to sea. At the subsequent days’ wages. Not to be outdone, Plymouth’s of those who have sunk into a watery grave, inquiry he stated that he had waited as long citizens flocked to a benefit night at the or whose valour has consigned them to a as he dared for an order from the St George Theatre Royal, where the Royal Marines grave of honour; we may then hope that we before concluding that Admiral Reynolds Band performed ‘several pathetic tunes and have fulfilled the injunction of the dying Hero had seen no need to change course. Little did airs appropriate to the occasion, which drew [Nelson], and humbly trust that “we have he realise that severe mast damage had left St many a pearly tear from the fair part of the done our duty”.’4

[ 12 ] [ 13 ] 3 Gold touch-piece, 1702–14 4 Charles Whitley’s Fidelity Bond, 1849 Touch-pieces were introduced to England by Edward the Confessor (1042–66), who ‘Mr Whitley having applied to Messrs Hoare for their kind Consideration of his Son’s Admission was widely believed to possess healing powers. Over the next 650 years, his successors into their Service and a New Clerk being desirable if not quite necessary on the Increase of our presided over countless healing ceremonies, touching the sick before presenting them Business as well as the advanced Age of some of ye Senior clerks, coupled with Mr Whitley’s with specially minted coins or touch-pieces. Threaded on to white silk and worn next assiduous attention & constant Devotion to our Interest for [25] years … the Senior Partner is to the skin, these coins held out the hope of continued protection against disease. very glad to serve Mr Whitley & engage his son.’1

At first the monarchs’ healing powers were they had to submit themselves to a thorough When recruiting a new clerk, the Hoares essential, for there could be no ambiguity regarded as a general cure-all. But over time examination by the King’s physicians. Only looked for several things. Firstly, applicants within the ledgers. The phrase ‘writes a they came to be associated with one disease in when they were satisfied was the sufferer generally had to be over twenty-one and good clear hand’ frequently appeared in the particular: scrofula. Scrofula, or the ‘King’s granted an admission ticket. Not that these have spent several years at another London Partners’ notes on potential clerks, alongside Evil’, was a form of tuberculosis that attacked measures were entirely successful. John banking house. ‘Your Raw & untried are comments on composition and other the lymph nodes. Although few people died Evelyn, who attended a healing ceremony not pleasant,’ wrote one of the Partners desirable skills such as languages. from scrofula, its symptoms – swellings and in 1684, observed ‘there was so great a in 1802, ‘they lack the knowledge & habit Once admitted, each clerk had to lodge a suppurating ulcers on the neck – caused concourse of people with their children to of business.’2 Equally important, though, surety of £1,000 (ten times a junior clerk’s considerable distress amongst sufferers, be touched for the evil, that six or seven were character and background. Those basic salary). Until the mid 1800s this took many of whom were young children. were crushed to death by pressing at the accepted on to the staff in the mid nineteenth the form of a handwritten Fidelity Bond Early touch-pieces were probably silver chirurgeon’s door for tickets.’ century included Felix Knyvett, son of the signed by two or three guarantors, usually pennies or groats. But in 1465 specially Although the healing ceremony was Archbishop of Canterbury’s secretary, and relatives. Guarantors became security for minted gold Nobles worth up to 11s were revived in the 1660s, the Angel was not; Charles Henry Erskine, nephew of the the clerk’s ‘Fidelity and good behaviour in introduced. Popular from the outset, they instead, specially minted medals known as Earl of Mar. Unsurprisingly, prospective manner,’ while the clerk himself promised to soon became known as Angels. The front of touch-pieces were introduced. Somewhat candidates’ references bristled with assur- ‘faithfully and diligently serve [the Partners] each Angel portrayed the Archangel Michael, larger than Angels, touch-pieces still ances of their integrity. One was described according to the best and utmost of his power himself a noted healer, slaying a dragon, depicted Michael slaying the dragon, but as ‘a highly respectable and trustworthy skill and knowledge … not lose embezzle while the reverse was illustrated with a were engraved with a new inscription, “Soli young man, [with] correct and gentlemanly purloin consume misspend or unlawfully ship, its mast in the form of a cross, and an Deo Gloria” (To God alone the Glory). As in habits.’ Another had been ‘brought up in make away with detain or keep any Money inscription, “By thy Cross, save us Redeemer former times, recipients were urged to wear the society and the ideas of a gentleman … … or other things whatsoever that shall Christ”. So popular did the Angel become their touch-pieces continually, ostensibly I know an Eton man [ie Henry Hoare] will be entrusted to him … nor make any false holiday entitlement twice that offered that inns and public houses all over the to stop the disease returning, but in reality appreciate the gentleman in all positions in or fraudulent entry or entries in any Book by most other banks. A steady stream of country were named after it. to discourage people from selling them. life.’ As banks traded on their reputations, the or Books of Accounts or do or commit or unsolicited applications therefore made their By Tudor times the healing ceremony had There was a brisk trade in both Angels and respectability and steadiness of their clerks willingly permit … aid assist or connive at or way to Fleet Street and any vacancies that acquired much greater significance, even touch-pieces over the centuries as recipients was critical, although not everyone appreci- conceal any fraud deceit act matter or thing arose were keenly contested. its own liturgy. And although the custom looked to cash in by selling them on to others ated this. One man, applying (unsuccessfully) whereby any loss detriment or damage may With such stringent precautions in place, was viewed with ambivalence by the early desperate to partake of their perceived in 1822 on behalf of his nephew, merely happen or arise … [to the Partners] or any the Hoares seldom had to claim a surety. Stuarts and abolished altogether during benefits. stated that the young man was ‘very desirous of their … Goods Chattels or Effects Fame The most notorious instance occurred in the Interregnum, Charles II had no qualms Healing ceremonies finally came to an of being initiated into the art of money-mak- Reputation Credit.’5 Sureties were designed 1825, after William Christmas was convicted about reintroducing it immediately after his end with Queen Anne’s death in 1714. One of ing, having already though young found out to reduce the bank’s exposure to financial of embezzling £1,000 in Exchequer Bills. restoration in 1660. Diarist Samuel Pepys the last people to be touched was the future the way of spending it.’3 crime, although the main concern behind Ironically, Christmas had been dismissed for went to the Banqueting House in April 1661 author and lexicologist Samuel Johnson. In Most of those seeking clerkships were the such an eventuality was the unwelcome his lifestyle. ‘It is highly improper & I may ‘and there saw the King Heal, the first time 1712, at the age of two, Johnson was given sons, nephews or brothers of bank clerks, a publicity it would generate rather than any say disgraceful to us to have our Names that ever I saw him do it – which he did with his medal by ‘a lady dressed in diamonds point borne out by Jesse Nye’s application, monetary loss. mentioned as having in our House a Clerk great gravity; and it seemed to me to be an and a long black hood.’ Tellingly, despite its submitted in 1863. ‘Permit me to say that I To safeguard the bank’s good reputation connected with an Actress,’ huffed the Senior ugly office and a simple one.’ negligible effect on his scrofula, Johnson have been seven years at Messrs Halletts’ still further, the clerks’ day to day lives were Partner, Henry Hoare.7 The embezzlement An estimated 100,000 people would be wore his touch-piece for the rest of his life. with my father and elder brother, and have governed by a series of rules and regulations. only came to light a month later, at which touched by Charles II during the course of Today the association between money and another brother at Messrs Coutts’ and a A dress code of white shirts, black coats and time Christmas’s father, a Bank of England his twenty-five year reign. But concern over good luck lingers on. Coin-speckled wishing third in the Bank of England.’ Others were waistcoats was strictly enforced. Beards were clerk, was called upon to honour the the sheer number of applicants clamouring to wells and fountains can be found the world recommended by business contacts, lawyers forbidden and all clerks warned that they £1,000 surety. be healed, as well as fears that some of them over. Gamblers hail American ‘Mercury’ or customers. But the safest option was to must ‘conduct no business outside the bank By 1900 Fidelity Bonds had given way were merely fraudsters intent on pocketing dimes as lucky charms, cooks stir sixpences take on someone whose relative already except in top hats.’ Furthermore, ‘No Clerk to Assurance Bonds. William Albert Dodd, a piece of gold, forced Charles’s officials into Christmas puddings and brides are worked at Hoare’s. Charles Whitley would be is to get into debt, or overdraw his accounts who joined Hoare’s Bank in 1903, typified to introduce a formal application process. exhorted to wear ‘something old, something just one of several sons or nephews of serving and Juniors living in the house are required to this new system, lodging his security with From 1662, anyone hoping to be healed new, something borrowed, something blue, clerks to be accepted on to the bank’s staff. be in the Bank by half past eleven at night.’6 The Bankers’ Guarantee & Trust Fund had to procure a statement from their local and a silver sixpence in her shoe.’ As well as providing impeccable Even marriage without permission was and subscribing £10–10–0 in five monthly vicar or churchwarden ‘testifying, according references, each candidate was ‘desired frowned upon. But despite these restrictions instalments. A decade or so later, however, to the truth, that they have not at any time to write a Letter to the House, by which Hoare’s was regarded as a desirable place the chaos of World War One and the before, been touched by his Majesty, to the will be seen his Handwriting & Epistolary to work. Salaries were generous, the hours profound changes that followed in its wake intent to be healed of their disease.’ Next Qualifications.’4 Good handwriting was not too onerous and the annual four weeks’ signalled the demise of the Assurance Bond.

[ 14 ] [ 15 ] 5 Photograph of Frederick Alfred Hoare, Lord Mayor of London, 1961 Frederick Alfred (Derick) Hoare was the third member of the Hoare family to serve as Lord Mayor of London. His diary reveals the inevitable ups and downs of civic life.

Despite having served as Alderman for the does not worry me is presiding over any were required. At times he sounded more Ward of Farringdon Without since 1950 kind of meeting.’ But the greater part of his Mr Pooter than Lord Mayor of London. and Sheriff in 1956–57, Derick was reluctant time was to be spent fulfilling over 1,000 ‘I had to answer a civic toast under extremely to take on the role of Lord Mayor. As he public engagements. Many of these were difficult conditions, people popping balloons later recalled, it was the president of the aimed at promoting London’s trade and in the middle & too obviously only wanting Farringdon Ward Club who had initially business credentials. Derick therefore found to be amused.’ Gradually, however, Derick suggested the idea and Derick’s fellow himself welcoming fellow Mayors and trade settled into the role. He also discovered that Partners at Hoare’s Bank who had persuaded delegations from as far afield as Ottawa, it was not without its perks. A keen chess him to stand. So delighted were the latter by Bombay, Tokyo and Dar es Salaam. Even a player, Derick relished the opportunity to pit his election, they awarded each of the bank’s party of Soviet Trade Unionists found its way his wits against the reigning world champion, staff and pensioners an extra month’s salary to Mansion House, while Derick himself Mikhail Botvinnik, even coming from behind or pension. visited Dublin and Poland. Additionally, to force a draw. Other highlights included Derick’s Mayoralty did not get off to the Derick was, as the official guidelines put it, watching Tottenham Hotspur defeat Burnley smoothest of starts. A mix up over timings ‘frequently called upon by the Government 3–1 in the FA Cup Final and hosting a made him late for lunch with the outgoing to receive distinguished personages and Mansion House dinner for the entire Hoare’s Mayor on Admittance Day, 10th November delegations and offer hospitality worthy Bank staff. 1961, while the traditional Lord Mayor’s of the nation.’ Among those who fell into The most enduring legacy of Derick’s Show took place in torrential rain. As Derick this category were West Germany’s future Mayoralty was the Lady Hoare Thalidomide confided to his diary, navigating the elaborate Chancellor Willy Brandt, thirty former Appeal. Thalidomide had been prescribed rituals that accompanied his inauguration members of the Dutch Resistance and the to thousands of women during the late was a nerve-wracking experience. ‘Found Chinese Chargé d’Affaires. 1950s and early 1960s as a cure for morning the ceremony of swearing the oath at the Derick’s remaining engagements were sickness. What no one realised was the Law Courts pretty testing. Before the Lord an eclectic mix, designed to signal public devastating effect the drug was having on Chief Justice hat on for entry – off 3 times support for a multitude of good causes. They their unborn children. As a result, some quickly – on again – off when he addressed included a party for City Daily Ladies, a ram 10,000 babies were born with severe the new Lord Mayor & for the Oath. On roast at Custom House Quay in honour deformities. In July 1962, when the scandal again & off again at the end. Before the of the inaugural City of London Festival was at its height, Derick’s wife Mary was Master of the Rolls very different. On for and a visit to the Three Score Old People’s asked, as Lady Mayoress, to front a £250,000 entry off 3 times very slowly as the five Judges Club, where Derick dutifully carved up a appeal aimed at supporting the 600 or so must have time to balance their most peculiar 160lb Christmas pudding before dancing British families that had been affected. Out of hats. On again only twice. Remain uncovered to “Knees Up Mother Brown” with the this emerged The Lady Hoare Trust, now part most of the time. On again at the end – off Club’s members. Often Derick found of Contact a Family, which continues to offer again & on again. Very surprised at getting it himself juggling a surreal mix of the formal practical help to severely disabled children right.’ He was worried too at the prospect of and informal: dining on board the King of and their families today. having to make so many speeches, although Denmark’s yacht one moment, opening a Derick’s term of office formally ended on a sympathetic ally emerged during the Lord new multi-storey car park or shaking hands 9th November 1962. His final diary entry Mayor’s Banquet. Prime Minister Harold with 500 Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme records his unequivocal relief. ‘I was thrilled Macmillan was ‘Most comforting all the way gold medallists the next. Then there was the beyond measure with no reservations of any through over my hating making speeches so rededication of Bow Bells, the inauguration kind to be out of the office of Lord Mayor. much. Says he absolutely hates it & so did of a new reservoir at Walton-on-Thames, a Neither Mary or I would go back to Nov last Winston Churchill.’1 service marking the 300th anniversary of the year for a million pounds each. 984 speeches.’ Initial ceremonies concluded, Derick Book of Common Prayer, a rally for 5,000 plunged headlong into a punishing schedule Girl Guides and innumerable deputations on of meetings and engagements. As Mayor he every conceivable subject. One particularly was expected to preside over both the Court exhausting day, Derick noted, he made nine of Aldermen and the Court of Common speeches. Council, play an active role on various Early diary entries reveal the lack of Aldermanic Committees and attend sittings organisation Derick encountered at Mansion at the Old Bailey. None of this alarmed him House: the constant muddle over timings, unduly. ‘The one job as Lord Mayor that dress codes and whether or not speeches

[ 16 ] 6 Primrose League diploma awarded to Sir Henry Ainslie Hoare Bt, 1892 Few people today know that 19th April is Primrose Day. Yet things were once very different. ‘Never have primroses been so largely worn,’ marvelled the Daily Telegraph in 1888. ‘Merchants in the city, ladies in the West-end, cabmen on their hansoms, ‘bus drivers, errand boys, and nursemaids were alike in their tastes.’ All subscribed to one of the most powerful political movements of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: the Primrose League.

The early 1880s were testing times for the children were enrolled as ‘Primrose Buds’. To Tories. After six years in power they had foster feelings of fellowship, the League set lost the general election of 1880. This was out to be as sociable as possible. An annual followed a year later by the death of their Grand Habitation, held on the anniversary of charismatic leader, Benjamin Disraeli. Worse Disraeli’s death, was the highlight, but there still, it seemed that Gladstone’s Liberal gov- were numerous more modest entertainments ernment was intent on destroying everything throughout the year: bazaars, picnics, Disraeli had fought so hard to achieve. It was concerts, fêtes and sports’ days. The League’s Disraeli, after all, who had proclaimed Queen Grand Councillor, the Marquess of Salisbury, Victoria Empress of India, who had secured regularly threw open the gates of Hatfield a £4m stake in the Suez Canal, who had House for Habitation visits, complete with steadfastly maintained a military presence teas, speeches and brass bands, while at a in Afghanistan. Yet under Gladstone the North Kensington Habitation concert in British garrison at Kandahar was abandoned, 1894 ‘songs, recitations and violin solos were leaving Afghanistan vulnerable to Russian intermingled, and Mr Alfred Heald brought encroachment, which in turn jeopardised down the house by a spirited rendering of British trade with India. Turmoil in Egypt “Tommy Atkins”.’1 Music was to play an and Sudan was allowed to continue more or important role in spreading the Primrose less unchecked, endangering both Britain’s League’s message. There were songs, of imperial ambitions and her Suez investment. course, with such stirring titles as “Grasp the Nor was the domestic outlook any brighter. Flag, True Britons All” and “The Primrose Public expenditure and taxes were on the Maid”, but also waltzes and marches available One of the Primrose League’s earliest the Primrose League was first proposed, of the Agricultural labourer – who after being rise, while a flood of cheap goods into Britain as sheet music for use domestically or at local members (no 65) was Sir Henry Ainslie Henry was quick to offer his support. taken to the Polling Booth by his Master, has had helped trigger an agricultural slump. And gatherings. Hoare Bt. Born in 1824, the eldest son of By 1885 the outlook was no less uncertain. turned round & forfeited his promise to him to cap it all, the Liberals were planning not This coalescence of support occurred at bank Partner Henry Charles Hoare, Henry As Sir Stafford Northcote, a future Tory – it has been a cruel fraud & entirely dissipates only to widen the franchise but support Irish a key moment in British political life. From inherited his baronetcy and the Stourhead Foreign Secretary, confided to Henry, ‘How the idea we have hitherto entertained of the Home Rule, an issue that threatened to tear 1883 political parties were barred from estate, Wiltshire, from an uncle in 1857. fast the Government are breaking up the honesty of the British labourer.’6 the United Kingdom apart. employing paid canvassers. A year later Although initially a Liberal MP, Henry’s Empire! I am very uneasy at the look of Although Henry never stood for Parliament It was against this backdrop that the an additional two million men were given growing distrust of Gladstone prompted his things in Egypt, whether from a political again he remained a staunch supporter of Primrose League was formed in 1883 by a the vote, swelling the electorate by 25%. ABOVE Sir Henry Ainslie Hoare, 5th Bt (‘Men of the Day, defection to the Conservatives in the mid or a military point of view. And what has the Primrose League, sitting on its Ruling group of prominent Tories including Lord The Primrose League offered an effective no.276’) by Sir Leslie Ward, 1883 1870s, a move he would later describe as the become of Gordon?’4 General Gordon’s Council and speaking to Habitations up Randolph Churchill (father of Winston) and way for the Tory party to reach out to strangest event in his existence. By the early death at Khartoum on 26th January 1885, and down the country. Primrose Day 1888 bank customer Sir John Eldon Gorst. Named these new voters, providing a ready-made BELOW Primrose League badge, Honorary Dame, 1880s Henry had become a familiar figure in two days before the arrival of a relief force found him attending the Grand Habitation c.1901 after Disraeli’s favourite flower, the League army of unpaid canvassers, speakers for Tory circles, so familiar that Vanity Fair made and three days before Northcote’s letter at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket, where, had three key objectives: the maintenance of local meetings, leaflets on topics ranging him the subject of one of its famous ‘Spy’ to Henry, caused an outcry in Britain. At a on a Union Jack-swathed stage, beneath a both Religion and the Estates of the Realm, from Conservatism and English Liberty to cartoons. Primrose League meeting in Cheltenham banner proclaiming “Success to the Primrose and the unity and ascendancy of the Empire. How the Public Purse is Filled, even magic Henry’s experiences perfectly illustrate Henry deplored ‘the shilly-shallying policy of League”, he urged an audience of 3,000 to An office was rented in Essex Street, London, lantern shows, ‘the material for a healthy the unease that led to the Primrose League’s the Government’ which had led to Gordon’s oppose the idea of ‘one man one vote.’ and annual membership fees set at a nominal entertainment.’2 The lantern shows on offer formation and subsequent success. ‘Where death or capture and threatened Britain’s At the time of Henry’s death in 1894, the 2s 6d, to encourage as many people as shrewdly mixed politics – “Our Glorious are we going to!!’ he implored his mother trade with India. As he put it, ‘Trade followed Primrose League’s membership stood at over possible to join. Cannily, the League’s leaders Empire” or “Our Imperial Navy” – with in December 1882, ‘& what is going to the flag, and if the flag did not flaunt high, 1.2 million. Numbers peaked at two million tapped into a Victorian yearning for all things entertainment – “Through the Looking become of us in this increasing ever growing trade would diminish.’5 in 1910 before falling away as constituency medieval. Local associations were referred Glass” (Carroll) and “The Wreck of the inclemency of atmosphere & climate & the The general election of 1885 saw Henry associations developed and imperialism gave to as Habitations, members as Knights and Hesperus” (Longfellow). To encourage revolutionary tendencies of the age fostered stand as the Conservative candidate for East way to nationalism; even the terminology that Dames. members to work for the cause, an honours by the fiend Gladstone.’3 A few months later, Somerset. Times may have changed, but as had appealed so much to Victorian sensibilities Within three years the Primrose League system was introduced that spawned a the agricultural depression forced Henry into the local landowner he was still expected to – Knights, Dames and Habitations – came had attracted over 245,000 members and series of clasps and badges embellished selling many of Stourhead’s finest treasures: win. His defeat, therefore, left his friends to be seen as anachronistic. By the 1980s the set up 1,200 Habitations across Britain. with primroses and the League’s motto, paintings by Rembrandt, Titian and stunned. One, solicitor Henry Dyne, knew Primrose League existed in little more than Women, who made up nearly half its “Imperium et Libertas” (Empire and Canaletto, as well as statues, porcelain, silver exactly who to blame. ‘[A]ll the party are name, although it was not formally wound up membership, were given equal status; Liberty). and books. Small wonder, then, that when disgusted at the treachery and ingratitude until 2004.

[ 18 ] [ 19 ] 7 View of Stourhead garden by Francis Nicholson, 19th century ‘On June 10th [1965] we hired a special train to take the whole of our staff, including porters and domestic servants dedicated to Flora and Apollo and a Grotto. turn of mind contented themselves with an of their eighteenth and nineteenth century together with spouses and children, to Gillingham, Dorset, whence they went by motor coach to Stourhead, where they The latter, complete with perpetual spring amble round the lake’s rim, stopping off at the predecessors. For as writer Compton and sleeping nymph, was much admired by Temples to admire the views, before crossing Mackenzie declared in 1951, ‘I can imagine were greeted by Mr and Mrs H. P. R. Hoare. On arrival the house and its contents were inspected followed by lunch … visitors in general and by actor David Garrick over the Palladian bridge or taking to the no better way to spend a summer’s day than in the Saloon… It was a lovely day and everybody appeared to enjoy themselves.’1 Staff outings to Stourhead remain in particular. So enraptured was Garrick, water on board a small ferry. wandering through the rhododendrons beside popular today. But both house and garden have been attracting visitors for over 250 years. he professed a desire to be buried there and Stourhead was given to the National those bespelled lakes, exploring the Grotto dashed off an impromptu epitaph to that Trust in 1947. Today it continues to welcome and the Temple of the Sun, and stepping from effect. Those blessed with a less dramatic visitors, all eager to follow in the footsteps room to room in Stourhead House.’6

Stourhead was built in the early 1720s by local inn, built by Henry (Magnificent) during a visit to Rome in about 1740, the 13ft bank Partner Henry Hoare (Good), while expressly to accommodate tourists. ‘I had high cabinet conceals 150 tiny cupboards and its celebrated garden was the brainchild of often heard of the inn at Stourhead being drawers behind a pietra dure façade shaped his son, Henry (Magnificent). At the end of delightfully situated, and well conducted,’ like a Baroque church. True to his word, the eighteenth century substantial changes wrote a visitor in 1807, ‘but I found it exceeds Henry never revealed how much he paid were made to both by the latter’s grandson, every expectation … for it looks into the most for his prize possession. Its cost remains a Sir Richard Colt Hoare Bt. Two new wings charming part of the gardens and pleasure- mystery to this day. were added to the house. One showcased grounds, which come up to, and, as it were, After seeing over the house, visitors were the fine paintings amassed by himself and mix with the village.’3 Obtaining rooms free to explore the grounds. The garden and his grandfather; the other, furnished by could be difficult, however, as inveterate pleasure grounds often marked the high point Thomas Chippendale the younger, housed his traveller Mrs Lybbe Powys found to her cost of a country house visit. And most popular extensive library. Out in the garden, mean- in 1776. ‘We intended laying at the inn at of all were landscape gardens. The landscape while, a number of new trees and shrubs were Stourton, built by Mr Hoare for the company garden movement, spearheaded by William introduced, including the latest horticultural that comes to see his place, but to our great Kent and Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, novelty: rhododendrons. From its inception, mortification, when we got there at near ten had swept across Britain during the mid however, Stourhead was more than a family o’clock, it was full, and we oblig’d to go on eighteenth century. Henry (Magnificent) was home. Its architecture, its pictures and above to Meer [Mere], a shocking little town three just one of many landowners who scrambled all its garden were always intended to be miles off.’4 Comfortable accommodation to tear up their formal gardens and replace enjoyed by a much wider audience. was scarce and the indignities suffered by them with natural ones complete with lakes, Country house visiting was as popular in travellers – filthy rooms, flea-ridden beds, woods and picturesque views. In reality, the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as it inedible food and sickly or unobtainable though, these ‘natural’ gardens were anything is today. Henry Merrik Hoare’s wife Sophia horses – loom large in their diaries and letters. but. The lake at Stourhead was dug out by noted in her diary that during a tour to the Once safely ensconced at the inn, visitors squads of labourers, vast numbers of mature Lakes in c.1817 she visited three great houses could set about seeing Stourhead in earnest. trees and shrubs were imported to create the – Hatfield, Burghley and Kedleston – as well First the housekeeper conducted them ‘natural’ look and the numerous grottoes, as the Buxton caves, a cotton spinning mill through the principal rooms: the entrance hermitages and temples that peppered the and a prison. But while Stourhead remained hall, drawing room, music room, library scene belied their evocative names and open all year round, access to other houses and picture gallery. In the days before public sometimes tumbledown appearance. Nearly could be limited, as Sophia discovered on galleries – Dulwich Picture Gallery, England’s all were newly built. Nor could such gardens arrival at Woburn. ‘[It] was not the day on first purpose built art gallery, did not open be described as low maintenance. By the which the Duke’s fine Place is shewn, [so] we until 1817 and the National Gallery was only 1770s fifty men were required to maintain consoled ourselves with taking a very pleasant established in 1824 – private house visits Stourhead’s garden and its interwoven seven walk in the Park and viewing the Abbey offered the public a rare chance to view miles of walks and rides. But for visitors a from a small Eminence adjacent.’2 Most art, particularly Old Masters. On show at landscape garden was a joy to behold, and country house owners, though, were happy Stourhead were paintings by Rembrandt, those who ventured to Stourhead seldom to encourage tourists. The more enterprising Poussin and Titian, alongside family portraits left disappointed. Mrs Lybbe Powis declared even provided guidebooks, accommodation, and contemporary works by the likes of that ‘Capability’ Brown himself could not teas and picnic sites. And all became used Gainsborough and Angelica Kauffman. have done better than Henry Hoare, while to encountering visitors while going about For many, though, the highlight was not William Gilpin wrote ‘We saw many things at their day to day lives. At Burghley, Sophia met a painting but a piece of furniture known the same time which pleased us, particularly Lord Exeter’s family on their way to prayers, as the Pope’s Cabinet. Mrs Lybbe Powys the “line of the lake,” in general, along its while at Hatfield ‘[as] we were waiting for recorded that ‘In the third room shown is shores; the woody skreens that environed it; the Carriage and warming ourselves in the so-much-talked-of cabinet that once and the effect of some of the buildings in the the Housekeeper’s Room adjoining the belong’d to Pope Sixtus, which Mr Hoare landscape … especially that of the Pantheon.’5 Conservatory, Lord & Lady Salisbury came purchased at an immense sum, so great that The lake forms the centrepiece of in, not knowing we were there.’ he says he will never declare the sum. It is, Stourhead garden. Situated a small distance Visitors to Stourhead generally stopped indeed, most beautifully ornamented, as well from the house at the foot of a gently sloping off en route to Bath, or made it part of a wider as valuable, for on the outside are many fine wooded valley, it is surrounded by winding tour encompassing Fonthill, Stonehenge, gems.’ Reputedly made for Pope Sixtus V in paths and overlooked by a series of buildings Wilton and Longleat. Most stayed at the the 1580s and bought by Henry (Magnificent) including a copy of the Pantheon, Temples

[ 20 ] [ 21 ] 8 Photograph of Hoare’s Bank on Diamond Jubilee Day, 1897 In 1897 Queen Victoria became the first British monarch to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. To mark the occasion an exhaustive programme of events was organised, culminating in a grand procession through London on 22nd June. It was a time of national rejoicing and Hoare’s Bank played its part.

Preparations for the Diamond Jubilee were to catch the mails. Every now and then cannon roars in Hyde Park, peal after peal of underway at Hoare’s by April 1897. Architect bands of youths or men trooped by singing church bells, military bands, Highland pipers J. W. Penfold was commissioned to design “God Save the Queen” to a cacophonous and, of course, the crowds – vast swathes of a series of elaborate temporary balconies accompaniment … Factory girls, arm in arm, people covering pavements, bridges, balconies, capable of accommodating up to 400 people, danced upon the pavements; women seated even roofs, all cheering and waving white while the Partners met with their Chief Clerk upon hand-barrows were wheeled along in handkerchiefs for hours on end. to finalise the guest list. Although it was triumph … cyclists threaded their way slowly Fleet Street that day was decked out decided to invite just family, staff and a select through the streets, among them some ladies predominantly in purple and gold. Palms, flags number of others, seventy places were set who received from the bystanders equivocal and evergreens smothered the Griffin at Temple aside to satisfy some of the anticipated unso- cheers.’2 At 8.30am the street was closed to Bar, while floral garlands swooped from one licited requests for seats. One of the more traffic and ticket holders had just half an hour end of the street to the other. The Daily Telegraph unusual of these came from Lord Frederick longer to get into position. After that, all office, ‘adorned most tastefully with green and Brudenell Bruce. ‘Have you by any chance a anyone could do was wait. mauve festoons, interspersed with graceful spare seat where a Photographer could place An hour or so later, the procession got palms,’ was universally praised, although himself at your Bank so as to get a shot at the underway. Unlike the Golden Jubilee, ‘the offices of the Black and White, the Sporting ‘Civic procession’? It will be a [Keograph?] or which had focused on Queen Victoria’s Life, and the Morning Advertiser compelled moving picture of the whole show, if the sun family, organisers of the Diamond Jubilee admiration, as did also Messrs Hoare’s bank, will only shine on all as it ought.’1 Presumably chose to place the Empire at the heart of which was conspicuous in crimson and white.’3 the Hoares agreed, for on the far left of the this celebration. Heading the procession, At nightfall the mood shifted as gas-powered photograph shown here (second balcony up) therefore, were troops drawn from all four illuminations wheezed into life. Child’s Bank there is indeed a cameraman. Remarkably, he corners of the globe: Hussars from Canada opted for a display of opal, amber and pale blue was not alone: an estimated forty film cam- and Niger, Mounted Rifles from Queensland lamps; above Hoare’s the letters “VR” were eras were placed along the route. Fragments and Umvoti, Zaptiehs from Cyprus, picked out in coloured lights. Crowds lingered of their footage can be still seen at the British Artillerymen from Jamaica, Infantrymen on to view the illuminations and public houses Film Institute. from Malta and Hong Kong. Behind them were given special dispensation to remain As entry to Fleet Street on Jubilee Day marched battalions of British troops, followed open until 2.30am, much to the horror of was restricted to ticket holders only, guests by an assortment of aides de camp and foreign temperance campaigners. were asked to submit the names of those attachés. Finally, there appeared seventeen The Hoares spent a total of £1,501–4–2 who would be accompanying them. One, a open carriages. The last of these, drawn by on their Jubilee celebrations. Accounts show local solicitor, requested permission to bring eight cream ponies and escorted by Indian that £620 was paid to carvers and gilders his two teenage sons; ‘you will find them troops, carried the Queen, dressed in black M.W. Edgley, presumably for the elaborate quiet lads.’ Others nominated their wives silk and clutching a white lace parasol. Slowly coats of arms that embellished the balconies or mothers. Nearly all were only too glad to the procession wove its way westwards to St as well as the hundreds of chairs required accept. ‘I must thank you & your Partners Paul’s Cathedral. After pausing for a brief for the occasion. A further £457–10–0 went for the generous offer of 2 seats in view of open air thanksgiving service – 78 year old to builders Hall Beddall & Co., while John the procession,’ wrote Rev James Hoare of Victoria being deemed too frail and arthritic Edgington & Co. were paid £88–5–0 for Godstone, Surrey, ‘the value of which can to manage the steps – the cavalcade crossed flags and bunting. Guests received specially scarcely be estimated when we read of 50 London Bridge and worked its way back to designed invitations and provided with both guineas being offered for a seat!’ In the end, Buckingham Palace in time for a late lunch. breakfast and lunch. Judging from the letters over 500 people crammed into the bank on Photographs of that day are inevitably the Partners subsequently received, the day Jubilee Day. black and white, making it easy to forget how was a resounding success, although as solicitor On the eve of the procession, Fleet Street colourful a spectacle the procession must John Dawson remarked, ‘It was a wonder bristled with anticipation. Spectators began have been. The flowers, the flags, the crowds to us how you could have effected such a laying siege to the best vantage points at in their summer finery and the uniforms of transformation & I am afraid it could only have midnight and by 3am the entire length of the 45,000 troops on show made an indelible been at considerable inconvenience for some the pavement was packed. From dawn ‘a impression on all who witnessed them. time to the Even tenor of your way.’ Another stream of wagons, omnibuses, brakes, and The Times described how, as the procession guest summed up the sentiments of many when hansoms, full of sightseers, made their way rounded Hyde Park Corner into Piccadilly, he reflected ‘we shall remember [the day] all our along the route, retarding the progress of ‘a stream of gold and scarlet flowed like a lives with a feeling that we too have helped to the newspaper carts as they rattled along sunlit river.’ The noise too was deafening: make history!’

[ 22 ] 9 Royal Toxophilite Society loan account, 1835–36 Today archery is regarded as a minority sport. But this was not always the case. In its heyday archery attracted thousands of followers, including members of the Hoare family.

Archery in medieval times was much more Archery’s revival can be attributed health benefits. And once the Prince of Wales an existing member before submitting to the than just a sport. Longbow men formed to two men, Sir Ashton Lever and his agreed to become the Society’s patron in 1787 ordeal of a ballot. Those who survived – three an integral part of England’s armed forces secretary Thomas Waring, who set up the the sport’s future seemed assured. Archery black balls spelt disaster – then had to furnish and played a pivotal role in some of the Toxophilite Society in 1781. The latter was societies sprang up all over the country as the themselves with not only the requisite bow period’s greatest battles, notably Crecy particularly keen to promote the health fashionable scrambled to follow the Prince’s and arrows but also the Society’s uniform: (1346), Poitiers (1356) and Agincourt (1415). benefits of archery, which he regarded as lead. a green single-breasted coat trimmed with So vital a skill was archery perceived to ‘the most healthy exercise a man can pursue, Initially, the Toxophilite Society was based gold buttons, worn over a white waistcoat be, in fact, that from 1252 all men aged strengthening and bracing the bodily frame, at Lever’s home in Leicester Square, London. and black breeches. A hat, sprouting a between fifteen and sixty were ordered to without that laborious exertion common to Shooting butts were erected on the lawn and black feather and turned up over one eye, equip themselves with a bow and arrows. many games.’1 Waring’s Treatise on Archery, meetings convened twice weekly in summer completed the ensemble. A century later, Edward III, concerned that a minor classic that went through several and monthly during the winter. Additionally, Before long archery societies had become archery was being neglected in favour of editions, overflowed with useful advice: how the Society staged three competitions or known as much for their conviviality as football, hockey, cockfighting and ‘other to string a bow, feather an arrow or stage a Target Days: the Easter Target, held on St for their prize shooting. Target Days were such idle games,’ even passed a law making competition. ‘If the Butts are built in a field George’s Day; the Whitsun Target, held on followed by dinners or balls, at which ladies archery practice compulsory on Sundays. or pasture where sheep are suffered to graze George III’s birthday and the Annual Target, were encouraged to enter into the spirit of By Stuart times, however, the spread of … the sheep should be penned up to prevent held on the Prince of Wales’s birthday. By the occasion by dressing in green. But despite gunpowder and muskets had rendered the accidents.’2 For most people, though, the the time twenty-year old Charles Hoare and these attractions, this first flirtation with longbow obsolete and archery became the romance of archery – conjuring up as it his brother Hugh joined the Society in 1787, archery only lasted a few years. As the onset preserve of a small number of dedicated did images of Robin Hood or the glories an elaborate set of rules also had evolved. of the Napoleonic Wars dampened the public amateurs. of Agincourt – outweighed any potential Prospective members had to be nominated by mood and squeezed disposable incomes, membership of the Royal Toxophilite Society collapsed from nearly 150 in 1792 to 25 by Hoxton Fields: General view with archery tournament in foreground, by C.H. Matthews, 1857 1800. Many other societies disappeared London Metropolitan Archives (City of London) altogether. The Hoares too lost interest. Hugh Hoare does not appear to have though there are no Lady Members, yet the the form of an arrow) was gained by the Rev renewed his subscription after 1791, while Ladies belonging to many of the Members’ B. Doveton … Two hundred and ten sat down Charles Hoare allowed his to lapse in 1793. families, often shoot on such days as are not to a dinner, consisting of all the delicacies By the 1820s, however, archery was appropriated to the Members, and on the of the season and the evening concluded back in vogue. So much so, that the Royal Ladies’ Day numbers of fair Archeresses grace with dancing, which was kept up till a late Toxophilite Society was able to secure a the festive scene; therefore the Society has hour.’4 Lavish prizes, donated by patrons or six-acre site in Regent’s Park and erect an studied their comfort and convenience also.’3 by the members themselves, were a universal impressive new ‘Swiss or Rustic Gothic’ style Among the many local societies to emerge feature of such competitions. Those on offer club house, Archer’s Hall. A veranda hugged at this time was the Selwood Foresters. at a subsequent gathering of the Selwood the Hall’s exterior, while the interior was Established in 1832 along the Somerset, Foresters included an embroidered cap, a set decorated with bows and arrows, coats of Dorset and Wiltshire borders, the Foresters’ of turquoise combs and ‘a rare Scotch Thistle, arms, stags’ antlers and the stuffed head of membership reached 200 in just three years. fresh from Cairn Gouram, bedewed and Lever’s cockatoo Charley. To fund their new Competitions were held at Stourhead, glittering in its native gems,’5 while a Royal venture, the Society took out over £4,000 in Wiltshire, home to the Foresters’ patron, Sir Toxophilite Society contest in 1836 saw the loans, £1,200 of which came from Hoare’s Richard Colt Hoare Bt, who erected shooting snuff takers take on the non-snuff takers for, Bank. butts along the sheltered terrace and of all things, a gold snuff box. This renewed interest prompted the marquees on the lawn. That of 15th August Evidence of archery’s popularity can be establishment of countless local archery 1832 was typical. ‘The weather was most found in the art and literature of the period. societies. Meetings were still convivial affairs, propitious, and the company consisted of all Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe (1820), Rossini’s William but they now offered an additional allure, for the rank and fashion of the neighbourhood. Tell (1829), William Powell Frith’s The Fair archery was one of the few sports deemed There was much skill displayed by the fair Toxophilites (1872) and George Eliot’s Daniel suitable for women. Not only could women archeresses, and the ladies’ prize, which was Deronda (1876) all feature archery contests. compete on equal terms with men, but their a gold bow and arrow, forming an ornament The press too began covering the sport in costumes, their grace, their poise all added a for the neck, suspended by a green ribbon, some detail. But the 1870s saw archery’s star distinct charm to the proceedings. Archer’s was won by Miss Doveton, of Mells’ Rectory; fade once more as first croquet and then lawn Hall even installed a Ladies’ Room, ‘for and the gentlemen’s prize (a gold shirt pin in tennis captured the public imagination.

[ 24 ] [ 25 ] 10 Sketch for principal elevation of proposed new banking house by Charles Parker, 1827 The Hoares’ Fleet Street premises have been altered several times in recent memory. But these changes pale into insignificance compared with the upheaval encountered back in 1829, when the entire bank was pulled down and rebuilt.

In 1690 goldsmith/banker Richard Hoare of Bedford’s London properties and a the characteristics any private bank would moved his burgeoning business from founding Fellow of RIBA. Hoare’s Bank, wish to project: quality, solidity, discretion Cheapside to bustling Fleet Street. Newly though, was one of his first commissions. and a total lack of ostentation. This penchant rebuilt after the Great Fire of London (1666), And it was planned in meticulous detail. As for understatement is reinforced by the the property comprised a kitchen and cellar Parker assured Hugh Hoare in December manner in which the Partners recorded in the basement, a shop and parlour on the 1828, ‘Thirty seven detailed drawings the opening of their new premises. ‘19 July ground floor and three further floors above, containing the construction as well as the [1830] Remov’d to our new House after 5 each divided into ‘two fair chambers and a lit- manner of furnishing the rooms have been o’clock. 20 July Open’d the new Shop.’2 tle lodging room.’ There the bank flourished, carefully prepared from which the quantity Inside, the maze of narrow passageways so much so that by the end of the eighteenth and measurements of the several kinds of and small irregular rooms that had century, despite some ad hoc expansion into works can be with accuracy calculated.’1 developed piecemeal over the previous neighbouring properties, the old building Four months later the business retreated century was swept away. In its place Parker was no longer fit for purpose. Realising that to a building behind 37 Fleet Street, the old created a series of elegant well-proportioned something needed to be done, the Partners banking house was pulled down and the rooms complete with large windows and in 1799 agreed to set aside £500 p.a. with a first brick of the new one laid by five year old high ceilings. An oak flush-surfaced banking view to rebuilding. Then in 1826 a number of Henry Ainslie Hoare. hall or ‘Shop’, complete with mahogany architects were invited to submit plans for a From the outset the Hoares sought to keep counters, metalwork grilles and a bronze new banking house. a tight rein on the project’s costs. Existing columnar stove designed by Parker’s brother When commissioning their new premises, materials were salvaged or sold on, and the Samuel, ‘Bronzist to his Late Majesty’, was the Hoares had definite ideas about what savings made deducted from the final bill. created in the front part of the ground floor. was required. Sufficient working space and There was also considerable debate as to For the room behind the Partners heeded secure warehousing for valuables were vital; whether the front should be faced with stone. the advice of Sir Richard Colt Hoare Bt, who a suitably grand setting for their customers to But the Partners were keenly aware that a after inspecting the initial plans had urged visit no less so. At the same time the building delicate balance needed to be struck. For them ‘Pray give yourselves a better room for needed to offer living accommodation for the while on the one hand they wished to preserve 25 by 15 is a mere den, little better than the Partners, one of whom always was always in their reputation for fiscal prudence, on the old one. Why not … make a handsome room attendance. Finally, it had to cater for a dozen other it was vital they projected an image of of 25 by 26 to receive the noblesse.’3 ‘Gentlemen of the Shop’ (ie clerks), all of living and trading successfully in order to On the first floor, Parker constructed a whom ate their meals at the bank and several inspire confidence amongst their customers suite of rooms – drawing room, dining room, of whom were expected to live in, along with and peers. Considerable uncertainty would saloon and ante-room – that became known various porters and domestic servants. So be aroused if the Hoares were seen to be as the Private House. Created specifically for acute had the shortage of space in the old operating from either an overly lavish or the Partners by an army of marble workers, banking house become that instructions small, meanly appointed premises. carpenters, carvers, decorative plasterers, issued in 1793 directed one clerk to sleep in The result, finished fifteen months later painters, paperhangers and upholsterers, the the clerks’ dining room and another in the at a cost of over £20,000 excluding fittings, Private House was the grandest part of the garret, while William the porter was told to was an elegant three-storey building faced building. Four bedrooms, two sitting rooms bed down in the butler’s room. with Bath stone. Parker’s more extravagant and a dressing room were installed on the Although plans were received from suggestions, including four Ionic columns floor above to accommodate the sleeping more established architects, the Hoares at the front of the building, were rejected duty Partner and his attendants; twelve tiny ultimately chose a ‘strongly recommended’ – ‘they would give rather too magnificent attic bedrooms housed the junior clerks and but inexperienced man in his late twenties. an appearance to a House of Business’ – in domestic servants. Charles Parker (1799–1881) had been a pupil favour of quiet restraint. The main entrance Today, the banking hall and Private House of Sir Jeffry Wyatville, whose opinion the was placed to the side of the building instead remain largely unaltered. Customers still Partners sought before taking him on. His of in the middle, and above it Parker was transact their business over the mahogany grand ­father, renowned chandelier maker instructed to replace the circular head he counters and the Partners continue to William Parker, traded at 69 Fleet Street, had proposed with a pediment to house the breakfast and lunch under the steady gaze which may explain how the Hoares came golden bottle. Although a stark contrast to of their ancestors, whose portraits line the across Charles. Charles himself, meanwhile, the highly decorative buildings commissioned dining room walls. The drawing room and had just spent several years in Italy. Later by the joint stock banks half a century later, library (formerly the saloon), meanwhile, are he would become surveyor to the Duke the Hoares’ new banking house exemplified invaluable for entertaining.

[ 26 ] 11 Photograph of the restored façade at 40–43 Fleet Street, 2012 40–43 Fleet Street has formed part of C. Hoare & Co.’s banking house since 2012. Its incorporation meant considerable Waller, son of the Paten Shop proprietor what he termed ‘cement’. However dubious saw that the entire situation could be turned change for Hoare’s Bank. But for 40–43, it was merely the latest chapter in a long and varied history. perhaps, had by his death in 1774 built up an this Method sounds, Ovey’s business was to their advantage. For the opening of the extensive bookselling/publishing business clearly successful; in 1795 he paid £1,000 for new Law Courts, also scheduled for 1879, that included a share in the General Evening the freehold of no 41. would enhance both 40–43’s capital value Post. Several booksellers, publishers and 41 Fleet Street’s next occupant was and its rental potential. Together, these printers then followed him into no 43, fishmonger John Rapsey. An advertisement various circumstances prompted the Hoares notably law publishers Joseph Butterworth dated March 1809 shows him soliciting to act. In February 1879 they agreed to buy & Son, booksellers Saunders & Benning ‘the favours of the nobility, gentry and the the entire site from their erstwhile Partner and printers Eyre & Spottiswoode. As the public in general, whose orders will be for £24,000. Henry received £9,000 in cash 40–43 Fleet Street was originally two official Queen’s Printer, the latter had near thankfully received, and supplied on the most and the remaining balance was used to clear separate buildings (nos 41 and 43), separated exclusive rights over the printing, publishing reasonable terms … Barrelled Oysters sent to his two mortgages. Immediately afterwards, from the bank at no 37 by a third (no 39) and and importing of both the Bible and the Book any part of the kingdom. Pickled Oysters for law stationer Alfred Doubble, no 40’s tenant a narrow passageway leading to the Mitre of Common Prayer within England, Wales exportation.’2 But either his terms were too since 1858, had his lease renewed for another Tavern and the Cat and Fiddle Courtyard. A and Ireland. Huge numbers of each flowed reasonable, or else the public failed to favour twenty-one years, while a Post Office branch glimpse of these properties survives today in through their Bible Warehouse at 43 Fleet him enough, for just six years later Rapsey opened at no 43 the following year. the form of a schedule of fixtures and fittings Street during the 1860s and 1870s. was declared bankrupt. Various tenants Despite these new leases the Hoares for no 43.1 Dating from 1701, it describes While 43 Fleet Street enjoyed a relatively then came and went before 41 Fleet Street remained keen to maximise 40–43’s a slim three-storey structure with cellars stable history, no 41’s proved rather more was divided into two properties (nos 40 & potential. After much deliberation they below and garrets above. The front part of turbulent. For much of the first half of the 41) in the late 1820s. No 40 was leased to decided that redevelopment would be the ground floor was fitted up as a shop, with eighteenth century, part of the property was the proprietors of John Bull magazine, while their best option. Architect J. W. Penfold, double doors to the front and a deal closet occupied by print seller Philip Overton. He tailor Henry Sibert moved into no 41. In 1849 brought in to advise them in 1895, was all in to the rear. Each of the upper storeys was was succeeded in the mid 1740s by Robert John Bull’s erstwhile editor, Samuel Phillips, favour. ‘I think if you can turn the present divided into two or three rooms complete Sayer, who described himself as a map and soon to make his mark as literary director of rents – say £600 – into a ground rent and with wainscoting, crown glass windows, print seller trading at the Golden Buck facing the newly erected Crystal Palace, took over at get the premises rebuilt you would do well.’4 deal shutters and earthenware tiled chimney Fetter Lane. Among Sayer’s many offerings no 40. Penfold busied himself on the Partners’ pieces – plain white in the bedrooms, blue were playing cards depicting everything By the mid 1870s it was becoming behalf, sounding out the existing tenants and white in the dining room, red and white from military fortifications to ‘Love, or the increasingly clear to the Hoares that careful regarding an early termination of their leases in the parlour. At the rear of the property a Intrigues and Amusements of that Passion, thought needed to be given to 40–43 Fleet and the city planners on the possibility of yard housed the ‘necesary … [with] wooden merrily displayed!’ And like Waller before Street’s future. As their lawyer put it, ‘It is rebuilding. His efforts came to an abrupt seat & Leaden Recevier for the Soil,’ along him, Sayer set his sights on the lucrative not probable the site will ever be required halt, however, when furnisher M.W. Edgley, with a series of lead pipes that carried water home improvement market. New Designs for enlargement of the Banking premises, who had succeeded Doubble in 1890, refused to and from the kitchen. Most striking of for Chinese Temples, Triumphal Arches, Garden and [there is] the possibility of enlargement to surrender his lease or consider any all, though, was the emphasis on security. Seats, Palings etc … Seventeen small but exceeding if necessary, by taking in No 33 Fleet Street redevelopment proposal. Rim locks, stock locks, bolts and iron bars beautiful Plans and Elevations in the Chinese and utilising the Chambers in the rear Edgley’s decision put the Hoares’ proliferated throughout the property. There Taste, elegantly decorated in the Indian Manner, called Mitre Court … but considering the development plans on hold until at least 1911. was even a palisade on top of the cellar to yet suitably adapted to these Climates; and will contiguity of this other property and the But it also gave them more time to consider ward off burglars and prowlers. not only be extremely ornamental in Gardens of annoyance that its possession in adverse their options. Eventually, after much to-ing At that time no 43 was owned by a Mr the Curious, but most useful to Artificers in general hands might cause the Firm it seems and fro-ing, an agreement was reached with Sheafe and leased to a bookseller called (1750) was quickly followed by Thirteen New desirable that the Firm should purchase, if it a Colonel Herbert Harrington Roberts, Waller, possibly Thomas Waller of the Paten Designs for small convenient Parsonages and Farm can be obtained on fairly remunerative terms, who offered to redevelop the entire 40–43 Shop at the east end of St Dunstan’s Church, Houses (1752) and The Ladies’ Amusement: Or, but they are not disposed to pay a fancy price Fleet Street site in return for a 98 year lease. Fleet Street, who three months before the the whole Art of Japanning made Easy (1760). for it.’3 Until then the risk of 40–43 Fleet The resulting building, still in use today, date of the inventory had advertised his latest Japanning, a form of imitation lacquer work Street falling into adverse hands had seemed was designed by Wylson & Long, although offering in the press, Imitation of Tapestry, inspired by the decorative objects that were remote. Partner Henry Hoare (Staplehurst) they had to incorporate several conditions Those Pleasant, Cheap and Delightful Hangings starting to pour into Britain from the Far had spent £10,020 acquiring no 43, the imposed on them by the Hoares, including done upon Cloath, Consisting of Various sorts of East, became immensely fashionable during former Mitre Tavern and 5 Mitre Court in one stipulating that no 40–43’s entrance be Indian Figures, Histories or Lanskips, of any the eighteenth century. Sayer’s The Ladies’ 1850 and parted with a further £5,850 for placed as far away from no 37 as possible. On Dementions whatsoever. Inexpensive cottons Amusement included some 1,500 designs – nos 40–41 five years later. Following his completion in 1913, part of the building was had become widely available by 1700, chinoiserie, flowers, birds, shells, classical death in 1866 these properties had passed to sublet to the Post Office and the remainder to bringing bright affordable wall hangings borders and rural scenes – which before long his eldest son, Henry (Iden). But a series of the Manchester Guardian. within reach of the general public for the could be found on everything from tin trays wildly over-optimistic speculations had left first time. Together with the spread of sturdy to Staffordshire pottery. this younger Henry mired in debt, so much brick-built houses across post-Fire London By 1761 Sayer had moved his business to so that he had been forced to resign from the they helped spark a home improvement what is now 53 Fleet Street. No 41 was taken bank’s partnership and mortgage both 40–41 boom, which in turn created a ready market over firstly by silversmith Roger Simpkinson and 43 Fleet Street. for books such as Imitation of Tapestry. and later (c.1780) by hatter Thomas Ovey. The uncertainty Henry’s financial woes Waller’s timing, it seems, was impeccable. During his tenure of no 41, Ovey patented ‘a created by was heightened by a realisation The Waller family would remain on Fleet new or improved Method of manufacturing that the leases on 40–43 Fleet Street were Street for several decades. Another Thomas Hats,’ a process involving copious amounts of due to expire in 1879. But the Partners soon

[ 28 ] [ 29 ] 12 Letter describing a fire at the Palace of Westminster, 1834 ‘Dear Louisa … Writing on this day I suppose you will expect me to have last night’s fire uppermost in my thoughts: embers alongside the Prime Minister, the Commons’ records had been lost entirely. of the Empire.’3 A competition to design at any rate I must tell you what I saw of it, [tho] my account must fall far short of what you will see in the papers.’1 Speaker and an assortment of Cabinet At first the cause of the fire was unclear. the new Palace of Westminster attracted ministers. Hordes of curious onlookers also Exploding gas pipes, careless workmen, nearly a hundred entries. The winning one, descended on the scene, some armed with newly installed flues, even the kitchen of a by Charles Barry, should have taken six sketchbooks and pencils. Prints depicting nearby café were all put forward as potential years to build, but it was seven years before the fire and its aftermath went on sale culprits, although those with a suspicious the House of Commons’ chamber was fit within days, although the most memorable turn of mind were quick to suggest arson. for use and a further five before the Lords images appeared the following year when Blame soon settled, however, on the could take possession of theirs. The cost, J. M. W. Turner, who had witnessed the fire Exchequer’s tally sticks, large numbers of meanwhile, spiralled ever upwards. By On 16th October 1834 Henry Hoare at first hand, produced several paintings that which had languished in the basement since the time the project finally ended in 1870, (Staplehurst) invited a friend to dine at captured its full majesty and horror. the tally system’s demise in the mid 1820s. some thirty years after it had begun, total Fleet Street. Soon after they had finished Most visitors were relieved to learn that On being told to dispose of them the Clerk expenditure had topped £2m, nearly treble a servant entered the drawing room and just one life (a fireman) had been lost and of Works, fearing a bonfire in the Palace yard the original estimate. But, together with his announced that the House of Lords was on that Westminster Abbey had escaped the might upset the neighbours, had set two men young colleague Augustus Pugin, responsible fire. At first Henry was unmoved. ‘I did not conflagration. But for Henry, the fate of to work shovelling tallies into the basement for designing the Palace’s distinctive Gothic believe this story, & Mr B. and I accordingly Westminster Hall was no less important. ‘As stoves beneath the House of Lords’ chamber. revival interior, Barry had succeeded in retained comfortable possession of our I went down Gt George St my breathlessness Soon after they left at 5pm the smouldering creating a landmark building that still chairs.’ But when the servant returned to was considerable for fear lest on turning the remains reignited, travelled up the flues and dominates British political life today. repeat his claim, this time with more urgency, corner I might see the mighty mass no more. burst out into the chamber above. By the time Henry felt obliged to go upstairs and look I was soon relieved.’ Little else remained the alarm was raised shortly before 7pm it for ­himself. A single glance was enough. though. Both Houses of Parliament had was too late. ‘Whatever the edifice was, the fire was a most been destroyed, along with the Speaker’s Once the initial shock had faded some terrific one. We agreed to sally forth & hasten House and several other buildings. And while began hailing the fire as a blessing in disguise. in a cab to the scene of action.’ soldiers were able to salvage some of the After all, it presented Britain with a unique From their vantage point beside Lords’ centuries-old records, ferrying them opportunity to replace her old Parliament The Fire at Westminster 1834, St Margaret’s Church, Henry and his to Downing Street in a motley collection of and all its inconveniences with one ‘on a scale watercolour by David Hall McKewan companion watched as the blaze, London’s hired waggons and coaches, the House of commensurate with the wants and dignity © Parliamentary Art Collection, WOA 54 worst since the Great Fire of 1666, destroyed much of the Palace of Westminster. ‘The fury of it may be conceived,’ Henry wrote to his sister Louisa, ‘when I tell you there were several immense timbers, half dislodged from their ancient resting places, which appeared thro the windows, blazing from end to end, and as completely on fire as a little stick in a common hearth.’ Its effect on Westminster Abbey mesmerised him. ‘[Y]ou can imagine the lurid glare, arising from the reflection of the opposite flames, which were so vivid that even the stones could not help reflecting it. When the clock struck … its solemn tone Henry was surprised to find the crowd liquor and assaulting the Under-Secretary seemed to join in harmony with the awful in subdued mood. ‘The opportunity was so of State.’ Petty crime, however, was rife. sight, and the eye and ear to be taught the good for a tirade against the Lords, that I ‘There were vast gangs of the light-fingered vanity of earthly greatness.’ wondered not to hear in all directions some gentry in attendance, who doubtless reaped As news of the fire spread, crowds flocked savage wish expressed that they had the fate a rich harvest, and did not fail to commit into Westminster. Sightseers besieged of their building, instead of that I did not several desperate outrages.’ Unsurprisingly, nearby bridges, wharves and rooftops, hear one such exclamation, and on the whole, magistrates’ courts soon found themselves while hefty sums were spent procuring the mob was very orderly.’ His account, inundated with new cases: pickpockets laden views from houses along Bridge Street. though, contrasted sharply with that of the with snuff boxes and purses, thieves weighed Thames watermen too made the most of Morning Post, which reported ‘many appeared down with brass fittings purloined from the this unexpected opportunity, charging high to consider [the fire] as a well-merited House of Lords, even members of the public fees to take people on to the river, among visitation, and actually openly expressed their charged with stealing official papers. Most them Henry Hoare and his friend. ‘At 11 we regret that the Lords and Commons were not of the latter would plead not guilty, claiming moved to Westminster Bridge, and took a sitting at the time. We frequently heard such they had merely scooped stray papers boat which rested for nearly an hour against remarks as “There’s a bonfire for the Poor up from the streets as mementoes of the a gravel island in the middle of the river, left Law Bill”.’2 Fearing unrest, the government conflagration. bare owing to the low tide.’ As luck would ordered troops onto the streets, although The fire raged all night. Next day, have it, the Thames that night was unusually they encountered nothing more threatening members of the Royal Family could be seen low, hampering the fire fighters’ efforts. than a man later convicted of ‘being in picking their way through the smouldering

[ 30 ] [ 31 ] 13 Drawing of Neath Abbey by Sir Richard Colt Hoare Bt, 1802 In 1802 Sir Richard Colt Hoare Bt spent seven weeks travelling from one end of Wales to the other. His aim was to recreate a journey undertaken 600 years earlier by two medieval churchmen, Giraldus de Barri and Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury. Over 140 of Richard’s drawings from this tour survive today. But they too had to undertake a significant journey before coming ‘home’ to Fleet Street.

Richard Colt Hoare, eldest son of bank of Wales. Their aim was to garner support Partner Sir Richard Hoare 1st Bt, was born for a new Crusade against Saladin, a cause at Barn Elms, Surrey, in 1758. After a private that would ultimately cost Baldwin his life. education that stopped short of university After entering Wales at New Radnor, the – deemed unnecessary for his career as a two clerics and a retinue of about three banker – he entered the family bank in the hundred spent seven weeks travelling late 1770s. But while his days were spent around the country before crossing back into learning the business of banking, Richard’s England near Chester. Copies of Giraldus’s evenings were devoted to studying the vivid account of their tour, along with the Classics with his tutor, Rev Joseph Eyre. people, the folklore and the hazards they By 1783 Richard was married and his encountered – steep mountains, fast-flowing future seemed assured. Within two years, rivers, quicksand-bedevilled beaches – were however, his world had been turned circulating by 1191, and it remains one of the upside down. First his grandfather, Henry most celebrated of all medieval travelogues. (Magnificent), suddenly relinquished his It was this journey that Richard Colt estates at Stourhead, Wiltshire, in favour Hoare and William Coxe set out to replicate of Richard, ‘an instance of uncommon in May 1802. ‘The object of this Summer’s liberality’1 which nevertheless put paid to his tour,’ Richard wrote in his journal, ‘is to fledgling banking career. Soon afterwards follow the interesting and highly curious Richard suffered a triple tragedy. His wife’s Itinerary of Giraldus Cambrensis through death in August 1785 was followed within North and South Wales … and to make a weeks by those of his newborn son and his collection of drawings to illustrate it.’ Like grandfather. Plunged into grief, Richard Giraldus, the two friends crossed into Wales had just one thing on his mind: escape. at New Radnor. Over the next seven weeks Within weeks he had quit England for the they pursued a similar course, stopping off Sir Richard Colt Hoare (1758–1838) and his son Henry Continent. Much of the next six years were to study and sketch innumerable churches, (1784–1817) by Samuel Woodforde RA (1763–1817) By the end of his tour Richard had Sir Francis Palgrave, novelist Walter Scott Drawings, in Sepia, of Views in Wales to spent criss-crossing France, Switzerland ruins, views and Roman remains along the at Stourhead produced 144 drawings. Two years later and the Kingston upon Hull Subscription illustrate Giraldus’ Itinerary.’ Its price, £75, and above all Italy. His return to England in way. To Richard’s eye, some places seemed © National Trust Images/John Hammond he published an edited (Latin) version of Library. was one of the highest achieved in the entire 1791 was intended to be no more than a brief unaltered since Giraldus’s day. At Tenby, ‘The Giraldus’s Itinerary. Then in late 1805 the Richard went on to publish several other sale, although the purchaser was identified in stopover en route to Spain and Portugal. lake … fishponds etc as described by Giraldus Universal Magazine announced ‘We are happy works, mostly relating to travel, antiquities, the auctioneer’s notes only as ‘Lord D’. But the Peninsular War forced Richard to are easily to be traced.’ But at others, notably to learn, that a very splendid edition, in genealogy and topography. He also became Sometime during the next decade seek distractions closer to home. ‘Wales, Neath Abbey, modern life intruded too English, of that ancient and invaluable work, a noted archaeologist, conducting nearly Richard’s drawings were acquired by another which I had never seen satisfactorily, was much for his liking. ‘The dingey and sombre Giraldus Cambrensis, edited by Sir Richard 400 excavations on Salisbury Plain and antiquarian, Edward Fisher of Newton fixed upon as the object of my pursuit; and appearance of these ruins (caused by the Colt Hoare bart, is now in the press, and will participating in one of the first recorded digs Abbot, Devon. In 1897 Fisher’s widow I had two objects in view: the first, to make neighbouring copper and iron works) at first be published in the course of the ensuing at Stonehenge. Wales, though, continued to bequeathed his extensive library to the Albert a series of views in Monmouthshire for sight prejudiced me much against them, but spring.’4 The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin fascinate him and he visited it regularly for Memorial Museum, Exeter, on condition my friend Mr Coxe’s history of that fine on closer inspection I found a good subject Through Wales, AD MCLXXXVIII by Giraldus many years. that it would never be sold, exchanged or country – the second to follow the [itinerary] for my pencil in each separate front.’ Not that de Barri; translated into English, and illustrated In 1814 Richard had the drawings from his broken up. Bookplates confirm that the of Giraldus through the Principality.’2 Coxe’s Richard dwelt entirely in the past. Like most with views, annotations and a life of Giraldus 1802 tour handsomely bound in red morocco drawings entered the Museum’s collections Historical Tour of Monmouthshire, illustrated by travellers of his time, he was unable to resist a duly appeared in May 1806. Published in edged, appropriately enough, with Welsh as part of the ‘Fisher Library’. But in 2012 Richard, duly appeared in 1800. That same picturesque view. ‘Pembroke,’ he wrote, ‘may two volumes and featuring nearly sixty of dragons picked out in gold. For the next certain items, including Richard’s drawings, year Richard published a slim volume of his be considered as a rich treat to the artist and Richard’s drawings as well as several hand- seventy years this volume lay undisturbed were de-accessioned and sold. Although own, a description of the house and garden antiquarian. The ruins are grand and truly coloured maps, The Itinerary was favourably in the library at Stourhead, before the contrary to Mrs Fisher’s wishes, Exeter’s at Stourhead. But he had not lost sight of picturesque.’ Nor was he averse to making received. The Edinburgh Review called it agricultural depression of the 1870s-80s decision has enabled this invaluable piece his more ambitious project, an annotated a detour if it afforded him an opportunity ‘a splendid present to Wales,’ while the forced Richard’s great-nephew, Sir Henry of history to complete its own journey and translation of Giraldus’s Itinerary. to study newfangled agricultural methods. Monthly Review judged that ‘Men of taste, Ainslie Hoare 5th Bt, into selling many of the return home to the Hoare family. As every Welsh schoolchild knows, Shortly after leaving Hereford, therefore, ‘we and lovers of curious information … will feel house’s treasures. During the summer of 1883 Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury and deviated … in order to see the farm and stock very sensible gratitude to the accomplished a total of 1,971 items from the library went his chaplain Giraldus de Barri set out in of Mr S. Tulley, famous for having the finest editor of the collections now before us.’ under the hammer at Sotheby’s, among them Lent 1188 on an arduous preaching tour breed of cattle in Herefordshire.’3 Early purchasers would include historian Lot 791, described as a ‘Series of 144 Original

[ 32 ] [ 33 ] 14 Advertisement for Staff Restaurants Ltd, 1950s Quality catering is a feature of life at Hoare’s Bank. But how far back does this tradition date? The answer can be found within the bank’s archive.

When Richard Hoare started trading as a and three housemaids. The housekeeper, By the 1790s the bank’s ten clerks had clerks’ dining room a strict hierarchy was goldsmith/banker in the 1670s he probably Elizabeth Davies, was responsible for been allocated their own dining room. This observed. The Senior Clerk sat at the head employed just one clerk and/or an appren- managing an annual budget of more than though was not without its drawbacks. of the table, the most junior at the foot, and tice, who would have lived with him and £500, and for years she meticulously In 1796 Senior Partner Henry Hoare the others placed themselves according to his family as part of the household. But recorded every farthing in a series of weekly (Mitcham) felt compelled to issue a decree: length of service in between. Henry John by the time he died in 1719 the bank was and quarterly account books. ‘It is my Intention, and my Directions to my Tilden, who joined the bank in 1863, recalled staffed by three or four clerks, two or three Like her predecessor Margaret Edwards, Housekeeper are, to provide Plenty, & that that ‘Four bottles of wine were supplied messengers and several domestic servants. Mrs Davies made regular payments to of the best kind; for this reason I entirely each day, 2 of sherry & 2 of port, & before Responsibility for feeding all these people, as local tradesmen for staple foods. However, disapprove of any thing being ordered or you tasted your wine it was the strict rule well as the Hoare family, would have rested improved farming methods meant she no brought into the House, but by the Person that you should drink the health of your with Richard’s cook, Margaret Edwards. At longer had to lay down a store of preserved who has the Care of it, & whatever is served colleagues & the Chairman … Two of the £6 p.a., her wages paled into insignificance meat each autumn; instead, she could upon Table must in future be procured Porters waited at table & if the Balance was next to the Senior Clerk’s salary – he received purchase freshly slaughtered joints as by her only, neither do I permit wine or agreed before the dinner was over one of £30 p.a. and an additional £20 ‘extraordinary required. Beef, pork, mutton, veal and any other Liquor more than is provided the Porters from downstairs was sent up to Sallary’ (ie bonus). But Margaret’s position venison all feature in her accounts, along to be sent for.’2 At the same time, Henry make the announcement “Gentlemen, the had some perks of its own, not least the right with chicken, larks and even the occasional barred his clerks from inviting guests to Balance is right” and always received from to sell an assortment of kitchen leftovers, hare or wild turkey. By this time too bread dine at the banking house on Sundays and the Chairman a glass of wine for his pains.’5 including cinders, dripping and bones. could be bought ready baked, along with railed against waste. ‘Unnecessary Waste After dinner, a tray of bread and butter would The stalwart ingredient of most early muffins and sugary treats such as biscuits at all times culpable, is more particularly appear in the Counting House and a large eighteenth century meals was meat, whether and gingerbread. so in Times of Scarcity & of this there is copper kettle was placed on the fire for tea, stewed, roasted, boiled or stuffed into pies. The accounts also highlight another some reason to complain.’ A series of poor although tradition dictated that the tea itself A lack of winter fodder, however, meant that innovation: regional specialities such harvests from 1789, culminating in the had to be provided by whichever junior clerk comparatively little livestock could be kept as Wiltshire ham, Durham mustard, disastrous harvest of 1795, had resulted was on duty that evening. year round. Those who could afford to do Gloucester cheese and Epping butter (made in food shortages, the near doubling of In addition to these day to day dinners, so therefore became accustomed to buying from the milk of cows left free to roam in grain prices and sporadic rioting across the special occasions such as a Partner’s marriage several animals each autumn, arranging for Epping Forest and highly prized for its country. or the birth of an heir were celebrated their slaughter and preserving the meat for flavour), which England’s rapidly improving A new grievance surfaced in 1830. with a grander meal. Nothing, however, use throughout the winter. This practice is road network brought within reach of ‘Another Circumstance has lately been in their favour or line their pockets with surpassed the Michaelmas Balance Dinner. borne out by the bank’s household accounts, London’s markets for the first time. On made known to Messrs H. which is, that kickbacks from tradesmen – his honesty. One Throughout the last days of September, a which in August 1720 recorded a payment top of all this, Mrs Davies could count on the Clerks’ Table is frequently served with former employer declared him to be ‘perfectly feverish atmosphere would engulf the bank of £6–17–0 to a Mr Suffield for two heifers, regular hampers packed with mutton, pork, Meat of an inferior Quality & consequently honest, sober, & cleanly, active & intelligent as Partners and staff worked deep into the followed a few weeks later by a further bread, garden greens, charcoal and freshly not what it ought to be; this must be owing … a good manager,’ while the late Bishop of night, casting, copying, examining and payment of £17–1–0 to Farmer James for laundered linen from bank Partner Richard to some Fault in the Butcher who furnishes Durham’s secretary wrote ‘I have no doubt calling over until – eventually – the annual twenty sheep.1 Hoare’s new country house at Barn Elms, the Meat, or in the Housekeeper whose about his honesty … He had not the entire balance was made. There then would follow Other staple foods – bacon, cheese and Surrey. Business it is to inspect the Meat; for it has superintendence of the Establishment, but a celebratory dinner or ‘set out’, attended flour – dominated the day to day accounts, These changes made the household diet been invariably the Rule that the Clerks’ only “ruled the Roast” in the Kitchen, as by the clerks, the Partners and the Senior as did an impressive array of drinks: sherry, noticeably richer. Butter and cream loomed Table should be provided with the very best there was a House Steward besides – At the Partner’s wife. Tilden noted that on those brandy, small beer, ale, Florence and Malabar large and payments to pastry cooks and Articles.’3 Soon afterwards the Hoares same time, I believe it was his province to evenings the champagne flowed freely. wines, Bristol water, chocolate and cowslip confectioners became more frequent. One adopted the practice of employing a married order in the supplies of meat etc … & I never ‘Somehow or other the staff got through their tea. One of the household’s biggest expenses unaltered feature, however, was the seasonal couple to act as Steward/Housekeeper for heard him charged with extravagance.’4 work after dinner but it was conducted with was sugar, although its price would soon nature of the menus. Broccoli, red cabbage, their Fleet Street household. Between them Domestic life at Hoare’s during the next much … merriment.’ tumble as supplies started pouring in from turnips and potatoes dominated the winter they were expected to manage both the few decades followed a familiar routine. The By 1910 junior clerks were no longer the Caribbean. But perhaps few payments accounts, while the summer ones abounded household budget and a domestic staff made clerks ate breakfast between 8.30am and required to live in. This, coupled with the offer a more tantalising taste of early with strawberries, cherries and gooseberries. up of a cook, three maids, three porters 9am and lunch in two half hour sittings from outbreak of war a few years later, signalled eighteenth century kitchen life than those Cleanliness too remained a constant battle, and two footmen. References for Joseph 1pm to 2pm. The culinary highlight of the the end of the daily dinners. But although made to John Gaines (5s) for cleaning the resulting in innumerable payments to the Goodson, appointed Steward in 1841, day though was dinner, served immediately lunch has replaced dinner as the working roasting Jack and Joseph Bowden (5 guineas) pewter scourer, the chimney sweep, the emphasised his civility, sobriety, steadiness after the doors closed at 5pm and attended day’s focal point and the Michaelmas Balance for a consignment of pewter. washerwoman and the charwoman, who and – equally important in the days when by all clerks except the two assigned to the ‘set out’ has been superseded by the annual By the 1750s the bank’s domestic staff took on the dirtier, more backbreaking tasks it was not uncommon for Stewards and Balance and a junior charged with copying Christmas lunch, the values that underpin consisted of a housekeeper, butler, cook such as scrubbing the stone floors. Housekeepers to manipulate the accounts and posting the day’s letters. Within the each custom remain unaltered.

[ 34 ] [ 35 ] 15 Surrey Iron Railway Co. share certificate, 1806 While Stephenson’s Rocket and the Stockton & Darlington Railway are synonymous with the birth of the railways, few people have heard of the Surrey Iron Railway. Yet it was the world’s first public railway. And one of its earliest backers was bank Partner Henry Hoare (Mitcham).

The Surrey Iron Railway emerged out of Eagle Inn, Wandsworth, during which a brought into London from as far afield as proposals to build two canals along the Committee of thirty men was appointed Ireland – such a line would enable troops and Wandle Valley, linking Croydon with the to steer the project through to completion. stores to be transported from Woolwich to Thames at Deptford. Supporters argued the Among them was the bank’s Senior Partner, Spithead in a single day, an overwhelmingly canals would allow goods to be moved in and Henry Hoare, who owned several mills and attractive proposition at a time when Britain out of the capital quickly and cheaply and a country house, Mitcham Grove, beside was at war with France. Shareholders too enable households in Croydon, Streatham, the Wandle. would benefit. According to the Surrey Iron Sydenham and Dulwich to be supplied Initial estimates put the cost of the railway Railway Co.’s calculations, the increase in with piped water. But not everyone was in at £24,000, although this was later revised to freight traffic would yield an annual £300 per favour. Wandsworth wharfingers feared for £35,000 after it was decided to add a branch mile in tolls, generating a return of 10%. their livelihoods and there was widespread line to Carshalton. To fund its construction, In October 1802 the Surrey Iron Railway concern at the detrimental effect the canals shares priced at £100 apiece were offered to Co. met to inspect plans for a line to Reigate, might have on the river Wandle. ‘Next to the investors. Henry Hoare’s private accounts with a collateral branch to Godstone, [Thames] the [Wandle] is the most important show that he purchased five shares, paying generally regarded as the first step towards to the metropolis of all the streams in its an initial deposit (£15) in February 1800 extending the line to Portsmouth. Once vicinity, since … it drives above fifty mills; followed by further instalments, never again, it was agreed to raise an initial £35,000 and never being frozen over within the exceeding £50 (10%), over the next couple of through the sale of £100 shares. Several memory of man, it furnishes the best security years. At the same time he invested £500 in London banking houses were authorised to to London for a supply of flour in seasons of the Croydon Canal. receive payments, including Messrs Barclay, long-continued frost, when the Thames, the Construction began almost immediately Tritton & Co., Messrs Weston, Pinhorn & Co. canals, and all the other streams are locked and by June 1802 the press was reporting and Messrs Hoare, along with local bankers up. It is a pretty hazardous project … to significant progress; ‘several hundred [horse- in Portsmouth, Gosport, Chichester, Lewes, divest the sources of such a river!’1 When the drawn] carriages of all descriptions passed Guildford, Southampton, Brighton, Arundel plans were put to engineer William Jessop in over the iron rails [at Wandsworth] without and the Isle of Wight. An account opened at 1799 he too cautioned against such a scheme. meeting with the least obstacle.’2 A year later, Hoare’s Bank that month took in £3,655 from He did, however, suggest an alternative. An on 26th July 1803, the Surrey Iron Railway investors over the next two years. Among iron railway. opened for business. Fees were set at 1d per those to put their names down at Hoare’s Slough to Paddington in 1842 railway or mismanaged companies had begun to Even in 1799 railways were not an entirely ton per mile for dung, 2d per ton per mile were Henry (Mitcham), who purchased an speculation had Britain firmly in its grasp. surface, and as the true cost of construction new idea. Wooden tramways had been in for lime, ashes, sand, bricks, stone, clay and additional £500 worth of shares, and James Between 1842 and 1846 the number of dawned on the railway companies they started use since the 1600s, while from the mid chalk and 3d per chaldron per mile for coal. Smithson, a self-made man whose fortune railway companies increased six-fold to issuing calls for the remaining share monies 1700s stone plateways laid with iron rails Additionally, a toll of 3d per ton was levied would fund the Smithsonian Institution. nearly 300, while share prices soared by up owed to them. Inevitably, the bubble burst. had become a common sight in collieries and on all goods entering or leaving Wandsworth Royal Assent for the Croydon, Merstham to 167%. Favourable economic conditions – Share prices collapsed, thousands saw their ironworks. But the proprietors of the Surrey basin. & Godstone Iron Railway was granted in rising industrial output and falling interest savings wiped out and the press reported (in Iron Railway Co. had a more radical plan The benefits soon became apparent. Goods May 1803. Three months later shares totalling rates – coupled with a burgeoning middle lurid detail) countless tales of suicide and in mind – a nine mile double-track railroad could be moved in and out of London without £400,000 were made available to subscribers. class eager for opportunities to invest its destitution. running from the canal basin at Wandsworth, delay, while towns and villages within easy But the vision of a line stretching from spare cash, combined to fuel the frenzy. Despite the pain this short-lived mania via Tooting and Mitcham, to a similar basin reach of the line were able to purchase coal, London to Portsmouth never materialised. Seduced by the apparent ease with which for railway speculation caused, it did enable at Croydon, open to anyone with goods to bricks and other supplies at reduced rates. By the time it reached Godstone in 1805 it was possible to become shareholders, a several thousand miles of track to be built. transport upon payment of a fixed fee. Landowners too profited. ‘In the Parish of the funding had dried up. Nor did investors deposit of 10% being all that was required, Nor did the crash put an end to further ‘A Bill for making and maintaining a Wandsworth, About 200 acres of land in high see any return on their outlay. Share values and spurred on by assurances of negligible construction. By 1900, nearly 20,000 miles Railway from the Town of Wandsworth cultivation, fit for the immediate entry of a steadily declined until the late 1830s, when the risk and quick profits, many people plunged of railway track had snaked its way across the to the Town of Croydon, with a Collateral Farmer or Gardiner … about five miles from entire line was sold to the London & Brighton their entire life savings into railway share landscape, from Cornwall to the Highlands, Branch into the Parish of Carshalton, and London, near the Thames, having the Surrey Railway Co. deposits. Leveraging was rife and at times overcoming innumerable mountains, lochs, a Navigable Communication between Iron Railway pass through part of it.’3 Despite its relatively short life, the Surrey blatantly encouraged; ‘Persons possessing rivers and peatbogs along the way. And railway the River Thames and the Railway at Buoyed by this success, the Surrey Iron Iron Railway proved to be a glimpse of the only sufficient capital to pay the deposit may building had become big business. British Wandsworth, all in the County of Surrey’ was Railway Co.’s proprietors set their sights on future, albeit one driven by steam rather than more than double it in a day.’4 locomotives, rolling stock and engineering laid before Parliament in February 1801 and an even more ambitious project: an extension horsepower. The Stockton & Darlington ‘All the Clerks are cautioned against expertise were in demand the world over, received Royal Assent three months later. of the line to Portsmouth. Besides the obvious Railway (1825) sparked a railway building speculating in Railway shares etc,’ warned while much of the capital required to fund On 4th June the Surrey Iron Railway Co.’s economic benefits – regular supplies of fresh boom and by the time Queen Victoria the Hoares in December 1845.5 It was construction was raised on London’s proprietors held a meeting at the Spread fish, meat, butter, eggs and poultry could be embarked on her first train journey from too late, however. Reports of fraudulent financial markets.

[ 36 ] [ 37 ] 16 Jane Austen’s bank account, 1816–17 In 2017 the Bank of England unveiled a new £10 note featuring the much loved novelist Jane Austen. The second entry, on 23rd March, was a century saw Jane’s popularity soar. A well- numerous anonymous subscribers. ‘Admirer’ Jane was a customer of Hoare’s Bank during 1816–17. But her family connections span a much wider period, credit of £210 by publisher Richard Bentley. received memoir written by her nephew, gave 1s 6d, ‘ED a Widow’ 2s 6d. But contrary A short time previously Bentley had started James Edward Austen-Leigh, in 1870, to expectation, after eighteen months the from the 1690s until the dawn of the twentieth century. issuing single volume editions of recent prompted Bentley to reprint all six novels, Fund’s total stood at just £187–3–6. The press works in a series called Standard Novels. thus introducing the Dashwoods, Bertrams, was scathing. ‘An age that admires cheap Among them were books by the likes of Woodhouses, Bennets et al to a whole new and sensational literature and swallows it Maria Edgeworth and Fanny Burney (both audience. And with the publication in 1884 greedily cannot be expected to appreciate one Hoare’s Bank customers), Mary Shelley and of a collection of Jane’s letters, edited by her whose style was so essentially quiet.’1 Lady James Fenimore Cooper. In return for £210, great-nephew Lord Brabourne, her fame Constance Leslie, meanwhile, expressed Jane Austen’s own story is as well known the two youngest were forging successful Cassandra agreed to relinquish the rights spread still further. surprise. ‘If a measure of gratitude for as any of her novels. Born at Steventon, Naval careers, while the middle brother had to all her sister’s novels except Pride and By the 1890s, Jane’s new-found popularity enjoyment received could be laid down the Hampshire, in 1775, one of Rev George set himself up as a banker. From the early Prejudice, which was still owned by Thomas had led to calls for a memorial window to whole floor of the Cathedral should be paved Austen’s eight children, she began writing in 1800s, Austen, Maunde & Tilson traded Egerton. After securing the rights to Pride be installed near her grave in Winchester with gold in recognition of a genius whose her teens and by the age of twenty-one had from a London office and opened several and Prejudice for £40, Bentley set about Cathedral. To raise the necessary funds – kindly wisdom, deliciously witty touch, and produced the first drafts of what would even- branches across Hampshire. Business reissuing all six novels. Sense and Sensibility £600 for a large window in the Lady Chapel pure literary style have given thousands so tually become Sense and Sensibility and Pride boomed during the long war with France. appeared in January 1833 and was quickly or £301 for a smaller one in the Nave – a very much refreshing pleasure and benefit. and Prejudice. Early attempts to have her work But the slump that followed the war’s abrupt followed by four further volumes (Northanger public subscription was launched in February Can nothing be done to make the scheme published, however, were unsuccessful. Pride end in June 1815 led to the bank’s collapse in Abbey and Persuasion being published 1898. Contributors were invited to send more widely known?’2 By January 1900 the and Prejudice was rejected unseen, and while a March 1816. together). At 6s each they were much cheaper donations of no more than five guineas total had crept up to £298–1–0, thanks largely third novel, Susan (later Northanger Abbey) was A few weeks after the failure of Austen, than the usual price for a novel at that time. to the Fund’s bankers, Messrs Hoare. to a donation of £65 from Jane Austen’s accepted by a publisher in 1803, it too failed Maunde & Tilson, Jane’s mother opened an Significantly too, they bore Jane’s name for Heading the list of subscribers was the American biographer, Oscar Fay Adams, to make it into print. But Jane’s persistence account at Hoare’s Bank. To Mrs Austen, the first time. bank’s Senior Partner, Charles Hoare (£5). who presumably had drummed up support finally paid off in 1811 when Thomas Egerton Hoare’s must have seemed a natural choice. Sales of Jane Austen’s works in the Others included the Earl of Rosebery (£5); among Jane’s growing band of transatlantic agreed to publish Sense and Sensibility. Buoyed Her own family, the Leighs, had been Standard Novels series were steady rather Lord Tennyson, son of the poet (£2–2–0); admirers. Six months later, a donation of by positive reviews and earnings of £140, banking there since the 1690s, while her late than spectacular. They did, however, attract Ralph Disraeli, brother of Pride and Prejudice three guineas by Messrs Hoare meant that Jane set about writing a new novel, Mansfield husband had maintained an account for forty some distinguished admirers. Rudyard devotee Benjamin (£1–1–0); artist Sir Francis the £301 target was finally achieved. Park, and revising a long-neglected one, Pride years. In due course, five of Jane’s six brothers Kipling, Alfred Tennyson and Benjamin Seymour Haden, whose surgeon father Today the memorial window attracts and Prejudice. would also hold accounts at Hoare’s, along Disraeli were all avid fans. Indeed, the latter had treated Jane’s brother Henry back in visitors to Winchester Cathedral from Pride and Prejudice was published on 28th with numerous uncles, aunts, nieces and claimed to have read Pride and Prejudice 1815 (£2–2–0), and the Foreign Secretary, around the world and forms an indispensable January 1813, priced at 18s for a three volume nephews. But by the time Jane opened her Stipple engraving of Jane Austen, published by seventeen times. But the late nineteenth Arthur Balfour (£2–2–0). There were also part of the Jane Austen tourist trail. set. Newspaper advertisements show it account in July 1816 her health was in decline. Richard Bentley, after Cassandra Austen, 1870 jostling for attention amid an eclectic array The customer ledger shows three credits – NPG D13873 © National Portrait Gallery, London of titles: Sermons for Parochial and Domestic Dividends on the Navy 5% Stocks she had Use, The Elements of the Science of Money, The invested the bulk of her earnings in – and one Companion to the London Dissector and Walter debit – the withdrawal in September 1817 of 5,700 Consolidated 3% Stocks and 400 Scott’s Rokeby. Two more novels, Mansfield those same Dividends, totalling £45, by her Bank Stocks, which between them generated Park (1814) and Emma (1815), followed sister and executrix Cassandra. £198 p.a., twice the basic salary of a junior before Jane’s untimely death in 1817, and a Cassandra Austen was a constant presence clerk at Hoare’s. Ten years later, Cassandra’s further two, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, in Jane’s life. The only girls amidst a sea investments had increased still further and appeared soon after. But while her novels of brothers, they were friends, allies and she was becoming more adventurous in her were admired and sold reasonably well, confidantes from their earliest days. Much of dealings, putting money into Brazilian Bonds they brought Jane neither fame nor fortune. what we know about Jane derives from their as well as the more traditional Bank Stocks. Her name never appeared on any of them, correspondence, in which they discussed Indeed, so successful was she at husbanding ‘By a Lady’ being the only clue as to their everything from finance to fashion, and the her resources that on her death in 1845 the authorship, and her total earnings did not only positively identified portrait of Jane is bank calculated her probate at £16,000. exceed £700. Pride and Prejudice netted her a sketch by Cassandra, now owned by the Two of the more significant entries in just £110. National Portrait Gallery. The two sisters Cassandra’s account appear in 1833. The Money worries were to dog Jane Austen even opened their accounts at Hoare’s on the first, on 15th January, was a credit of £5,000 for much of her adult life. Her father’s death same day. Unlike Jane, however, Cassandra’s by Mrs Jane Perrot. Mrs Perrot, wife of in 1805 left her, along with her mother and relationship with Hoare’s would last nearly Cassandra’s maternal uncle, James Leigh, sister, dependent on family members. One three decades. had been contributing £100 p.a. towards of Jane’s brothers, Edward, who had been Cassandra’s account is for the most part the Austen women’s housekeeping expenses adopted by a wealthy relative, gave them the unremarkable. There are numerous payments since 1806 and had settled £1,000 on use of a cottage on his estate at Chawton, to relatives – brothers, nephews and nieces Cassandra’s mother in 1823. The ledger gives Hampshire, and joined with three other – and occasional payments for goods such as no explanation for the £5,000 settled on her brothers to provide an income of £200 p.a. Twinings’ tea. But it does show that over time niece ten years later, but the full sum was By then, of course, the Austen brothers were Cassandra’s income increased significantly. promptly invested in Reduced Annuities, mostly established in life. The eldest had In 1816 she held just 1,100 Navy 5% Stocks, removing any lingering financial worries succeeded his father as Rector of Steventon, yielding £55 p.a. But by 1827 she had amassed Cassandra may have harboured at a stroke.

[ 38 ] [ 39 ] 17 Settlement on the marriage of Richard Colt Hoare and Hon Hester Lyttelton, 1783 ‘By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law: that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during her marriage, or at least is incorporated or consolidated into that of her husband, under whose wing, protection and cover, she performs everything.’ (Commentaries on the Laws of England, William Blackstone, 1766)

Until the latter part of the nineteenth century Staplehurst, Kent, which were put in trust for families be invested in lands and estates common law decreed that a married woman Richard’s use during his lifetime, ‘then to the to fund Jane’s jointure. This prompted the had no legal identity of her own. As a result, use and behoofe of Dame Susanna during her purchase of Stourton Manor and a number any real property she possessed at the time lifetime in part of her jointure but not to barr of smaller properties nearby. Following of her marriage was supposed to pass to her her from any third or dower … she may have Henry’s death in 1725, the house he had built husband for his lifetime, while any personal claim by the Custom of the Citty of London,’1 there, Stourhead, duly became Jane’s for property – such as jewellery or earnings – before finally passing to the couple’s eldest life, along with a rental income of £543 p.a. was to become his outright. For his part, a son and his heirs. The remaining rents passed to the couple’s husband was expected (though not obliged) Although Staplehurst would remain in elder son, Henry (Magnificent), although he to maintain his wife in a style befitting her the family for the next 200 years, the Hoares’ was unable to take possession of the house status. During medieval times common law most significant property was Stourhead, until his mother’s death in 1742. Thereafter, had at least afforded some protection to Wiltshire. When Richard’s second son Henry Stourhead played a prominent role in the widows, giving them the right to one third (Good) married Jane Benson in 1702, their family’s marriage settlements, with each of their husbands’ estates for life or until marriage settlement stipulated that all but generation being allocated an income from they remarried. By the 1600s, however, this £2,000 of the £12,000 put up by the two the estates but not the power to sell or custom had died out, although the City of London retained the practice until 1726. To secure a bride’s future, therefore, both as wife and widow, families routinely resorted to marriage settlements. In its simplest form, a marriage settlement merely acknowledged receipt of a bride’s dowry and specified the terms of her jointure – a lump sum or annuity to be paid in the event of widowhood. During the sixteenth century, however, more complex documents known as ‘strict settlements’ began to emerge. Strict settlements not only safeguarded a bride’s future by spelling out what pin money (annual allowance) and jointure she was to receive, but also sought to preserve a family’s wealth, often bound up in property or land, for future generations. Under the terms of a strict settlement, one or more named properties were made over to trustees, leaving their owners as tenants for life. The same document also stipulated who was to inherit the property, usually the eldest son and his male heirs, and what sums any daughters or younger sons were entitled to. Surviving documents make it clear that at the time of his marriage in 1672 the bank’s founder, Richard Hoare, had promised to sell various leasehold properties in London’s West Smithfield and Cock Lane ‘for the best price that could be reasonably gott’ and purchase freehold lands in or near London with an annual rental value of £100-£150 as a jointure for his wife Susanna. This led to Hon Hester Lyttelton, Mrs Richard Colt Hoare (d 1785) by Samuel Woodforde RA (1763–1817) the acquisition of several parcels of land at © National Trust Images

[ 40 ] bequeath them. When Richard Colt Hoare bring them off could be difficult, particularly the purchase of land or government stocks. married Hon Hester Lyttelton in 1783, for if their property was bound up in settlements. The rest was set aside ‘to defray the Expences example, the marriage settlement gave In 1770 Lord Ilchester borrowed £3,000 of the intended marriage Establishment.’6 Richard an annual allowance of £3,500 and to help secure his daughter’s marriage, Interestingly, Henry Merrik observed the old fixed Hester’s jointure at £1,000 p.a. while in 1778 lawyer Edward Woodcock common law tradition of dower, promising Besides securing a bride’s future, wrote to Henry (Magnificent) requesting a Sophia one third of any rentals he might be in marriage settlements also served to protect £25,000 advance to facilitate his daughter’s receipt of at the time of his death in addition any property, real or personal, she might match with Sir John Shelby. The settlement, to a lump sum of £2,000. This, though, paled bring with her. No family wanted to see its Woodcock explained, involved various into insignificance compared with Sophia’s hard-won fortune dissipated by a profligate exchanges of land and money which would be fortune: £40,000 Consolidated 3% Bank son-in-law or lost to stepchildren, while a ‘very difficult to obtain but by the Friendship Annuities and the prospect of substantial widow contemplating remarriage would be of a Banking house … Your distinguished legacies from her mother and aunt. All of anxious to safeguard her assets, whether Parental Affection, at the same time it feels which Sophia retained complete control land, a business, cash or family jewels, my Anxiety for the Success of a Scheme over. The £40,000 Consols were put in trust for any children by her previous husband. so Essential to my happiness in the Close alongside Henry Merrik’s £5,000, with the Placing a woman’s property in the hands of of Life, will receive it as an excuse for the proviso that the first £400 p.a. be Sophia’s, trustees allowed her to exercise complete trouble of this Application.’4 ‘for her sole separate and peculiar use and control over it during her marriage and As Woodcock hinted, Henry (Magnificent) benefit exclusively of the said Henry Merrik dispose of it as she saw fit. When Henry knew all about raising money for marriage Hoare … and without being in any wise (Good)’s younger son Richard married settlements, having provided three dowries subject to his debts, control, interference or Sarah Tully, daughter of a prosperous totalling nearly £70,000 in the space of engagements.’ Any interest over and above attorney, in 1732, his bride brought with eight years. When his elder daughter married this £400 would go to Henry Merrik during her an estimated fortune of £20,000. The Viscount Dungarvan, son of the Earl of Cork his lifetime, then revert to Sophia should she marriage settlement, a complex document & Orrery, in 1753, she took with her £25,000 outlive him. Additionally, the couple also covering seven skins of vellum, ensured in cash, £1,000 for clothes, £3,000 worth entered into a Settlement of Paraphernalia that her extensive properties in Berkshire, of her late mother’s jewels and the use of stipulating that all ‘plate, linen, china and Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Middlesex, along Henry’s house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields for life. books and the jewels, trinkets and other with several thousand pounds in South Sea Three years later, Henry had to find another personal ornaments now belonging to the Stocks, were placed in a trust, the income £20,000 to fund his younger daughter’s said Sophia Thrale should … be retained of which was to belong to Sarah during her marriage to her cousin Richard. Then in 1761 used, worn and enjoyed by the said Sophia lifetime before passing firstly to Richard, the widowed Lady Dungarvan married once Thrale for her sole and separate use and to should he outlive her, and then to their eldest again. Although this time Henry officially be disposed of by her at her free will and son. Following Sarah’s death just four years supplied just £10,000, his private accounts pleasure.’ later, this income did indeed pass to Richard indicate he furnished his new son-in-law with As the nineteenth century progressed, and ultimately to their only child, Richard an additional £13,000. women gradually acquired more control over (later 1st Bt). When Richard remarried, By the nineteenth century, an increasing their property. The Divorce and Matrimonial therefore, the settlement drawn up on that number of marriage settlements were less Causes Act (1857) gave divorced or legally occasion had to accommodate his previous about land and more about other assets such separated women power over their property marriage, his infant son and his new bride as stocks and shares. Not that this made once more, while the Married Woman’s – ‘a beautiful young Lady of great Merit, them any less convoluted. When Henry Property Act (1870) allowed women to keep fine Accomplishments, and a considerable Merrik Hoare married brewer Henry Thrale’s any earnings or property they might acquire Fortune.’2 daughter Sophia in 1807 the lawyers were during their marriage. Finally, the Married Marriage without some sort of settlement kept busy for weeks preparing the requisite Woman’s Property Act (1882) permitted was at best foolhardy. Eloping heiresses settlements. On 21st July Sophia assured her women to retain any property, real or could lose everything to unscrupulous stepfather that Henry Merrik ‘would most personal, that they owned at the time of their fortune hunters; couples who married willingly accelerate the Marriage as much as marriage. Thereafter, marriage settlements without independent means or their families’ possible, but where Lawyers are concerned became less common. But recent years blessing risked alienating the very people you know, that is not always to be done.’5 Ten have witnessed a renewed interest in the they relied on most. Jonathan Watson wrote days later she was able to inform her mother concept of marriage settlements, with law from Virginia in 1772 to inform the bank of ‘I think [the wedding] will take place early firms reporting a sharp rise in the number his eldest son’s marriage, ‘which does not in the Week after next, as the Writings are of couples entering into pre or post-nuptial at all incline me to augment his allowance nearly finished. It is impossible for anyone to agreements. for tho’ I like his Choice well enough if it have behaved more liberally than Mr Hoare had been some years hence, & He in a good has done, and I have every Reason to think Way of Business, yet as she has so little now myself highly fortunate in having gained the Richard Colt Hoare by unknown artist, c.1780 in hand, tho’ with good Expectations I am Affections of so amiable a Man.’ forc’d to send for them over hither.’3 But for Under the terms of their settlement, families anxious to engineer advantageous Henry Merrik agreed to put up £10,000, matches, scraping together enough cash to half of which was made over to trustees for

[ 43 ] 18 Admittance ticket for a Sermon in aid of the Hospitals for the Small Pox and Inoculation, 1775 to say, charities vied with each other to constant supply of fresh turtle soup. It even the Royal Jennerian Society for the engage the most charismatic or distinguished boasted a celebrity chef, John Farley, author Extermination of the Small Pox and the On 6th April 1775 the Governors of the Hospitals for the Small Pox and Inoculation held their Annual Feast at the London preachers. Music too was a great draw. The of the bestselling London Art of Cookery, National Vaccine Establishment, both of Tavern, Bishopsgate Street. Three days later the Bishop of Peterborough preached a sermon at St Paul’s Church, Covent Small Pox Hospital’s Annual Sermon of 1758, and Housekeeper’s Complete Assistant (1783). which maintained subscription accounts at Garden, in aid of the same institution. Typical eighteenth century fundraising initiatives, but effective: between them they for example, featured ‘a full Band of Vocal Alongside recipes ranging from Stewed Hoare’s. Like variolation a century earlier, and Instrumental music to perform the Te Lampreys to Sugared Roses, Farley’s book however, vaccination was not without its raised several hundred pounds. Deum, and an Anthem composed by G. F. outlined various ‘Elegant Ornaments for a critics. Anti-vaccination societies sprang Handel Esq, not used on any other Occasion Grand Entertainment,’ including a Chinese up across the country, particularly after but this, under the direction of Mr Stanley.’5 temple concocted from baked sugar paste compulsory vaccination was introduced A scourge since ancient times, smallpox so safe and certain. Each … Nut an exact finances were underpinned by subscriptions. Another lucrative fundraiser was the and “Moonshine”, a quivering fantasy of for children under fourteen in 1853. Some continued to strike fear into the hearts of quantity of pure medicine incorporated in For five guineas per annum anyone could Annual Feast. Usually held around the moulded calf’s foot jelly and cochineal-tinged alleged vaccination caused consumption eighteenth century Londoners. Highly choice Gingerbread, and as grateful to the become a Governor; a one-off payment of date of a charity’s anniversary, they were blancmange. Such grandeur lent the Annual and syphilis. Others felt parents should contagious, it killed a third of those it palate.’3 thirty guineas made them a Governor for organised by a group of nominated Stewards, Feasts an air of occasion, but they also made have the right to choose whether or not to affected and showed scant regard for wealth No cure has ever been found for smallpox. life. Governorship gave subscribers a say in who divided the cost amongst themselves, sound financial sense. For once the guests have their children vaccinated. There was or class. Mary II succumbed to smallpox in But by the 1720s a form of inoculation, the institution’s management as well as the thus ensuring that all money raised on had been suitably regaled with food, wine, also widespread resentment at the cost of 1695 and a further five European monarchs known as variolation, had spread to England right to nominate a set number of patients for the day went directly to the charity. Henry speeches and songs, the collecting plate vaccination and a nagging suspicion that would suffer a similar fate during the century from the Ottoman Empire. Variolation admission. Although not a cause the Hoare (Magnificent)’s accounts show that he would make its appearance. In 1775 the ‘Vaccination was supported by doctors that followed. The after effects too could deliberately infected an otherwise healthy family subscribed to regularly, both Henry paid £11–10s as his share of the Stewards’ Small Pox Hospital’s Annual Feast raised an because it put money in their purse.’7 be devastating. Some survivors were left person by inserting dried smallpox scabs (Magnificent) and his brother Richard did expenses for the Small Pox Hospital’s Feast impressive £540–3s.6 The Hospitals for the Small Pox and blinded or partially sighted. Nearly all were under the skin to induce a mild form of the acquire life governorship in September 1752. of 1763. Tickets for the 1775 Feast (5s) could By 1797 the Small Pox Hospital was Inoculation survived well into the twentieth disfigured by deep pitted scars. One only has disease. Once recovered, the individual By then, however, smallpox had acquired a be purchased from the Hospital’s secretary admitting nearly 500 cases of natural century and the disease proved equally to read newspaper descriptions of wanted was immune for life. Inoculation was not painful significance for them. For earlier that or from various Coffee Houses, including smallpox each year and carrying out nearly resilient. Some 300 million lives were lost to men to realise how familiar a sight pock entirely risk free, however. A small number year it had claimed the life of Henry’s last Garraway’s in Exchange Alley and the 1,500 inoculations. But change was afoot. smallpox after 1900. But in 1966 a campaign marked faces would have been. ‘John Moffity, of those who underwent the procedure went surviving son. Henry Hoare jnr, newly installed Cocoa-Tree in Pall Mall. On the day itself, The following year Edward Jenner, who had aimed at its total elimination was launched. otherwise Windgrove, otherwise Jelly, a Well- on to develop full-blown smallpox instead as a Partner at the family bank and heir to the participants assembled at the House of been trialling a safer form of inoculation, Over the next decade officials tracked the made stout young Fellow, about 30 years of of the intended milder version. Nor was extensive Stourhead estates, had embarked on Inoculation before proceeding en masse published his findings in a landmark work, virus across the globe, imposing mass Age … a little marked with the Small-Pox, it universally welcomed. Some believed a two-year Grand Tour in the summer of 1750. to the London Tavern. One of the smartest An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the vaccination programmes and draconian and swarthy, very black Eyes, wears a cut inoculation helped spread the disease. Others But in January 1752, shortly after his twenty- venues in the city, the London Tavern Variolae Vaccine … with Observations on the quarantine restrictions wherever it appeared. Wig … well known in the Neighbourhood warned against interfering with divine first birthday, he fell ill at Naples. In a letter offered a large room capable of seating Origin of the Small Pox, and on the Subject of So successful was this approach that in 1980 of Spitalfields; James Lawler, alias Jemmy providence. to Henry (Magnificent)’s agent, Joshua Cox, over 300 diners, a prodigious wine cellar Inoculation. This led to the establishment of the World Health Organisation was able to the Shuffler, alias Irish Jemmy, about 5 Feet The Hospitals for the Small Pox and Richard expressed his thanks ‘for your Great and tanks of live turtles, guaranteeing a several vaccination institutions, including declare smallpox officially eradicated. 7 Inches high, rather lusty, pale and much Inoculation opened on Windmill Street, Prudence & Tenderness in Breaking to my ever pitted with the Small-pox.’1 Tottenham Court Road, in 1746, one of a Dear Brother, the fatal News of the Death of Those who could afford to do so growing number of institutions that aimed to the Best of Sons,’ adding, ‘if any Expression resorted to veils, lead-based face powder tackle specific conditions rather than general should Drop from him, that my Comeing or strategically placed beauty patches to illness. Ten years later it moved to Upper down [to Stourhead] would be Agreeable, I beg disguise the worst ravages of the disease. Street, Islington, before relocating to St you will lett me know.’4 Small wonder too that Sales of patch boxes at Richard Hoare’s Pancras in 1767. Its purpose was two-fold: to Richard had his younger son, eight year old goldsmith shop were brisk, while London’s provide free hospital care for poor Londoners Harry, inoculated immediately after news of quacks did a roaring trade in potions and afflicted by smallpox and inoculation to those Henry jnr’s death reached England. powders. ‘Original Royal Chymical Wash- unable to afford it. Between 1752 and 1757 While subscriptions formed the financial Balls,’ available from Mrs Gales’ Fleet Street the Hospitals inoculated 874 people cornerstone of most charities, they were millinery shop during the 1720s, held out the and treated nearly 2,000 others who incapable of generating enough money to keep promise of smooth soft skin ‘by taking off had contracted smallpox naturally. But them afloat, making alternative fundraising all Deformities … Sun-burn, Scurf, Pimples, inoculation was time consuming and initiatives vital. One of the most common of Pits or Redness of the Small-pox.’2 The mid expensive. Patients had to be admitted to these was the charity sermon. A few charities, eighteenth century saw Dr James’s Powders the House of Inoculation two weeks before notably the Foundling Hospital (est 1739) and being promoted as a safe and certain cure for variolation, to ensure they were infection- the Magdalen Hospital for the Reception of everything from smallpox to rheumatism; free. On arrival they were given fresh clothes, Penitent Prostitutes (est 1758), built their own the 1790s heralded the arrival of Mason’s put on a strict diet and bombarded with chapels, which became tourist attractions ‘Celebrated Worm Medicine, in the form medicine so as to be in the best possible and considerable money-spinners. Most, of Gingerbread Nuts … the best physic yet health when inoculation took place. After the however, settled for an annual service in a known where purging is required, such as first symptoms appeared, they were removed local church, aimed at current and potential the Measles, Small-pox, Hard-drinking, and to the Small Pox Hospital for anything up subscribers. These were advertised in the press Surfeits … for Children there cannot be a to a month. A constant supply of money was and elaborately engraved tickets issued in speedy cure without a good Worm-Medicine, therefore necessary to pay for premises, staff, advance. Although the tickets themselves were and as a preparative for Inoculation; and for medicines and long-term patient care. free, a collection was always taken at the end persons of any age when the Small-Pox is Like most eighteenth century charitable of the service and the more popular sermons in the neighbourhood, there is no medicine enterprises, the Small Pox Hospital’s published to raise additional funds. Needless

[ 44 ] [ 45 ] 19 Medal commemorating Edward VII’s Coronation visit to the City of London, 1902 In 1901, after nearly sixty years as Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria’s eldest son finally ascended the throne as EdwardVII . Considerable enthusiasm greeted the announcement that his Coronation on 26th June 1902 would be followed by a grand procession through the City of London on the 27th. Even more exciting, though, was the promise of a nationwide three day Bank Holiday. Britain looked forward to a period of extended festivity.

Within days of these announcements, atom of space which commands a view is while the finishing touches were put to prices. Few though had bothered to take former Partner Charles Arthur Richard being made use of.’2 Most grandstands were local celebrations in places as far apart as out adequate insurance, making the subject Hoare wrote to Hoare’s Bank proposing erected by speculators, who paid large sums Manchester and Melbourne. By 20th June of refunds a contentious one. Those with that customers and others be allowed to to the freeholders for permission to use the the grandstands were up, the decorations insurance were happy to refund ticket view the Royal procession from its Fleet sites before ploughing yet more money into fixed and the hotels packed to bursting point. holders in full, as were those with reputations Street premises – at a cost. ‘The prices must making them as attractive as possible to But no one was prepared for what happened to preserve. But others only offered partial be high ones,’ he warned, ‘it would be very customers willing to pay up to twenty guineas next. refunds or seats for the rescheduled remunerative & I think as times are we can per seat. C. H. Glover & Co.’s grandstand at The first indication that anything was Coronation. The Financial Times saw how it hardly pass taking such a chance. Should you 82–85 Fleet Street boasted a 100ft frontage amiss came shortly after noon on 24th June, would end. ‘Several interesting legal points wish to give a reason … you can say that the together with an additional 3,500ft of when a telegraph message click-click-clicked have already been discussed, and if the parties proceeds made [go] to the support of some awning-covered Promenade and Lounge its way across the City’s newspaper offices concerned choose to resort to the law, it is philanthropic work.’ He then nominated his space to the rear. Customers were wooed and financial houses; ‘The Coronation certain that a rich harvest will be gathered by own pet project, the Training Ship Mercury, with promises of electric light, high class ceremony is postponed. The King is the gentlemen of the long robe.’6 Litigation which had been preparing poor boys for luncheons, well arranged retiring rooms and undergoing a surgical operation.’ Edward rumbled on well into the autumn and the naval careers since 1885, ‘as this is the only a band on the Promenade. had contracted appendicitis, a condition that various verdicts handed down by the courts [cause] which we can claim as having any In common with every other speculator, in those days generally proved fatal. At first exhaustively picked over by journalists and real interest in.’ Charles’s proposal, though, Glover & Co.’s target customer was the he had refused to consider surgery until the lawyers alike. Overall, the speculators’ losses met with a firm rebuff. ‘The occasion of the provincial visitor. Nearly 20,000 miles of Coronation was safely over. Only when his were thought to have tipped £350,000. last jubilee here [1897] was such a worry and railway track had been laid across Britain physicians bluntly stated that any delay would Edward VII’s Coronation eventually took expense to us that we have quite decided not since the previous Coronation, enabling result in a funeral instead of a Coronation place on 9th August. But the City Procession to repeat the performance on the occasion of vast numbers of people to contemplate was Edward forced to yield. originally planned for the following day the Coronation,’ replied Partner Algernon witnessing the event for themselves. To As news of the postponement leaked did not go ahead until 25th October. And Strickland. ‘We are declining all applications make the experience as painless as possible, out, confusion set in. Despite Edward’s whether it merited yet another Bank Holiday for seats … and are all agreed here that it speculators and travel agents offered package request that local celebrations and charitable was a matter of great debate. ‘Several special would not [become] Messrs Hoare to let the deals: return tickets on specially chartered events go ahead as planned, most were holidays have occurred this summer and part of their Banking House for seats to view Coronation trains, lunch on arrival and cancelled. Shops and factories reopened, many old-time bankers are wishing that the procession. No other Bank in London grandstand seats. There was also a dizzying as did museums and galleries, while play at these exceptional days of leisure should would do it.’1 He also took exception to array of lodgings to choose from. Budget Wimbledon’s Lawn Tennis Championship be curtailed … they have a demoralising Charles’s assertion that the Mercury was the travellers might opt to stay with Miss Clark was hastily reinstated. But what about the influence upon staffs, and, after all, the family’s only foray into philanthropy. ‘We of Muswell Hill; ‘20 minutes train service to City? Would the three day Bank Holiday be ordinary business hours of the banks are all of us have some Hospitals, or Schools, the City, frequent omnibuses.’3 The better rescinded? If so, what would happen to Bills not a heavy burden upon those who carry or Dwellings etc in which we individually off could plump for Hyde Park, where ‘A due to mature on those dates, which under out the work.’7 In the end, though, the take interest. The Mercury is a very good Lady’ offered to accommodate up to five the holiday arrangements had been payable with battalions of temporary staff. But while on both rose sharply at first, but as the day Committee of London Bankers came down institution, but I do not think that is a reason Coronation Paying Guests for ten guineas on 28th June? In the end it was decided to hotels and caterers could still rely on some grew closer the price dropped to four to six in favour of a holiday. ‘Its opinion was to why we should subject ourselves to the great per person, inclusive of wine; ‘Highest retain the Bank Holiday, although persistent increase in trade, for others the outlook guineas per cent, resulting in brisk business a certain extent formed by the difficulty of inconvenience and very probably the odium references given and required.’4 rumours about the King’s health left the City was decidedly bleak. Drapers, who had during the week preceding the Coronation. transferring securities through the streets we should incur by doing what you ask.’ By mid June troops and dignitaries had nervous and upset. Nor did its mood lighten counted on the celebrations to bolster sales When news of the postponement first broke, of a City thronged with sightseers; while, While the Hoares may have baulked at begun arriving from across the world. The as the full cost of postponement began to already dampened by a prolonged spell of therefore, underwriters feared the worst. of course, there was also the difficulty of such blatant commercialism, others had no Kildonan Castle docked at Southampton with emerge. wet weather, were particularly disappointed, Early calculations suggested losses of up to getting the walk clerks back from the various such scruples. Messrs Dollond announced representatives from Natal and Rhodesia; The financial fallout rippled across as were railway companies faced with the £1m, although these were scaled down after walks in time to carry through the necessary that their shop on Ludgate Hill was available mail steamer Sekondi landed at Plymouth London and beyond. Hotels were undone prospect of having to refund nearly 800,000 it became clear the King was out of danger. operations of the day. Accordingly – no for the exclusive use of a private gentleman with troops from the Gold Coast and by last minute cancellations and early excursion tickets and street sellers burdened Ultimately, the postponement would cost doubt with the full consent of the large army and his party, while Simpsons offered to let Nigeria; liner Oroya brought detachments departures. Caterers too suffered greatly. with worthless souvenirs. No less anxious, Lloyd’s less than the wreck of a single liner. of bank clerks – they have agreed to make their Strand premises floor by floor. Huge from Australia and Ceylon. Prince Cheng, Hundreds of extra sheep and cattle had though, were the seat speculators and Lloyd’s The seat speculators paid a much higher representations in favour of a Bank Holiday grandstands also sprang up at strategic the Special Chinese Envoy, and Prince been driven into London for slaughter; vast underwriters. price. They had invested an estimated on the eventful occasion.’ points along the thirteen mile route, Komatsu, representing Japan, converged on quantities of fruit, vegetables and other In the months leading up to the £420,000 in their grandstands, but prompting the Illustrated Times to observe Dover alongside a clutch of Indian Princes perishables stored on ice at Leadenhall. Coronation, two types of insurance had been confidently expected to clear profits of ‘The streets of London through which the laden with servants, luggage and gifts. Six million bottles of champagne had been registered at Lloyd’s: policies on the King’s £500,000.5 Many had also acquired rights Coronation procession will pass on June And as the day itself approached, hordes imported, public house cellars stuffed to life and policies against the Coronation to windows in houses and businesses along 26 and 27 look like vast timber-yards; every of eager spectators poured into London, the gunnels with beer and tea shops armed being postponed beyond 1902. Premiums the route, which they sold on at inflated

[ 46 ] [ 47 ] 20 Photograph of the Computer Room at 37 Fleet Street, 1977 ‘Mr Smith’s report on [Messrs Hoare’s] Books and Cashier’s Department … favours installation of a computer for subjective as most computers could only withstand a the debits and credits had been posted to the The model chosen, Digital Equipment reasons, and I agree that it would overcome some peaks of work. However, a computer brings problems of its own including 1°F variation in temperature. Computer- relevant accounts, the transfer vouchers had Co.’s PDP 11/45 16 bit minicomputer, was literate staff would also have to be recruited to be taken to the other bank for processing popular within the financial community as equipment obsolescence and the need for specialist staff. Savings in clerks and equipment would not cover the costs of an or trained. In his 1967 guide, Choosing a overnight and collected again the next it could handle data entry, word processing installation and there would be no great improvement in customer service.’ (Urwick Diebold Ltd, 1968) Computer, David Shirley reckoned that ‘To morning along with the necessary daily and spreadsheets, was relatively easy to attract an experienced programmer it is statements. programme and boasted a memory of 256KB. necessary to offer a salary of at least £1,500 Over the next few years Hoare’s By 1976, however, the project had run into The mid twentieth century saw the financial dramatically. More importantly, the training. Fifteen of the Books Department’s a year … and any worthwhile computer began laying the foundations for its own trouble. Development work ceased that world take its first tentative steps into the consultants recognised that any refusal to thirty-three staff were given eight hours manager will earn at least £2,000.’ Once computer system. Several staff were summer and the following year Hoare’s spent technological age. In 1955 the Committee adopt mechanisation would merely delay the training; four on borrowed machines at the right staff had been appointed detailed dispatched to a Woolwich college for another £100,000 replacing its ageing NCR of London Clearing Banks formed an inevitable, for the shift towards technology the bank and another four at the NCR City systems analysis would need to be carried instruction in one of the most commonly machines with eighteen Olivetti A6 electronic Electronics Sub-Committee to investigate was relentless. Finally, they warned that showroom. Once all this groundwork had out and the relevant computer programmes used computer programming languages accounting machines. The computer was new electronic data processing techniques as mechanisation became commonplace been completed, Monday 21st May was fixed written. The bank’s stationery would have to of the day, Dartmouth BASIC (Beginner’s effectively sidelined, although its cost was and decide how best to apply them. The Hoare’s would find it difficult to recruit and upon as changeover day. On the preceding be redesigned yet again and account numbers All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), partially recouped by hiring out spare capacity Committee’s interest was fuelled by what it retain suitable staff. ‘We cannot believe young Friday, each and every ledger was balanced. The allocated to all loan, deposit and current while additional, more experienced staff to other firms. In early 1978 the Computer termed ‘the spread of the banking habit,’ a men of the right calibre will readily settle into balances were transferred on to pre-prepared accounts before being incorporated into were recruited from outside. In 1969–70 an Department was disbanded and most of corresponding rise in the number of cheques a career which may appear to be confined to a statement sheets during Saturday and any personalised cheque books. Organisation & Method Department was its staff requested to leave ‘on a mutually in circulation (9 million p.a. by 1960) and high top desk and the continuous writing of remaining work dealt with on Sunday. Finally, As a short-term solution the report set up to oversee the necessary preparatory convenient date.’ the introduction of the Credit Transfer ledgers. It should be simpler to standardise on Monday morning, the new system was put recommended outsourcing loan and deposit work: the numbering of accounts, the Of course, this step back could only be Scheme. Over the next decade the Clearing your work by using female [machine] into action. accounts to a computer bureau. This would personalisation of cheque books, the temporary. By the early 1980s Hoare’s was Banks would develop a system of automated operators who would not ordinarily aspire to Apart from concerns over the considerable not only relieve the hard-pressed Books design and ordering of stationery and once again in the throes of developing a clearing for cheques, Bank Giro Credits and special posts.’ Even the bank’s predilection noise generated by the new accounting Department, but also give staff valuable the writing of suitable programmes. By computer system, one that would carry it Direct Debits that relied on Magnetic Ink for handwritten customer statements should machines, mechanisation of the Books experience of computer in and output. Any 1974 the bank had its own fully-fledged through to the Millennium and beyond. For Character Recognition (MICR) programmes not deter it from mechanisation, they argued; Department passed off without a hitch. But fears about customer confidentiality could Computer Department, made up of several as the report commissioned by the Partners and necessitated the standardisation of mechanised statements could be copied out just five years later Hoare’s was forced to be overcome by the introduction of account Programmers, Operators, Analysts and a nearly half a century earlier stated, ‘a business cheque size, paper and layout across the by hand if required. commission a second review of its procedures. numbers. After looking at several bureaux shorthand typist, all under the watchful house of the standing and repute of Messrs entire banking sector. Once the report’s findings had been The ever increasing number of accounts, along Hoare’s agreed in June 1967 to rent space eye of the Computer Services Manager. Hoare & Co. must not only look to the present Acknowledging the need to move with digested, it was decided to go ahead and with a fluctuating Bank Rate (the financial on another bank’s computer for its deposit During the next year nearly £600,000 was but plan for the future, taking into account the the times, Hoare’s Bank in 1960 purchased mechanise the Books Department. In year 1967–68 alone saw five rate changes), the accounts. In practice this meant that once all spent installing the new computer system. changing pattern in the commercial world.’ its first Adrema machine, which enabled it February 1962, therefore, ten NCR 32–0–7 introduction of Capital Gains Tax (30%) and to start producing the new-style cheques accounting machines were ordered, at a total Corporation Tax (40%) in 1965 and the spread required by automatic clearing. But more cost of £19,030. Each machine boasted a of Hire Purchase, meant that more and more radical changes were also called for. The full figure keyboard with automatic ciphers, staff time was being spent calculating and number of transactions had risen steadily, spacing and punctuation; a recording and posting interest on loans and deposits. At the from 707,000 p.a. in 1952 to 917,000 p.a. accumulating capacity ranging from 1d to same time the NCR machines were beginning by 1961, placing an enormous strain on the £9,999,999.19s.11d; six adding registers, to suffer periodic breakdowns. Was it time, the bank’s staff, particularly around the quarterly all with direct subtraction; automatic Partners wondered, to invest in a computer? and annual balance days. As a result, paid control of balances (debit and credit) and an Although this second review generally overtime was introduced in June 1961. Soon electric typewriter keyboard for narrative encouraged computerisation, it cautioned afterwards a firm of consultants was brought description. Experiments carried out against too precipitate a leap into the in to scrutinise every aspect of the Books during the previous winter indicated that technological age. At c.£75,000, the cost Department’s procedures and recommend mechanisation should enable each clerk to of buying or renting a computer would improvements. While open to change, the post three heavy ledgers per day, one more be considerable, while the bank’s current Partners hoped to retain the age-old customs than had been possible manually. It also processing costs did not exceed £55,000 of manually posted ledgers and handwritten promised significantly fewer arithmetical p.a., thanks to ‘the efficient use of staff and customer statements with full narrative, errors and a marked reduction in work machines in the Bank’s Books Department, believing these gave their clerks a thorough duplication rates. coupled with a very rough and ready method knowledge of the bank’s customers. But the The cost of mechanisation did not end of interest calculation.’2 Such an investment consultants’ conclusion, delivered after a with the acquisition of the accounting could only pay if the bank was prepared to twelve week investigation, was unequivocal. machines. A whole host of ancillary computerise a significant amount of other ‘It is our opinion that, from all points of view, equipment was also required: a microfilm work: current accounts, statements, interest mechanisation offers the best practicable machine, reader and storage cabinets, lower calculations on overdrafts, the preparation and solution.’1 desks, chairs, trolleys and lighting. The bank’s posting of standing order vouchers, credits for The advantages of mechanisation were stationery too had to change. An initial order dividends on bearer bonds and other securities, several-fold. Not only would it relieve for 30,000 redesigned statement forms statistical returns for the Bank of England and the Books Department’s over-burdened was placed with the printers, while yet more daily liquidity figures. Nor could any of this be clerks, but it would allow the bank to money was spent on guide and control cards, accomplished without considerable upheaval. absorb the predicted growth in transactions audit roll sheets, insertion tabs, binders and A large room would be required to house the without having to increase staff numbers rubber stamps. Another priority was staff computer, one with effective air conditioning

[ 48 ] [ 49 ] 21 Request for a ticket to Boodle’s fête, 1789 go [to the fête] given by Boodle’s Club at the elegancies of this Grand Gala would be Flora was destined to bloom for several years. Ranelagh … I was dressed as a grown-up endless, and almost impracticable,’ enthused On the day after Boodle’s fête the general The Royal Hospital Chelsea today is synonymous with the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual Flower Show. person for the first time, and wore powder, The Times, ‘it was the grandest entertainment public was invited to view the Rotunda, In 1789, however, its grounds played host to an even grander occasion: a fête given by Boodle’s Club to celebrate the then the mark of distinction of womanhood. ever seen in England, and shewed what the Grand Saloon and Temple of Flora for 3s 6d My dress was a black body and pink slip, taste of foreign countries could accomplish.’9 including tea and coffee. So popular did the recovery of ‘Mad’ King George. with a crape petticoat, ornamented with The Rotunda’s lower tier was shrouded in latter become that a month later its creators pink bows, puffings, etc, and feathers in linen sheets painted to resemble Spanish installed a replica – the original having been my hair.’5 Canopies were dotted around tents, while the upper one was disguised as snapped up by the Duke of York for his the gardens for the guests to walk under, a Chinese temple. Supper, featuring exotic garden at Oatlands – on the Surrey side of military bands stationed at strategic points fruits and Spanish wines, was served on gold Westminster Bridge. For a shilling, anyone could spend the evening walking through ‘this In November 1788 George III suffered a Navestock, Essex, Cambridge students 1740s. Canaletto painted it in 1754; seven year elegant and ingenious Imitation of Nature, mental collapse that triggered a political were given a day’s leave and Woolwich’s old Master Mozart – ‘the most extraordinary in her Floral Attire,’ admiring the statue of crisis and prompted calls for the Prince of Colonel in Charge provided a butt of porter Prodigy, and most amazing Genius that has Pomona in the hothouse and marvelling Wales to be declared Regent. So great was for his soldiers to drink the King’s health appeared in any Age’4 – performed there ten at the illuminations. ‘Orgeats, Lemonade, the uncertainty that the King’s subsequent with. But most splendid of all were the years later. Two tiers of painted, gilded boxes Confectionary, Strawberries, Cream and recovery was greeted with an outpouring of numerous receptions, balls and fêtes. Bank lined the Rotunda’s perimeter, enabling Fruits of every sort, with other Refreshments, joyous relief. Some even dubbed it ‘the second customer Fanny Burney, Keeper of the visitors to dine or drink tea, while a huge will be served on the most reasonable terms,’ Restoration’. On the night of 9th March 1789, Robes to Queen Charlotte, attended the rococo style fireplace dominated its centre. promised the management.11 Within months, the façade of nearly every house, business Queen’s Grand Restoration Drawing Room On the night of Boodle’s fête, the entire venue however, the novelty had worn off, forcing the and public office in London was smothered on 26th March, where she was presented was transformed into a supper room. Four Temple’s proprietors to devise increasingly in illuminations (coloured lamps arranged with a fan inscribed “Health Restored to boxes, decorated with roses and crimson bizarre ways of attracting people through the to form shapes and words) or transparencies One and Happiness to Millions”.3 At the swags, were set aside for use by the Prince of doors. Sales of artificial fruit, automatons, (enormous painted sheets) that turned entire Princess Royal’s Windsor ball on 1st May Wales, his brothers and friends, among them even a goldfinch trained to fire off a small buildings into shimmering works of art. guests danced all night, pausing only for Mrs Fitzherbert, a twice-widowed Roman cannon all featured at the Temple over the Variegated lamps suspended across East India a sumptuous supper made up of twenty Catholic whom the Prince had secretly next year or so, while in 1791 Londoners were House, Leadenhall Street, spelt out “Long different soups, boned ducks, cygnets and married in 1785. The remaining boxes were urged to come and see Signor Valsuani, the Live the King”; Drury Lane Theatre’s façade landrails swimming in transparent jelly, four- similarly laid up for supper parties and four Celebrated Grimacer, in action. Ominously, was obscured by a crown of golden lights, foot high confectionary arrangements and an long rows of tables straddled the central floor. the advertisements added, ‘The strictest care studded with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, abundance of hothouse fruits. Gentlemen’s Among the novel touches remarked on by will be taken that no improper persons shall resting on a cushion of crimson lamps; clubs too made strenuous efforts to guests were the bowls of flowers that adorned be admitted.’12 Lord Heathfield draped his home with a demonstrate their loyalty. White’s, the each table and the use of chairs instead of It was too late, however. The Temple of transparency depicting the Siege of Gibraltar; leading Tory club, gave a ball at the Pantheon benches. Flora, once a magnet for London’s elite, had ironmaster Alexander Brodie served roast Assembly Rooms on Oxford Street (now Alongside the Rotunda the fête’s organisers become the haunt of prostitutes and other beef and plum pudding to passers-by from Marks & Spencer), so popular that carriages erected two temporary buildings, the first and two orchestras recruited for the dancing plates by 200 footmen, half of whom were disreputable characters. In May 1796 the a huge ship’s stove, decorated as a Chinese laden with ladies decked out in white dresses of which was christened the Grand Saloon. – country dances in the Grand Saloon, dressed in scarlet edged with gold lace, the Temple’s owner was convicted of keeping pagoda, outside his premises on Carey Street. and feathered headdresses were forced to Made from painted cloth and measuring Cotillions in the Temple of Flora. At 1am the rest in sky blue and silver lace. a disorderly house. At his trial, the judge ‘London,’ pronounced the London Chronicle, queue for two and a half hours. Not to be 150ft by 100ft, it was reputedly the largest bands struck up “Rule Britannia” and the The guest of honour that night was Queen lamented that the Temple of Flora ‘was ‘exhibited one continual blaze of exultation outdone, Brooks’s Club, frequented by the temporary building ever constructed in doors of the supper room were flung open. Charlotte, resplendent in Garter blue and frequented by apprentices, etc from 13 to … from Kensington to Greenwich, and from Whigs, who as vociferous supporters of the England. Twelve pillars, festooned with lamps, Afterwards, ‘the company got very merry diamonds. Her daughters hovered round 18 years of age and by women of the town, Hampstead to Tooting. All the inhabitants proposed Regency felt obliged to make a held the structure in place, while at either end and some songs were sung.’6 The dancing, her, while her sons held court in several and that many indecencies were practised seethed to vie with each other who should particularly conspicuous splash, held a lavish multi-coloured lanterns formed a star and meanwhile, continued until after 5am. boxes nearby, although it was noted that ‘The there. In such places,’ he concluded, ‘youth testify their loyalty in the most conspicuous ball at the Opera House. Surpassing both, crown. Most extraordinary of all, though, Clearly the fête’s organisers were Duke of York came to Ranelagh in boots, contracted habits of debauchery and manner … Every child in London seemed out however, was the fête given by Boodle’s Club. was the ceiling, where nearly 30,000 lamps determined to spare no expense. The supper and consequently did not mix with the rest idleness.’13 The Temple of Flora closed its of doors; and those who could not walk, were Arrangements for Boodle’s fête got merged to form a single blaze of variegated alone was rumoured to have cost £1,200, of the company.’ After a display of Spanish doors forever. in the arms of their mothers.’1 underway as soon as the King’s recovery was light. Its like had never been seen before. But while the Grand Saloon added a further £800 dancing, the guests moved to the back of By then, though, the world seemed a very The celebrations continued for another confirmed. The venue, Ranelagh Pleasure no less remarkable was the second temporary to the bill. For the guests too, the endless their boxes and watched as twenty sailing different place. Seven weeks after Boodle’s two months. Thanksgiving services were Gardens, Chelsea, was secured. Admission building, the Temple of Flora. Here, under festivities were proving costly. As Lord boats, illuminated with lamps, skimmed up fête a Parisian mob had stormed the Bastille, held up and down the country, the grandest tickets (3½ guineas) were printed and the the steady gaze of Flora herself, pillars of Bute’s daughter Lady Louisa Stuart wryly and down the Thames, letting off fireworks plunging France into revolution and sending of which was attended by the King and dress code decided upon: green coats over imitation marble clad with honeysuckle and observed after paying £30 for her Windsor as they went. The highlight of the evening powerful shock-waves across Europe and Queen on St George’s Day. Mary Frampton, white waistcoats and breeches for members, roses mingled amid tubs containing orange ball dress and £24 towards a dress for White’s though was a lottery. Six hundred prizes, one beyond. Before long Britain found herself at later a bank customer, recalled that ‘While Windsor dress (dark blue coats trimmed trees and other hothouse plants. It too was ball, ‘Loyalty is a most expensive virtue at for each lady, were distributed, including war with France, battling political and social [the King and Queen] were coming up with scarlet) for non-members. By the end of illuminated by a profusion of variegated present.’7 Once all the expenses had been rings, bracelets, fans, medallions of the King, unrest at home and struggling against an to the door of St Paul’s [Cathedral], the April the subscription list was full and 1,600 lamps, some of which, shaped into a large star, paid, however, Boodle’s was able to donate etui cases, pocket books and sashes. The top economic downturn so severe that the Bank band played God Save the King, and every tickets had been issued. glistened over a watery cascade. £215–18–11 to the Philanthropic Society, a prize, a gold watch studded with diamonds, of England was forced to suspend payments hat was in the air, and the acclamations Events at Ranelagh took place in one of On the night of the fête many guests chose new venture aimed at diverting convicts’ fell to Miss Eliza Sturt. ‘When Miss Sturt for a time. Even the King’s recovery proved to very great … On the King’s entrance, the Georgian London’s most familiar landmarks, to make their way to Ranelagh by boat. Wind children and young offenders from a life of was declared the fair winner … Mr H--re be short-lived. Three further bouts of madness 6000 children in the dome struck up the the Rotunda. Larger than Rome’s Coliseum bands serenaded them as they glided along crime.8 exclaimed, “Tho’ party colours blaze in party followed that first one, the last of which, in Hundredth Psalm.’2 Among the countless and modelled on Constantinople’s mighty the Thames; military salutes greeted their A week after the Boodle’s gala Ranelagh eyes, Unaided beauty carries off the prize!”’10 1810, was so severe he never recovered. The regional celebrations, Earl Waldegrave St Sophia, the Rotunda had been hosting arrival. Mary Frampton recalled ‘I was not was the scene of another fête, hosted by While the various fêtes and balls each lived Prince of Wales was appointed Regent and entertained 350 poor villagers to dinner at suppers, concerts and masquerades since the out in the world then, but was permitted to the Spanish Ambassador. ‘To particularise and died in a single evening, the Temple of Britain looked forward to an uncertain future.

[ 50 ] [ 51 ] 22 Harry Hoare’s Pocket Game Register, 1887 ‘Morning dawns, and “heavily with mists comes on the day”. The sleepers on benches and chairs are first on the alert … all is tumult, noise, and confusion … the howling and yelping of dogs, the cracking of whips, the charging and firing of guns, and every other note of preparation. Then away for the heather and hills … far, far from the busy, money-getting world.’New ( Sporting Magazine, September 1833)

Each year the Glorious Twelfth lures his first full-time warrener/gamekeeper. 1752 funded the prosecution of poachers and hunters to the heather rich moors of the And by the 1730s, Henry’s son, known as offered rewards for information leading to north, while dealers and restaurateurs vie Henry the Magnificent, had fully embraced their conviction. Such large concentrations with one another to serve up the first birds the ‘shooting flying’ habit. His accounts are of game proved irresistible to poachers, of the season. Hunting is of course as old peppered with game related outgoings: 5 however, particularly after a ban on the sale as man. But the origins of modern game guineas to gamekeeper John Munday; 8s 5d of game in 1755 created a lucrative black shooting coincide with the earliest days of to Widow Munday for plucking birds; 16s 9d market, one organised gangs were only too Hoare’s Bank. to the landlord of the George Inn, Salisbury, happy to supply. And as the stakes rose, so In 1671, a year before Hoare’s Bank was for sending game to his brother in London too did the poachers’ ruthlessness. Richard established, Parliament passed the Game and various sums to gunsmith Charles Colt Hoare’s gamekeeper was subjected to Act, limiting the right to hunt game – hares, Pickfatt for powder and shot as well as for the a vicious beating after stumbling across a partridges, pheasants and moor fowl – to cleaning and mending of guns. gang of poachers in the Stourhead woods. those in possession of freehold land worth To ensure a ready supply of game, Two of the gang were later jailed for twelve £100 p.a. or leasehold land worth £150 p.a. landowners began creating game-friendly months and fined £3 apiece; according to At the same time the Act granted lords of plantations on their estates. Sir Richard Colt the presiding judge, both were lucky to the manor the right to employ gamekeepers Hoare Bt, Henry (Magnificent)’s successor escape the death penalty. As long as there armed with the power to seek out and at Stourhead, planted over 75,000 trees were profits to be had, however, the problem confiscate guns, nets, snares or hunting during 1798–99 alone. Afterwards, his staff persisted. In 1803 Richard Colt’s brother dogs from anyone who fell short of the £100 were instructed to gather up wild game Hugh instructed his lawyers to proceed p.a. benchmark. Together these measures eggs from across the estate each spring against a man found on his estate at Barn theoretically barred all but a tiny minority and hatch them in specially constructed Elms, Surrey, ‘professedly for ye purpose from hunting game, although in practice pheasantries before transferring them to of shooting Pigeons … the simple & short many landowners and magistrates turned these new plantations. Additional partridges method appears to [be to] alarm & fine him a blind eye to their unqualified neighbours’ and pheasants were coaxed into the coverts for carrying a gun, being unqualified.’4 hunting activities, provided they were by the liberal scattering of grain. Predators, By the nineteenth century there were confined to their own property. including foxes, crows, stoats and hawks, persistent calls for the Game Laws to be Game traditionally had been hunted were sought out and exterminated. But even reformed or even abolished. Campaigners with an assortment of nets, snares, dogs, the most assiduous game preserver could do argued that legalising the sale of game would hawks and pipes. But the emergence of the nothing about the weather. In 1812 Richard drastically reduce poaching, which in turn flintlock shotgun or fowling piece during the recorded ‘the worst breed of Partridges ever would relieve the country’s overcrowded later seventeenth century ushered in a new remembered. Winter set in very severely.’ prisons; up to a third of all prisoners style of hunting: ‘shooting flying’. Shooting Next season he bagged 63 partridges, a far cry had been convicted of poaching-related Harry Hoare, 1892 with flintlocks, though, was a hazardous from the 500 or more he was accustomed to. offences. The property qualification too was business. ‘Do not fire full against the wind The following year yielded a paltry eighteen.2 condemned. ‘What can be more ridiculous outwith these dates or purchasing game from thick as in a warren; and hares without end; introduced. Together these innovations made when it blows hard,’ warned one expert, ‘for The weather may have been unreliable, than that which prevents a man who has unlicensed sources. Lastly, the Act permitted each sportsman supplied by his servant with shooting safer and more affordable than it will then drive the powder into your face; but poaching was an ever present menace. 100,000l in the funds, from being qualified, all landowners to employ gamekeepers, not ready-loaded guns to be discharged as soon before. They also dramatically increased the and if it rains, immediately give over your At first poaching tended to be small-scale while … any other person not possessing just lords of the manor. as loaded; all plain matter of fact work … no size of the average bag. At a Suffolk battue sport. Never blow at the mouth of your piece and the penalties not overly severe. In 1740 one hundredth part of that property in land, By then, however, the sport of ‘shooting nervous waiting for the exciting words “look in 1868, 5,235 head of game were killed in after it has missed fire, lest some latent spark labourer Richard Brewer was bound to is considered so qualified?’5 After years of flying’ had been transformed. While for out” … [instead] a continuous bang, bang, four days, of which 2,357 were brought down discharge it through your head. Keep your Benjamin Hoare for £20, ‘not for the face wrangling, a new Game Act finally entered most of the eighteenth century game was for an hour or two together.’6 But as the the second day.7 Estate owners assiduously gun always directed from you, and your of ten years to make or cause to be made, the statute book in 1831. This abolished ‘walked up’, by the early nineteenth century battue offered a more sociable, less strenuous recorded the fortunes of their shooting parties thumb on the flint, which you should never use or have in his possession any snares the property qualification, permitted a new form of shooting had emerged: the form of shooting, its popularity was assured. in large leather-bound game books, while hammer, because the sparks may fall into the etc for the destruction of game’ within licensed dealers to sell game and confirmed battue. Under the battue system, sportsmen By Victorian times it had become a staple of pocket game registers enabled individuals to pan, and kill a bye-stander.’1 Benjamin’s estates at Boreham, Essex.3 But the close seasons. Partridges could only stationed themselves at fixed points, or the country house weekend. keep a personal record of their season. The From the outset, the Hoares proved to as landowners began investing significant be hunted from 1st September to 1st ‘pegs’, while beaters drove the game towards The spread of the battue was aided by one shown here, dating from 1887, belonged be enthusiastic sportsmen. Henry Hoare sums in game preservation, they became February, pheasants from 1st October to them. For purists, who revelled in the thrill advances in gun technology. Flintlocks, so to future bank Partner Harry Hoare. In it, (Good)’s accounts reveal that in June 1720, increasingly anxious to crack down on 1st February, black game from 20th August of the chase, the battue was an anathema. dominant during the 1700s, were superseded twenty-year old Harry faithfully noted the date before his new country house at Stourhead, poaching. Henry (Magnificent) was one of to 10th December and red grouse from ‘Such sport seems very tame,’ lamented one. in the early 1800s by percussion caps. Then and location of each day’s sport, the names of Wiltshire, was even finished, he spent £4 on the earliest subscribers to the Association 12th August to 10th December. Heavy fines ‘Pheasants, numerous as barn-door fowls in in the 1850s-60s the first breech-loading his companions and a breakdown of the bag, a fowling piece. A year later he appointed for the Preservation of Game, which from were introduced for those caught hunting a farm yard and as easily shot down; rabbits, shotguns and central-fire cartridges were as well as comments on the day in general.

[ 52 ] [ 53 ] 23 Subscription for Sir Walter Scott’s Testimonial, 1832–33 Abbotsford, the much-loved home of poet and novelist Sir Walter Scott, is known throughout the world. Its idyllic Scottish Borders setting, its unique collections and its intrinsic association with the man and his work have captivated visitors for nearly 200 years. But the battle to preserve Abbotsford is as old as the house itself.

The first entry, on 2nd September, found his gamekeeper to entrench on the privileges Walter Scott was born in Edinburgh in 1771. Harry shooting near the family home at of foxes in order that pheasants might be His first published works appeared in the Staplehurst, Kent, alongside two uncles more abundant, was a “brute” and a “beast”, 1790s, but it was a two volume collection and a neighbour. The weather was unkind and altogether unworthy to live in England.’ of ballads, Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border – ‘Westerly gale & driving rain’ – and the day At Peter Richard Hoare’s Devon (1802), that made his name. Several narrative got off to an unpromising start. ‘Didn’t see a estate, Luscombe, however, preservation poems followed, among them The Lay of the bird for the first hour & could hardly face the consistently trumped the desires of others. Last Minstrel (1805), Marmion (1808) and wind – but at last we came in sight of some Peter’s agent suggested the Dawlish the wildly popular Lady of the Lake (1810), large coveys & got 7 brace before lunch.’8 Horticultural Society might hold their 1871 which brought fame and fortune to Scott and The total bag though was modest: ten brace annual show on the lawn without causing hordes of eager tourists to his native land. of partridge and one hare. Nor did they fare any undue harm, although ‘there would And when Scott turned his hand to prose, this any better next day, managing just four brace be someone to stop them roaming in the too met with resounding success. His first between them. covers etc.’9 But a request from the local novel, Waverley (1814), set during the Jacobite A month later Harry visited Ampton Hunt to congregate at Luscombe met Uprising of 1745, was devoured by critics and Hall, Suffolk, home to another uncle, John with a peremptory refusal. ‘I hardly think readers alike. In a letter to her niece, novelist Paley. By then the pheasant season was that it would do for the Hunt to scour the Jane Austen remarked ‘Walter Scott has no in full swing. ‘The best day I’ve ever had,’ Plantations. The Hounds would do almost business to write novels, especially good Harry enthused as the six guns bagged 197 as much harm as the Foxes … I sh’d think ones – It is not fair. He has Fame and Profit pheasants, 11 hares and 109 rabbits. Nor that it would hardly do for the Pheasants & enough as a Poet, and should not be taking did his youthful high spirits ever appear to Hares.’10 the bread out of other people’s mouths. I do dim. ‘A very cheery party & no end of sport,’ Shooting today, whether driven or walked not like him, & do not mean to like Waverley he wrote of a day at Timsbury, Somerset, ‘I up, is still a popular pastime. It is also big if I can help it – but I fear I must.’1 Fellow never saw so many hares in my life.’ His most business, worth an estimated £2bn p.a. to the novelist Maria Edgeworth was equally successful outings, however, were at the UK economy.11 charmed, informing her aunt ‘Waverley was Norfolk home of his friend Michael Stocks. in everybody’s hands … I am more delighted One wet November day their party of eight with it than I can tell you.’2 bagged 5 partridges, 363 pheasants, 121 hares, Over the next seventeen years Scott reeled 77 rabbits and a woodcock. Next day they off a further twenty-seven novels. Collectively did even better, bringing down over 400 known as The Waverley Novels, they were pheasants alone, although Harry was vexed. among the most popular works of the ‘Ought to have got 900 but the birds came in nineteenth century, with a readership that such flushes.’ extended from the banks of the Volga to the As the battue system became more prairies of the Midwest. prevalent, the long-running debate about Despite this unprecedented success, game preservation intensified. Tenant Scott’s later years were overshadowed by farmers protested that too much land was worry and debt. His writing generated large being set aside for game, allowing large sums of money, but he had always spent concentrations of pheasants, partridges, freely: on lavish entertaining, on amassing rabbits and hares to feast on their crops with his huge book and antiquarian collections impunity. Even fiercer opposition came from and, above all, on building and embellishing the fox-hunting fraternity, adamant that the his beloved home, Abbotsford. Nestled maintenance of coverts and the systematic beside the river Tweed, Abbotsford had destruction of foxes put paid to their sport. been nothing more than a small, dilapidated As Anthony Trollope put it in The American farmhouse when Scott acquired it in 1811. Senator, ‘Then there came on that well-worn Over the next fifteen years, however, he dispute among sportsmen, whether foxes transformed it into a turreted, baronial style and pheasants are or are not pleasant fantasy his literary characters would have companions to each other. Everyone was felt at ease in, and filled it with his treasures. agreed that, if not, then the pheasants should An imposing display of medieval weapons, suffer, and that any gentleman who allowed shields and armour was mounted in the

[ 54 ] [ 55 ] entrance hall. Architectural mouldings Not to be outdone, Drury Lane Theatre subscribers listed in the Hoare’s account salvaged from old churches and houses were announced a performance of Macbeth, included the Duke of Northumberland added to the walls and ceilings. A peerless ‘After which will be exhibited – Scene 1 A (£100), the Dowager Marchioness of Lothian collection of 9,000 books was arranged in View of Abbotsford … painted expressly (£5), historian Henry Hallam (£10) and the library alongside an eclectic array of odds by Mr Stanfield, to which celebrated place the Provost of King’s College, Cambridge and ends: a lock of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s will be introduced, in Commemoration of (£10). The Committee’s aim, however, was hair, Marie Antoinette’s clock, Rob Roy’s Scotland’s Immortal Bard, a Pilgrimage of to encourage as many people as possible to sporran. the Principal Dramatic Characters his genius contribute, believing that ‘the real tribute To fund both his lifestyle and Abbotsford’s has created … Scene 2 The Poet’s Study at consisted in the number of subscribers ever-spiralling costs, Scott relied on a Abbotsford, exhibiting an arrangement of the rather than the sums individually subscribed; mixture of loans and advances for as yet Characters round his Bust and vacant Chair, and that, as his immortal works are read unwritten works. His prolific output, concluding with a Grand Scenic Apotheosis by all classes, the least affluent should be coupled with his indubitable success, meant of the Minstrel of the North.’4 Weippert’s afforded the opportunity of expressing their credit was easy to come by for a time. But “Abbotsford House Quadrilles”, meanwhile, feelings.’6 To this end, reams of ruled paper in 1825–26 a stock market crash brought featured prominently at dances up and down were dispatched to libraries and booksellers Britain’s economy to a shuddering halt. the country throughout that winter. up and down the country for the recording Credit evaporated and loans were called Plans for more permanent memorials of subscribers’ names on the understanding in, bankrupting thousands. At Hoare’s, the were underway within weeks of Scott’s death. that once the subscription closed they would Partners instinctively drew in their horns. A subscription launched at Melrose aimed be bound into volumes and placed in the ‘[F]rom the alarming State of public Affairs,’ to erect a statue on top of the nearby Eildon Abbotsford library. As a further incentive, Lord Kenyon was informed, ‘it becomes Hills. Others at Aberdeen and Edinburgh the Committee announced its intention of imperative upon us to refrain from any funded the Scott Monument, which towers publishing each of these names in the press. Advances but those of a temporary Nature over Edinburgh’s Princes Street Garden and So great was Scott’s popularity that success & for small Sums … my Partners hope that Waverley Station to this day. South of the seemed certain. And at first subscriptions you will excuse their advancing the Sum of border, meanwhile, Scott’s admirers were came in thick and fast. Early contributors £10,000.’3 equally anxious to commemorate his life included fellow poets William Wordsworth For Scott the crash spelt catastrophe. and work. During a meeting at Bridgewater and Robert Southey (£3–3–0 apiece), His publishers, Ballantyne & Co., a concern House, London, on 9th November 1832, a politician Sir Robert Peel (£50), artists David Scott held a considerable stake in, collapsed gathering of about fifty gentlemen agreed to Wilkie (£10) and Francis Chantrey (£25) and in early 1826, leaving Scott liable for debts initiate a subscription ‘for the purposes of the Oxford Union Debating Society (£50). totalling £120,000. Instead of declaring testifying the public respect and admiration William IV gave £300, the Queen of Spain himself bankrupt, however, or accepting for Sir Walter Scott.’ Furthermore, ‘the £20, wealthy Russian Count Demidoff £100. A view of Abbotsford from across the Tweed by Elizabeth Wemyss Naysmyth (1793–1862) help from his friends, Scott set about paying most appropriate mode of affecting that As anticipated, there were also countless © Abbotsford Trust off the full amount. He sold his Edinburgh purpose will be, to perpetuate in the line of subscriptions from the less well-known or Mayor made an impassioned plea in support including Henry Merrik Hoare’s nephew, towards securing the library and antiquarian home, pledged any future royalties to his Sir Walter Scott’s descendants the Estate and well-off, among them ‘A Spinster’s Mite, of ‘the genius of the departed Minstrel of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland Bt, agreed with collections and the remainder into reducing creditors and wrote more ferociously than Mansion of Abbotsford, with its Literary and Tiverton’ (10s); ‘The eleven Newmans of the North, the once eloquent chords of these sentiments but also emphasised Scott’s a £10,000 heritable bond that had loomed ever, churning out several novels and an Antiquarian Collections – objects identified Henley, Children, one shilling each’; ‘The whose lyre are now silent forever … Who herculean attempt to clear his debts, an over Abbotsford since 1825. assortment of non-fiction works. By his death with his illustrious Works.’5 A Committee Domestics of Sir William H. Williamson amongst them,’ he urged, ‘had not visited example of moral uprightness and integrity Scott’s £120,000 debt was finally paid in 1832, nearly £70,000 of the £120,000 had was duly formed to oversee the subscription Bt MP’ (10s 6d); ‘A Tribute to the Memory the tombs of Smollett, of Burns, of Gibbon, they believed should be applauded. off in 1847, thanks in part to a new edition been repaid. and a vast network of Sub-Committees of innate Rectitude released by Law, but and of Shakespeare? Who of them had not Despite this renewed effort, the of the Waverley Novels. By then Abbotsford Scott’s death, hastened by anxiety and sprang to life in locations as far apart as obeying the dictates of Justice’ (£5–5–0) and … endeavoured to see the house where the Abbotsford Subscription never reached its was a firm fixture on the tourist trail, having his gruelling schedule, was greeted with Yorkshire and Nova Scotia. ‘Ivanhoe’ (£1–1–0). immortal Shakespeare dwelt? … Sir Walter £17,000 target. The account at Hoare’s raised opened to the public within months of widespread sorrow. Condolences flooded in Within weeks of the Bridgewater House It soon became clear, however, that the Scott was our second Shakespeare, and it now £313–17–0 before falling dormant in May Scott’s death. In 2007, responsibility for the from across the world and numerous tributes meeting, subscription accounts had been Committee’s optimism had been misplaced. became our duty to sanctify to his memory 1833. And once various expenses had been house and its collections passed from Scott’s were speedily arranged. Covent Garden opened at all the leading London and country By April 1833 just £7,000 of the £17,000 that romantic dwelling which he loved when deducted, the overall total stood at £7,200, descendants to the newly formed Abbotsford Theatre put on Waverley as a five-act play and banks. That at Hoare’s, entitled ‘Subscription required had been forthcoming. Undeterred, living, which was hallowed as the scene of the although Scott’s son-in-law and biographer Trust, thus beginning a new chapter for what followed it with a Masque, The Vision of the for a Testimonial to the Memory of the late the Committee redoubled its efforts. During bright inspirations of his genius, and which John Lockhart would later claim that a young one 1830s subscriber called ‘this romance in Bard, in which the likes of Ivanhoe, Rob Roy Sir Walter Scott,’ began on 24th November a Great Meeting at London’s Mansion House was so appropriately calculated to awaken secretary had absconded to America with an architecture.’ and the Lady of the Lake rubbed shoulders with donations by Henry Merrik Hoare the following month, the first subscribers’ in future generations a just remembrance of additional £3,000. In July 1836 this £7,200 with Jeanie Deans and Dandie Dinmont. (£20) and the Earl of Pembroke (£50). Other event to which ladies were invited, the Lord his talent and his worth.’7 Other speakers, was made over to trustees, who put £5,600

[ 56 ] [ 57 ] 24 Account of diamonds sent to Philip Masson at Paris, 1713 ‘I have … taken care to have your watch & case mended and sett to rights, and the two lockets to be merchant Philip Masson advised him that for that wch you ask £1800 for & for the Following Richard’s death in 1719 his made according to your desire. As to the two Diamond Rings that are to be now made according to ye while rough diamonds generally sold well, Brilliant Ring which you put down at £950 successors acquired few new diamonds; ‘what are most sought after are the Brilliants they never would give me more than Livers instead, they concentrated their efforts on newest fashion there will be a necessity of changing one or two of your diamonds and adding two from 6 … to 30 Gr[ains] but they will have 12000 [£750] … pray advise me the lowest disposing of those that remained. A large more … then you will have two Rose Rings … as will be genteele & fashionable.’ them of a clear Water well shaped and spread price you will have that I may not loose the number were sold to Moses’s close friend (Messrs Hoare to Jane Meyrick of Anglesey, 1706) & when they have these Qualities and are opportunity of selling.’ True to form, though, Isaac Franks in December 1719, while Messrs at a reasonable price, one may be able to Richard stubbornly refused to lower his Romswinkle & Warin succeeded in selling putt them off at a pretty good advantage.’4 prices. And so his diamonds failed to sell. several more a month or so later. None, Although Richard baulked at Masson’s fees The one piece that did find a buyer – the last however, achieved the ambitious prices Jewellery formed an integral part of Richard network of trusted merchants: Peter Greve great use to know it but you must do it with (1% brokerage, 2% commission and a further mentioned ring, which Masson agreed to sell Richard had held out so steadfastly for. A Hoare’s goldsmithing business from the and Walter Beckhoff at Hamburg, David as [much] privacy as is possible.’ Despite 2% should he be required to act as security for £100 less than Richard’s minimum price brilliant ring, valued by Richard at £2,800, outset. He maintained an extensive stock and Jacob Neufville at Frankfurt and Messrs these lingering doubts, however, Richard for any credit based sales), he was sufficiently – never left his hands, the purchaser having made £1,866, while two further rings, priced of items for sale in his shop and offered a Romswinkle & Warin at Amsterdam. and Moses continued to work together encouraged by this response to approach still not come up with the requisite funds two originally at £1,100 and £850, realised just full maintenance service besides: cleaning, This scheme was not without its successes. and remained in touch long after Moses’s the Lord Privy Seal, John Robinson, then years later. £734 and £566 respectively. Finally, in June repairing and resetting existing pieces. The The partnership account shows that in June departure for India in 1713. representing Britain at the Utrecht peace Peace did little to improve Richard’s 1734, Richard’s grandson Henry (Magnificent) Money Lent ledgers also reveal that jewellery 1709 Moses was paid £500 ‘for his Interest Even with good contacts the early 1700s talks. Would Robinson forward a packet prospects. A gloomy Masson predicted ‘for put in £2,025–5–0 of his own money to clear played an important role in his banking & Profytt in the Great p’r of Ear Rings and was not a propitious time to be selling to Paris under cover of his own dispatches? a long time diamonds will not take favour in the account. The Hoares’ diamond dealing business. In 1684, for example, the Duchess drops.’1 But sales were difficult to come by. diamonds. The War of Spanish Succession Needless to say, the packet, a small, flat France because money is Extreamly scairse days were over. of Cleveland, Charles II’s most notorious The trade was a secretive one, dominated (1701–14) coupled with periodic outbreaks box wrapped in paper and sealed with five since all the diminutions that we have had & And Marcus Moses? On his return to mistress and a woman renowned for her by a handful of tightly-knit Jewish families, of plague had left little inclination or cash separate seals, contained diamonds – a pair the frequent Bankruptcies which happen in London in 1721, reputedly with a great extravagance, was loaned £308–6–8 against making it difficult for outsiders to gain any for luxuries. And on the rare occasion that of earrings and five rings set with brilliants – trade … Those who have any money rather fortune, he set about trying to sell a large green four diamond rings. A decade later Lady meaningful foothold, a factor that may an opportunity did present itself the price valued at £6,500. Robinson duly forwarded choose to keep it then to lay it out in goods diamond to George II for £10,000. The King Charlotte De Roy borrowed £150 against a explain why Richard elected to join forces offered invariably fell short of Richard’s the box via a Monsieur de la Faye, along with or diamonds which are fallen from 30, 40 was fascinated, but failed to bite. The Dresden diamond ring and a sword hilt, while in 1703 with Moses in the first place. Certainly somewhat unrealistic expectations. Finally, some of the peace treaty ratifications. to 50 per cent of what they were worth Green Diamond, as it became known, the Earl of Orford secured £1,500 against an Richard’s letters indicate that he expected in 1716, after a year of tedious negotiation, Despite Masson’s bullish talk it soon formerly.’ To make matters worse, diamonds eventually found its way into the collection assortment of jewels. to profit from Moses’s contacts, particularly Beckhoff persuaded Richard to accept an became clear that there were no more quick were becoming scarce in India, while the of Frederick Augustus II of Saxony. Moses, Although Richard bought and sold a those in his native Hamburg. In 1709 offer of 11,000 Rix Dollars for three diamond or handsome profits to be had at Paris than Indians, having woken up to the huge profits though, did not live to see it. His wealth variety of gemstones – rubies, sapphires, Richard wrote to his son Thomas, who had rings, to be paid in three instalments. The at Amsterdam or Hamburg. And the chief European merchants had been raking in, steadily ebbed away throughout the 1720s, emeralds, turquoises and pearls – diamonds been placed in a Hamburg merchant’s house, purchaser, Lewis Weysweiler, was declared by stumbling block once again was price. In began demanding much higher prices for so much so that in 1727–28 he was forced to accounted for a sizeable proportion of his to say that Moses had asked his brother- all to be a man of good standing and reliable December 1714, eighteen months after those that did emerge. By 1716 Masson had borrow £4,000 from Hoare’s, secured partly stock. A few were acquired from customers in-law and several other dealers to instruct credit. Yet within weeks of the deal being receiving Richard’s diamonds, Masson wrote had enough. Disappointed in both the quality against ‘a sett of Brilliant Diamond Barriers & looking to trade up, reduce their debts or the boy in the diamond trade. Subsequent agreed Weysweiler had fled Hamburg for despairingly, ‘I have never been offered more and quantity of a batch of diamonds he had Girdle Buckle.’5 Soon afterwards a bankrupt dispose of a deceased relative’s estate. But letters, however, suggest that this training Vienna, leaving a trail of protested bills in his than 15 to 16000 Livers [£950-£1,000] for received from Marcus Moses in return for Moses returned to Madras in a bid to resurrect most came directly from India, then the only never materialised. They also reveal how wake. To make matters worse, his brother- ye pair of Ear Rings wch you value at £1300 6,000 Pieces of Eight, and disheartened by his fortune. But his arrival there coincided known source of diamonds, via East India murky diamond dealing could be. A few in-law had taken Richard’s three rings to sterling, more than 20 to 22000 Livers Moses’s warning that ‘Diamonds are so dear with the discovery of huge diamond deposits Company merchants. These Richard either months later Richard and Moses instructed Leipzig, expecting to find Weysweiler there. [£1,250-£1,380] for the ring which you value beyond imagination,’ Masson resolved not to in Brazil. There could be no second fortune. A sold on in the rough for a quick profit or had Thomas to offer Levyn Moses Nathan 2% As soon as the news broke, Weysweiler’s at £1600 & more than 24000 Livers [£1,500] send for any more. poverty-­stricken Moses died in 1735. cut and set into rings, necklaces or earrings commission on any of their diamonds that creditors set a guard on his house to prevent by local craftsmen. Nathan or his partners might buy from his wife disposing of any assets or slipping At first Richard was content to buy and Beckhoff or Greve, ‘but you must injoyn to all away to join him. A desperate Beckhoff was sell within the confines of London. But by the Secrecy imaginable that no Person living forced to act quickly. ‘I’ve taken from [Mrs the early 1700s he had more ambitious plans may know it, and that he does not demand at Weysweiler] a writing … wherein she obligeth in mind. The first hint of these appear in a any time of [Messrs] Beckhoff or Greve more her self ye 3 brilliants wch she has given to her letter, dated March 1706, from London based than half per cent, and the other 1&½ [we] brother Moses Polake for Leipzig, to deliver diamond merchant Marcus Moses. It reveals will punctually but privaley pay him, either back again in natura without any dammage, that Moses was in Amsterdam at Richard’s in London or Hambrough … therefore let or to pay ye money, under punishment of ye behest, to sell a diamond necklace and ring all your discourses with the said Mr Levyn prison, of wch writing I sent last Wensday purchased from one of the bank’s more debt- Moses Nathan be at some private Places a copy with an assignation of her for sd 3 ridden customers, the late Earl of Burlington, where you may not be in danger of being diamonds stones to my friend at Leipzig, for and conclude a deal for a brilliant ring. A overheard.’2 in case he can yet find ye said Moses Polake year later the two men entered into a formal So pervasive was this air of general there … I hope yet it is possible to save you, diamond dealing partnership. Richard mistrust that before long Richard was wch me shd make merry of all my heart.’3 To supplied most of the capital, while Moses’s even asking Thomas to spy on Moses. Beckhoff’s immense relief, Polake returned expertise and contacts were to be put to good ‘[T]hank you for the Account you give me to Hamburg and surrendered the rings before use buying and selling the stones. Any profits of tran[sactions] managed between Mr word of his arrival reached Weysweiler’s would be split 50:50. Over the next twelve Marcus Moses and Madam Lenkers, if you other creditors. months the pair spent £10,200 purchasing, can inform your self any thing farther in that In 1713, having failed to sell many cutting and setting 37 diamonds before affair, or any other business that Mr Moses diamonds in Amsterdam or Hamburg, shipping them to the Continent for sale via a carrys on with any other Person, it will be of Richard decided to try his luck at Paris. Local

[ 58 ] [ 59 ] 25 Letter by Captain Robert FitzRoy of HMS Beagle, 1833 In November 1833 the captain of a naval barque moored off Montevideo, Uruguay, wrote a letter to his banker, Henry Hugh Hoare. Both the captain, Robert FitzRoy, and his vessel, HMS Beagle, were nearly halfway through a five-year voyage, one that would take them round the world and into the history books.

Robert FitzRoy (1805–65), son of bank become the stuff of legend. Life on board This second voyage was supposed to customer General Lord Charles FitzRoy and Beagle was never easy though. With seventy- last no more than two years. But FitzRoy a grandson of both the Duke of Grafton and four men crammed into a ­ninety-foot long soon realised that without adequate back the Marquess of Londonderry, entered the vessel, space was at a premium; Darwin up it would be impossible to do all that was Royal Naval College, Portsmouth, at the age reputedly had to dismantle a drawer before required within such a short space of time. of twelve and undertook his first long sea squeezing into his bunk each night. And ‘I had often anxiously longed for a consort, voyage at fourteen. In 1824 FitzRoy’s early beyond Beagle lurked constant dangers: adapted for carrying cargoes, rigged so as promise was underlined when he succeeded tempests, earthquakes, hostile locals and to be easily worked with few hands, and in passing the naval lieutenant’s examination disease. able to keep company with the Beagle.’1 For without dropping a single mark, a hitherto unheard of feat. Four years later, aged just twenty-three, he was appointed temporary commander of HMS Beagle, then in the midst of a survey expedition to South America. Hydrographic surveys formed a vital part of the Royal Navy’s work in the years following the Napoleonic Wars. With a burgeoning Empire to protect and the rapacious demands of an industrial revolution to placate, British ships were criss-crossing the globe as never before. But a lack of accurate maps was costing the country dear in shipping, cargoes and men. To reduce these losses, therefore, the Admiralty organised a series of survey expeditions, deploying Royal Navy vessels to chart coastlines and harbours worldwide, but particularly in mineral-rich South America, where new and potentially lucrative markets were opening up. When FitzRoy assumed command of the Beagle in 1828 she was halfway through just such an expedition, one that aimed to map the coastline of Patagonia. So able a commander and surveyor did FitzRoy prove himself to be that when a second expedition was agreed upon in 1831 he was appointed Captain once more. On 27th December 1831 HMS Beagle left Plymouth with orders to continue her survey along the southern coastline of South America and run a chain of chronometric readings around the globe. Dreading the loneliness of command, and mindful that it had contributed to his predecessor’s suicide, FitzRoy requested that a gentleman companion, one who shared his interest in science, be found to accompany him. The man chosen was twenty-two year old Cambridge graduate Charles Darwin, and Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy FRGS by unknown artist the voyage the two men undertook would Reproduced by kind permission of Greenwich Hospital, A Royal Navy Charity since 1694

[ 60 ] 26 Photograph of the Eton Ramblers cricket team, 1912 a time he rented extra vessels as and when Six days after this letter was written Beagle of Trade in 1854. With characteristic verve ‘In these days, when in some quarters there is a tendency to decry the grand old game and to try to tinker with the laws, they were required, paying for them out of and Adventure left Montevideo together. FitzRoy threw himself into this latter role, in order to pander to the taste of a public vitiated by spectacular games, any movement in this direction of true amateur his own pocket. But in March 1833 he took ‘After passing several months at the Falkland gathering vast amounts of data from sea the bold step of paying a Scottish sealing islands and on the Southern coasts of this captains and devising new instruments to sport will be welcomed by lovers of cricket, and such a game as that played at Basingstoke on Wednesday and Thursday, master £1,300 – ‘a very low price considering continent,’ FitzRoy advised Hugh Hoare, help them take more accurate readings. He though probably only witnessed by a limited number of favoured spectators, would have been worth going far to see.’ her intrinsic value’ – for a 170 ton schooner, ‘we shall slowly work our way along the also invented a storm warning device for (The Sportsman, 26 July 1912) Unicorn. Darwin grasped the significance coasts of Chili and Peru. A Sea Survey – if fishing fleets and set up weather stations of FitzRoy’s purchase immediately. ‘If the correctly taken, requires so much Time and across Britain, each of which was ordered to Admiralty sanction the provisioning and such constant attention, that it must appear submit reports every few hours via telegraph. payment of men, this [acquisition] will be an extremely tedious to all except those engaged Detailed analysis of all this information led important one in the history of the Beagle. in the work. About three years more must FitzRoy to begin, as he put it, ‘forecasting Perhaps it may shorten our cruise, anyway it elapse before my task will be completed.’ In the weather.’ So accurate were these forecasts will double the work done; & when at sea, it is late January FitzRoy dispatched the Adventure considered to be that The Times started always pleasant to be sailing in company; the to the Falkland Islands with instructions to publishing them daily from 1860. consort affords an object of attention to break carry out additional survey work, while he By the time FitzRoy retired he was the monotonous horizon of the ocean.’2 steered the Beagle towards Tierra del Fuego an Admiral and a Fellow of the Royal It was Unicorn that prompted FitzRoy’s and the Santa Cruz River. Three months later Society, whose work both on board Beagle letter to Hugh Hoare. ‘Having purchased the two reunited by the Strait of Magellan and subsequently had made a significant and fitted out a vessel, to act as a Tender to and progressed in tandem up the west coast contribution to science and saved countless the Beagle, and not having, as yet, obtained of Chile before reaching Valparaiso on 22nd seamen’s lives. But FitzRoy himself an order from the Admiralty authorising July 1834. increasingly came to regard his life as a such a step on account of Government, I It was at Valparaiso that FitzRoy received failure, a conviction which led ultimately to have drawn upon your house for the sum the news he had been dreading. The suicide. of eight hundred and sixty pounds sterling, Admiralty did not approve of his purchase Today FitzRoy’s achievements are by three sets of bills of exchange.’3 FitzRoy and had refused to sanction it. Nor did honoured across the world. A Patagonian was at pains to point out the value his new FitzRoy have sufficient funds to maintain the mountain, an Australian river and a Falkland consort, which he optimistically renamed Adventure himself. Eighteen months after Islands settlement are all named after Adventure, represented. ‘The vessel I have acquiring her, therefore, FitzRoy was forced him. Most fitting of all, perhaps, his name purchased is admirably adapted to her to sell his much-valued consort. Although the now forms part of BBC Radio 4’s Shipping present Employment. She has now, on board, price he obtained, nearly £1,400, was slightly Forecast. Even in 1833, however, FitzRoy provisions for ten months and stores of all more than he had paid, the substantial sums recognised the importance of his work other kinds enough for three years fair wear, FitzRoy had spent fitting the vessel out and and appeared accepting of the sacrifices it but allowing for hard work and accidents she maintaining her crew meant an overall deficit might entail. For his letter to Hugh Hoare is well found for two years, at least. She is a of several hundred pounds. More vexing in contained a postscript. ‘PS I hope that my Schooner, English built – and … will always his eyes, however, was the knowledge that relations will not know what expence I have command a good price upon the coasts of the Adventure’s loss would severely curtail his incurred by purchasing and hiring vessels. Chili [sic] – or Peru – being just the right sort expedition. ‘I saw that all my cherished hopes Their anxiety would be excited unnecessarily. of vessel for a trader, in those climates, or of examining many groups of islands in the Those who are married and have children indeed in any part of the world.’ He hoped Pacific, besides making a complete survey of do not think as an unmarried sailor whose too that support from Whitehall would be the Chilian and Peruvian shores, must utterly castle is the hollow oak, whose home is on forthcoming. ‘Perhaps, after inspecting fail.’4 the sea. Such a voyage, as I am now making the documents I am now sending to the HMS Beagle finally returned to England in is not likely to occur twice in my life and I am Hydrographical Office – the wise heads at October 1836. Two years later FitzRoy and quite resolved to sacrifice future comforts the Admiralty may give me some assistance Darwin’s voyage formed the cornerstone – and views of settling on shore – to the – and lighten the heavy burden which now of a four volume publication, Narrative of effective execution of the service in which lies Entirely upon me.’ In the meantime, the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty’s Ships I am engaged. If I can afford it, I shall take he asked Hoare’s to pay both the £860 Adventure and Beagle between the Years 1826 and my consort – (she is dumb – obedient – and and an additional £200 in drafts from his 1836. Darwin’s account proved so popular does not eat) round the world with me. If her This photograph serves as a permanent eighteenth century that the game really cricket ground. In 1787 Lord leased a piece of account, which he fully expected to have been that it was soon reissued in its own right. The expences exceed what I can pay I must sell reminder of those far off days in July 1912, took off, with wealthy aristocrats funding land in Dorset Fields (now Dorset Square), credited with £2,000 from the late Dowager Voyage of the Beagle, as it became known, made her, and enjoy the satisfaction of having done when the Eton Ramblers, a team made up their own clubs and staking huge sums on Marylebone, and the Marylebone Cricket Marchioness of Londonderry’s executors and Darwin a household name and paved the way my little all for the good of my country, and entirely of members of the Hoare family, the outcome of matches. One of the most Club was born. A decade or so later Lord a further £1,000 from Lord James FitzRoy. for his revolutionary work, On the Origin of the satisfaction of those who are kind enough all of whom had attended Eton College, famous of these clubs was known to be moved his cricket ground to a new base in St Almost casually FitzRoy added, ‘If the sums Species (1859). to feel interested in my conduct.’ defeated a Basingstoke & North Hants XI playing matches at White Conduit Fields, John’s Wood, where it remains to this day. mentioned … have not yet been received by FitzRoy’s post-Beagle career was no in a game of friendly rivalry. The family’s Islington, by the 1780s. As the number of Twenty years after Marylebone Cricket your house, may I beg that you will advance less successful. He was elected MP for Co. love of cricket, however, can be traced onlookers increased, however, the White Club was established, George Matthew to me the said [£1,060] and allow me to repay Durham in 1841 and served as Governor of back much further, to the early years of the Conduit Club’s members began craving a Hoare, son of bank Partner Henry Hoare you – with interest by those sums – as soon New Zealand for a time (1843–45) before nineteenth century. more secluded venue. This in turn persuaded (Mitcham), made the first of five appearances as they are placed to my credit – or by other being appointed to the newly created post Cricket has been played in England for them to underwrite vintner and WCC bowler for the Club, playing at Lord’s against a means.’ of Meteorological Statistician to the Board hundreds of years. But it was during the Thomas Lord’s bid to establish a private Middlesex XI in May 1807. He was succeeded

[ 62 ] [ 63 ] in due course by his nephew Arthur Malortie reported the Morning Chronicle.3 Eton scored [Hoare]’s XI and Mr Bertram [Hoare]’s XI in Hoare, two sons, Henry James Hoare and 135 in their first innings, while Harrow September 1959, which resulted in a win for Charles Hugh Hoare, and a grandson, managed 164. But Eton then mustered an the former by nineteen runs. Charles Twysden Hoare, who between them impressive second innings total of 229. Despite considerable enthusiasm, played nearly seventy first class matches, Even a succession of sharp showers failed to however, the bank’s team for many years mostly for Surrey or Middlesex, in a period dampen their form. And much to the Hoares’ struggled to compete effectively. In 1972 it spanning the 1830s to the 1870s. delight ‘Willy Oak’ was top scorer. ‘H W won just three matches out of twenty. But by Beyond these first class outings, members Hoare batted in a masterly style, and headed the 1980s things were looking up. The annual of the Hoare family could be found the score with 51, which comprised a six, two report for 1983 noted ‘A very successful occupying the crease in all manner of local fives, two fours, two threes, and two twos.’4 season, with 23 matches, winning 14, the contests. In 1845, for example, the Morning Soon after Harrow returned to the crease, highest number of wins for years. Especially Chronicle described an encounter between however, the rain set in once more and the pleased at “doing the double” over Coutts.’5 Eight Gentlemen of Surrey with Three match was declared a draw, an outcome A year later Hoare’s Cricket Club won twelve Players and The Mitcham Club. As the match Caroline deemed most unsatisfactory, matches out of twenty-two, although ‘It was reached its climax, Mitcham needed only two although ‘Both parties of course claim the disappointing that on quite a few occasions runs to tie, but had no wickets left in hand. victory.’ members of our club were to be found ‘It chanced that young Sherman hit a ball for Closer to home, there were several fielding for our opposition as they had arrived two, and off they set, and as was supposed, matches played in and around Staplehurst short of players. Even more frustrating to accomplished the feat, but it is somewhat that summer, with Caroline’s sisters often watch were the brilliant catches and superb difficult to describe the disappointment being called upon to act as scorers. The fielding of these surrogate fielders against which was depleted on the countenances of scorers’ book faithfully records each of these their own side.’ the supporters of Mitcham upon one of the encounters: Married v Single Members of Today C. Hoare & Co.’s cricket team umpires calling out “one short” … The next the 40th Kent Rifle Volunteer Corps, Past & continues to turn out each summer for ball took Mr Hoare’s wicket and thus they various cousins to find a band for that so Winchester had gone in & was not playing Present Etonians v All Comers, All England matches in and around London. lost the match by one run.’1 evening’s dance, ‘Mr Festing [cousin] having much better … they went out so fast that v Staplehurst and the somewhat bizarre Some of the most popular matches of only engaged a lady pianist & a fiddle; so we about 5 the stumps were drawn in order that sounding Boiled Potatoes v Fried Potatoes. the nineteenth century pitted England’s put them off & then had a fine hunt; went the Winchester boys who will come in large This last pitted four of Caroline’s brothers various public schools against one another. to about 6 music publishers, but till the 6th numbers tomorrow, & other visitors, might and ‘Willy Oak’ (Boiled) against her Uncle Cricket had become an established part of the (Cramer) their men were either engaged or see more of the game.’ Eton were eventually William (Fried). After much to-ing and fro- curriculum by 1800, resulting in a number of they asked too much; because it was such set a target of 66 to win, which they achieved ing the Boiled Potatoes emerged victorious enduring inter-school rivalries being forged. a short notice 4 men at £1–1–0 each we with eight wickets to spare. ‘Willy Oak’ did by two runs. The annual Eton v Harrow match, one of engaged at last.’2 better this time too, batting third and scoring While the Hoare family remained avid the oldest sporting fixtures in the world, was Next day the party journeyed on to 14. ‘It was grand play. There were a great cricketers throughout the nineteenth and first played at Lord’s in 1805, with future Eton. After depositing their luggage at the many people looking on, much more than twentieth centuries, cricket at the bank is a bank customer and poet Lord Byron among Christopher they walked to the playing yesterday & when there was a good hit, the more recent innovation. Accounts show that those selected for Harrow, while matches fields, where the match was already well clapping was tremendous … The match was Messrs Hoare paid five guineas per annum between Eton and Winchester began in 1826. underway. Eton were fielding, which meant over about 2 & then they chaired the two to the Private Banks’ Cricket Club during Both fixtures went to become great social Caroline was able to chat to her cousin ‘Willy captains; it was such fun seeing them.’ the 1880s, but there is no evidence they occasions, ranking alongside Royal Ascot Oak’ [Henry William Hoare of Oakfield A fortnight later ‘Willy Oak’ was back in ever fielded a team. Indeed, the first sign of or Henley Regatta, and attracted shoals of Lodge, Sussex], who had been stationed on action, having been selected for the Eton sporting life does not appear until June 1947, spectators as well as substantial newspaper the boundary. Not for long, however. The v Harrow match. Caroline did not attend when a Staff Sports Club was formed. By column inches. Wykehamists were dismissed by 1pm, having this time, but her mother, Walter and Sophy December that year, however, a Cricket Club In June 1861 Caroline Hoare, daughter scored just 78 runs. ‘At 1½ Eton went in & we joined nearly 6,000 other spectators at was up and running, with twenty members of bank Partner Henry Hoare (Staplehurst), were more interested,’ wrote Caroline, ‘but Lord’s. So enormous was the crowd, in paying weekly dues (1s) to the Head Porter. travelled up from Kent with her mother, disappointment awaited us; the first went fact, that 600 carriages had to be parked in Before long, regular Saturday matches were sister Sophy and brother Walter to watch out first ball actually & 3 others with nothing, double and triple file all round the ground. being played against the likes of Booth’s the Eton v Winchester match. On arrival at Willy among them; he was caught out – such ‘Throughout the game the excitement was Distillers, Kleinwort Benson, Griffin the Fleet Street banking house, the siblings a bore for us; they [Eton] too were out in an intense, the usual shouts from the boys, of Brewery and the Royal College of Surgeons. clipped and sorted dividend coupons until 1½ [for 112] & then we went in to dinner; “well hit”, “well bowled” and “well fielded”, There were also occasional home-grown lunch, then sallied forth with an aunt and when we went to the field again in an hour or as the case may be, were continuous,’ contests, including one between Mr Quintin

[ 64 ] [ 65 ] 27 Notice relating to King George’s Public Entry into London, 1714 Queen Anne, the last of the Stuart monarchs, died in 1714. Her successor, George, Elector of Hanover, and his descendants, would go on to rule Britain for over a century and give their name to an era: an era of profound change for both Britain and Hoare’s Bank.

The death of Queen Anne without a direct route, exhorting occupiers to ‘charge their for Bread Street Ward and himself a former heir, despite some eighteen pregnancies, Children, Servants, and Lodgers, neither Lord Mayor. After a brief pause at St Paul’s might have sparked a constitutional crisis. to … fire, fling, or throw [fireworks] out of to hear the Charity School children’s hymn But the Act of Settlement (1701), passed their Houses, Shops, or Warehouses, or in and a Latin speech from a Blue Coat boy, the while memories of the Glorious Revolution the Streets,’ although within days the Lord procession passed up Fleet Street to Temple were still raw, had settled the throne on Mayor was complaining that ‘several Rude Bar, where the King was welcomed by City James I’s Protestant granddaughter, Sophia, and Disorderly Persons have already begun of Westminster officials, and on to St James’s Electress of Hanover, and her heirs. Thus it to Throw, Cast, or Fire Squibs, Rockets, Palace. was Sophia’s son who succeeded his second Serpents, or other Fireworks in the Streets Merchant Ralph Thoresby reached the cousin Anne in 1714, despite the existence of and other Publick Passages of this City’ and City in time ‘to see the several trades and numerous Catholic relatives with far stronger warning of his resolve ‘Exemplarily to Punish companies with their banners, the charity claims. such Persons, (of what Age, Sex, Degree or children in particular stands in St Paul’s Following lengthy negotiations it was Quality soever) who shall dare to Offend.’3 church-yard; the streets crowded with decided that the new King would land at In addition to these measures, a barrage innumerable spectators, the balconies hung Greenwich in mid September and make his of printed orders rained down from with tapestry, and filled with ladies etc; then public entry into London a day or so later. officialdom. One reminded participants by my friend Mr Toll’s help, got a pure stand This presented London’s more commercially and spectators to refrain from wearing among the Grocers’ Company, where we had minded citizens with some unique money- mourning on the day of the procession. a fair view of the cavalcade … which was most making opportunities; opportunities they Another forbade hackneys, carts and drays splendid and magnificent above expression, were quick to seize upon. Tailors busied from venturing out until the cavalcade had the nobility even burdened with gold and themselves creating richly decorated robes, passed by. A third was aimed specifically at silver embroidery. We counted above two while publishers rushed out updated versions London’s Charity School children, 4,000 of hundred and six coaches, though there were of their works. Meditations upon our Blessed whom were to be assembled outside St Paul’s frequently two lords in one coach, besides Saviour’s Royal Entrance into Jerusalem, Cathedral on a 600-foot long, ten-row high the Bishops and Judges, etc … at last came occasion’d by the joyful Expectation of our only platform or ‘Machine’, ready to sing a hymn the most blessed sight of a Protestant King Rightful and Lawful Sovereign King George was upon the King’s arrival. Above all, this order and Prince (whom I had full view of) attended typical of those on offer. Most conspicuous, warned, ‘no Charity-Child shall undertake to with the loud acclamations of the people … though, were the advertisements for seats make any Speech to His Majesty, and if any It was above three hours from the beginning along the procession route. At the Bell in presume to act contrary hereto, they shall not to the end of the procession; the conduit ran Cornhill ‘an entire House will be fitted up only be stopp’d, pull’d down, and turned out wine. I afterwards walked with cousin Wilson with Seats and other Conveniences, for the the Machine, but be proceeded against in the to their feast at Cook’s-hall, the Grocers’ Entertainment of Persons who are desirous utmost Manner.’4 being let to the Bank of England: after supper of seeing the King’s Publick Entry … cold After placing his German dominions in saw the fire-works, drank one pint of canary, Eatables, with Wine and other Liquors the hands of a Council headed by his brother, and returned: heard of no damage, blessed be provided.’1 Not to be outdone, the occupier King George set out for Britain accompanied God!’5 of a corner house opposite Rochford’s by his eldest son and a small retinue of Celebrations marking the King’s arrival Chocolate House, Charing Cross, erected ‘a courtiers. They were met at The Hague by extended far beyond London. Bonfires, very long substantial Gallery, with a Balcony a delegation of British peers, who escorted church services, feasts and processions were round the Front, even with the first Floor … them over to Greenwich on 18th September. held all over the country, from Aberdeenshire supported with large Timber, and hung with Two days later the King and Prince formally in the north to Devon in the south. Divine Tapestry, fit for Gentlemen and Ladies … entered London, attended by hundreds of service at Bristol Cathedral was followed by The Fronts of the Balcony and Gallery are noblemen, several detachments of troops and a procession through streets festooned with made broad, to set Bottles and Plates on; a swirling mass of banner-carrying, brightly- banners and tapestries. Afterwards ‘a mast and a Cover over the Seats to preserve the liveried servants, trumpeters and drummers. hung with Tarr Barrels erected in the Midst, Spectators from Rain.’2 At Southwark the procession halted to greet was lighted … [on Brandon Hill] and then Preparations for the King’s arrival the Lord Mayor, who presented the City several in each Street took fire, attended with continued throughout August and Sword to the King before falling in with the usual Diversions of shouting, huzzaing September. Roads were mended and ‘well his officials, resplendent in scarlet gowns and Barrels of Ale … Illuminations were cleansed from Soil, Filth and Dirt.’ Parish and gold chains, among them the bank’s made from top to bottom in every House … Beadles visited every house along the founder Sir Richard Hoare Kt, Alderman the Ranges of Candles in Figures of Crowns,

[ 66 ] 28 Articles of Partnership for Messrs Hoare & Arnold, 1732 For most of its long history, Hoare’s Bank has been owned and run by the Hoare family. But between 1725 and 1758 the business traded as Messrs Hoare & Arnold. So who was Arnold? And how did he come to have a share in this fiercely independent family firm?

Circles and Half-Moons, all contributed a distant memory and the cramped shop John Arnold, son of a Salisbury gentleman, as a clerk, and by the early 1700s he had Two of John Arnold’s surviving three to make it a glorious Appearance; but if cum counting house had been usurped by a was apprenticed to goldsmith John Ward attained a degree of authority. In 1702 sons followed in his footsteps by training as any thing is more worth Notice, ‘twas the handsome Regency banking house staffed in 1669 and made free of the Goldsmiths’ Richard Hoare assured Madam Culpeper, goldsmiths. The eldest, John Roy Arnold, beautiful Contrivance of adorning the by fifteen clerks and four messengers. The Company in 1677. The first definite mention ‘Your stock is transferred to Mr Arnold was apprenticed to Benjamin Rhodes, Round-tops and Gunnels of the Ships at the Hoares themselves, meanwhile, had acquired of him at Hoare’s occurred almost ten years who has lived w’th me near Twenty years, who undertook much of Richard Hoare’s Key with Lights, which indeed added a fresh the archetypal trappings of Georgian wealth: later, in August 1686, when he was paid & has executed a declaration of trust’,1 engraving work, in 1697. Then on 23rd Beauty to the View.’ elegant London townhouses, bespoke £7–16–0 for engraving a set of teaspoons while the following year bank customer October 1705 fifteen year old Christopher Other celebrations were more overtly carriages and Chippendale-stuffed country and fashioning various porringers, candle- Samuel Pepys bequeathed mourning rings was apprenticed to Richard Hoare’s son political. Portsmouth’s principal inhabitants mansions set in landscaped gardens. sticks and snuffers. But sometime during to both Richard Hoare and ‘his Foreman, Henry. The bank’s records suggest that touted effigies of the Pope and Pretender Yet they never forgot their roots. As Sir the next twelve months John was taken on Mr Arnold.’ Christopher must have joined Hoare’s a little through the town alongside banners Richard’s grandson, Henry (Magnificent), proclaiming “God Preserve King George who dominated the bank for much of the & the Church of England” and “No Pope, Georgian era while simultaneously creating No Pretender” before fixing them atop a one of the most enduring of all landscape large bonfire; ‘several Squibs and Rockets gardens, was at pains to point out, any being very artificially put in the inside of the achievements regarding the latter were Figures, as soon as the Fire catch’d hold of ‘trifling in Comparison to that great one them they went off, to the great Diversion of [the Bank] from where all that We possess the Company.’6 is derived.’7 Over the next century Georgian Britain underwent a transformation. The population nearly doubled and the landscape became increasingly urban as towns and cities flourished. It was an era too of great advances in technology and infrastructure, culture and science. Crop rotation, steam power, canals, turnpike roads, picture galleries, landscape gardens, museums and novels all emerged or evolved under the Georgians. These in turn helped fuel a new phenomenon: mass consumerism. For the first time, large quantities of affordable goods were within the grasp of millions. Shopping became a popular pastime and some familiar brands began to appear, among them Chippendale (furniture), Wedgwood (china) and Colman (mustard). Finance too acquired new levels of sophistication. Banks sprang up all over the country, credit became more widely available and institutions such as The Society of Lloyd’s and the London Stock Exchange began assuming forms familiar to us today. For Hoare’s Bank the Georgian period was one of profound change. In 1714 the bank’s founder, Sir Richard Hoare Kt, and his son Henry were operating as goldsmith/bankers in a narrow, dark building, selling plate and jewellery in their shop to the front and using the back room as a Counting House. But by 1830 Messrs Hoare’s goldsmithing days were

[ 68 ] [ 69 ] earlier, however, for his signature appears bank’s three mainstays, who between them the said Richard Hoare [£230 p.a.] out of the investments in Stocks, Annuities and alongside those of his father and another had invested 110 years in the business, were said Joint Stock for Boarding and Lodging Lottery Tickets, private lending and rents clerk as a witness to the annual statement gone, leaving Henry’s brother, thirty-one the Clerks and Accomptants belonging to the on a number of properties, including some of assets and liabilities in September 1705. year old Benjamin, as the sole surviving Shop and for the Wages and Board of a Cook belonging to his wife Mary. And because he The records also indicate Christopher’s Partner. and of a Man Servant and Maid Servant to had outlived every one of his children, it was apprenticeship was not entirely plain sailing. Within weeks of Henry’s death a new attend them.’4 to Mary that the bulk of this fortune passed. ‘I heartily beg your Lordship’s pardon for partnership had been formed between Once a Partner Arnold’s bank-derived Mary remained at Hampstead for another the mistake that has hap[p]ened by the Benjamin Hoare, Henry’s nineteen year income increased dramatically, from a twelve years, cosseted by three maidservants, carelessness of my servant Christo: Arnold,’ old son, Henry (Magnificent), and the combined salary and bonus of c.£50 p.a. to an a cook, a coachman, a gardener and a lady Richard Hoare wrote to Lord Ashburnham vastly experienced Christopher Arnold. annual share of the profits that was never less companion. An inventory taken after her in 1706, ‘my son Harry writ a not[e] for ten At the same time, acting in accordance than £800 and sometimes exceeded £2,000. death in 1770 offers a glimpse of the style pounds payable to Mr Edw’d White and gave with a wish expressed in Henry’s will, his The most enduring legacy of this newly she chose to live in: Chinese wallpaper and it to inclose in his Letter after it was coppyd younger son, fifteen year old Richard, was acquired status and prosperity would be his Chelsea china shepherds in the drawing but [Arnold] very carlessley neglected to doe apprenticed to Benjamin with a view to his house at Hampstead. Hampstead’s iron-rich room, a wrought-work four-poster bed in [so.] I have now inclosed the said note, and becoming a Partner at twenty-one ‘if he spring waters had attracted a steady stream of the back bed chamber, a profusion of gilded have [not] anything more to add but that I continues to behave himself well.’ The exact invalids and hypochondriacs during the early chairs, mahogany tables and japanned am My Lord yo’r Lordships most Faithfull terms of this partnership are unknown. 1700s and enabled the local Flask Tavern to clocks throughout. Mary’s will, though, Humble Servant.’ Henry Hoare was equally But in 1727 Christopher Arnold opened an do brisk trade supplying bottled water (3d per betrayed an anxious desire to safeguard her contrite. ‘I take this opportunity myself account to record the buying and selling flask) to selected London retailers. Later, as home’s future. Both house and contents likewise to begg your Lordships pardon for of Stocks on behalf of the partnership, the the fashion for Hampstead’s waters receded, were left in trust to her nephew and his that heigh neglect & carlessness my servant holding of customer Stocks (as nominee) the village became popular with City men heirs on condition that they resided there was guilty of but I doe assure yo’r Lordship and the lending of money against such eager to exchange London’s smog-soaked and kept it in good repair. But just six years that I [shall] take care to prevent any thing of Stocks, suggesting that he had assumed streets for a rus in urbe lifestyle amidst later her surviving trustee, Richard Hoare that nature for the Future.’2 responsibility for those aspects of the what local physician John Soame dubbed (Boreham), realising the house and its Over the next twenty years Christopher business. Hampstead’s ‘dry, clear and balsamick Air.’5 extensive garden were too costly to maintain, Arnold flitted in and out of sight: witnessing As his father had hoped, Richard Hoare By the time Christopher Arnold arrived obtained a private Act of Parliament enabling the execution of a deed poll in 1712, investing was admitted into the partnership in there in the 1740s Hampstead offered all the him to sell up. Within weeks the press was in a scheme to produce oil from a wholesome 1731. Again the exact terms are unknown, trappings of genteel life: inns and tea rooms, advertising ‘An Elegant Copyhold Villa … seed in 1715 and issuing the occasional note. although a division of the profits in June concerts and Assemblies, bowling greens, most delightfully situate happily crowning ‘Lost yesterday … 2 Notes of Sir Richard 1732 reveals the share each man held in walks and horseracing on the heath. the summit of the hill on Hampstead Hoare, payable to Mr Orlebar Fletcher, one the business. Benjamin and Henry Hoare In 1744 Arnold paid £143–15–0 for a house Heath, exhibiting prospects extensive and for 300l, dated Nov 3, 1718, under the Hand received £6,509–7–9 apiece, Christopher and three small parcels of land on the summit uncommonly rich; the house and grounds of Chr: Arnold … If offer’d in Payment, Arnold £2,066–9–5 and Richard Hoare of Hampstead Heath. Without doubt the most eligibly disposed, and in perfect repair; Discount, or otherwise, pray stop them. £1,446–10–7. Weeks later, however, revised property’s main attraction was its spectacular abound with conveniences, and well supplied And whoever brings them to Sir Richard articles of partnership significantly altered view. Dr Soame, who had been acquainted with excellent water. To be viewed with Hoare and Company, Goldsmiths, in Fleet the balance of power. Henry (Magnificent)’s with a previous occupant, described how Tickets, which may be had of [auctioneer] street, shall have 3 Guineas Reward, and no share increased to one half, his uncle he had ‘seen out of Mr Brookes’s Parlour … Mr Christie.’8 Soon afterwards the house Questions ask’d.’3 By 1720 Christopher was Benjamin’s decreased to a quarter, while with his Telescope, the Ships lying at Anchor was sold to William Woodroffe Guidott of one of four or five clerks employed at Hoare’s. Christopher Arnold and Richard Hoare before Gravesend, and even a good way Berners Street, Marylebone, and the money By this time too he was living in nearby Fetter were assigned an eighth share each. beyond it. Here you may divert your Eyes, reinvested on behalf of Mary’s heirs. Lane with a growing family, having married Simultaneously, the four Partners agreed to either by seeing the Ships sailing up and Today Heath House faces an uncertain Mary Bragg, daughter of bank customer raise a joint stock of £10,000, resulting in down the River, or with the View of several future. Empty and nearly derelict, its once Ralph Bragg, in 1716. contributions of £5,000 by Henry, £2,500 by fine Palaces.’6 Arnold was no stranger to spectacular views are obscured by scaffolding These changes in Christopher Arnold’s Benjamin and £1,250 apiece from Richard Hampstead, however, having rented there and tarpaulin while its position, wedged personal life presaged a period of change Hoare and Christopher Arnold. Finally, the periodically since at least 1735. Nor did he painter William Goulding and Mary Arnold’s have [it] for the Queen, on her coming to between two busy roads, means that the at Hoare’s Bank. Richard Hoare’s death in articles stipulated that Henry be allowed waste any time making the house his own. brother-in-law, upholder Richard Marshall. England, as a breakfasting house, provided peace and ‘balsamick air’ enjoyed by the 1719 was followed three years later by that of £120 p.a. from the joint stock ‘for the Rent Over the next two years large sums were paid The result was a modern elegant villa, Mr A would part with it.’7 Arnolds seem lost forever. his faithful lieutenant John Arnold. Then in of the … House and Shop. And that the said out to various local and London tradesmen, complete with stables, coach house, pleasure Christopher Arnold died in 1758 a March 1725 Henry Hoare died suddenly at Richard Hoare and his Family shall dwell and including bricklayer George Blaney, grounds and garden, a villa so admired there wealthy man, with an income derived not the age of 46. After decades of stability the reside therein and there shall be allowed to carpenter John Hall, plumber Jelliff Phillips, were even whispers ‘his Majesty wished to only from banking but also from substantial

[ 70 ] [ 71 ] 29 Subscription for Sufferers at Sidmouth by Storm, 1824 ‘The whole lower town was inundated, and the inhabitants of houses on the beach had nothing but death staring them the meagre stores they had laid up against along the mighty rivers – the Rhine, Elbe aid to the Distressed on whatever land they full in the face, all retreat being cut off … the shrieks and supplicating attitudes of the females and children, the dreadful the onset of winter, but also their boats and and Danube – mills, factories and bridges were found to exist. British sympathy has nets, rendering them incapable of sustaining had been swept away. Almost overnight, never slept, and will be found on this occasion, roar of the sea, and the general wreck which presented itself on every side, are the prominent parts in this awful picture.’ themselves or their families. Subscriptions 50,000 people were left with nothing but we are convinced, as wakeful and as fervent as (Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post, 2 December 1824) were opened at Weymouth, Melcombe Regis the clothes they stood up in. And with ever.’5 and London as well as on Portland itself, temperatures plummeting and the price By 10th December some £1,400 had been while the ladies of the local Dorcas Society of basic foodstuffs soaring, their prospects remitted to Germany, although as estimates of ‘set themselves and their servants to work looked bleak. The situation was summed up the total damage ran into many millions this in making the most requisite articles of by a Frankfurt lady. ‘Thousands of human was a fraction of the sum required. And worse On the night of 22nd-23rd November 1824 Mousehole’s citizens were amply supplied during a second meeting on 28th November clothing. Their kindness did not end there, beings are wandering on the high roads, was to follow. In February 1825 prolonged the fashionable seaside resort of Sidmouth, with oranges. Out of the carnage, however, it was decided to launch a wider-reaching but on different days some of the Ladies without shelter, without clothing, without rain caused the dykes protecting George Devon, was laid low by one of the worst emerged remarkable tales of heroism and subscription ‘in aid of those distressed came to Portland themselves as a Committee, food … the Ladies have formed a Society IV’s Hanoverian dominions from the sea storms in living memory. Hurricane force survival. The daring rescue of a stricken Tradesmen whose heavy losses the former to see their charity properly dispensed as for the supply of clothing; hundreds of and the Elbe to give way. Yet again farmland winds and torrential rain ripped through barque’s crew resulted in three Lyme Regis subscription proves inadequate to repair. far as in their Power. They came by water, dresses have been cut out and made. I have was laid waste, cattle swept to their deaths the normally tranquil town before the sea, men being awarded some of the first National Subscriptions will be thankfully received and brought their clothes with them; an begged for the purpose from house to house, and thousands of villagers left homeless. whipped to fever pitch, surged ashore. Institution for the Preservation of Life from by the Committee … at the Bank of Messrs undertaking at this season of the year, that and have exceeded everywhere beyond my More ominously, sea water poured into the Daybreak revealed the full extent of the Shipwreck (now RNLI) medals. Perhaps the Hobhouse and Co. [Bath]; and in London, at nothing but great warmth of feeling and expectation. The whole city, the servants wells and cisterns, causing severe shortages devastation. ‘Several [houses] are destroyed, strangest survival story, though, emerged a Messrs Hoares Bankers, Fleet Street.’2 The goodness of heart could have enabled them not excepted, animated by one general of drinking water and virulent outbreaks of others unroofed and most seriously injured; fortnight later, when the coal-carrying Dart account at Hoare’s, opened on 7th December, to undergo.’3 By early 1825 the Portland sentiment, gave what they could spare. In disease. The cycle of Committees, appeals and the fine gravel promenade which used to was spotted floating off Selsey under a flag raised £46–16–0 over the next few weeks. subscription, bolstered by a donation of 200 money and clothes there has been collected subscriptions, led by the Duke of York and be the admiration of all visitors is totally of distress. The only creature rescuers found Sidmouth’s example was imitated guineas by George IV, had exceeded £2,000. to the amount of 33,000 guilders; but, alas! backed by a £2,000 donation from George IV, destroyed.’1 Seafront residents, marooned in on board was a cat, a chance survival that throughout Devon and beyond. An Exeter Great though these sufferings were, in so overwhelming a calamity, this sum is swung into action once again. the upper storeys of their houses, had but one proved a lucky omen for the Dart’s owner, for based subscription raised nearly £6,000, it soon became clear that England’s quite inadequate to defend the sufferers from It was this latter tragedy that stirred the means of escape: lowering themselves into without it both vessel and cargo would have helped in part by sales of a pathos-laden glee Continental neighbours had fared much hunger and despair.’4 hearts of Hoare’s Bank and its customers waiting boats by their bed sheets. been declared abandoned and seized by the for four voices by Devon born composer worse. By the end of November 1824 reports Within days of these reports reaching most. A subscription account opened on 23rd Sidmouth’s experience that night was Admiralty. Thomas Billington: ‘Hark how the South-west of misery and woe were arriving from across London an appeal had been launched by December in aid of ‘Sufferers in Germany not unique. Nearby Lyme Regis similarly Despite the horrors endured by those wind doth blow / A hurricane hurls all below northern Europe: shipwrecks off Jutland, merchant banker Nathan Meyer Rothschild. by Inundation’ had raised a paltry £33–2–0 endured flooding and the loss of its caught up in the storm, there was no / Dreary midnight tears and sighing / Moans inundations in France and Holland, entire A Committee was formed at the Baltic by the end of January. But once news of promenade. Penzance lighthouse was shorn attempt to apportion blame for what had and groans and bitter crying.’ In London, Swedish forests laid waste. In Russia troops Coffee House, Threadneedle Street, and the Hanoverian disaster broke donations in two, Polperro’s fishing fleet reduced to happened. Nor was there any expectation meanwhile, merchants and shipowners had to be drafted in to bury the dead, subscription accounts opened both in poured in thick and fast: Messrs Hoare (£50), finger-sized splinters and Brighton’s bathing that Parliament should relieve the sufferers. instigated several subscriptions on behalf of estimated at over 50,000 in St Petersburg London and in cities boasting significant the Earl of Pembroke (£20), a collection machines dashed to pieces on the rocks. Instead, the storms were deemed an act of the widows and children of lost mariners. But alone, after the Neva burst its banks, their trading links with Germany, notably Leeds by the Countess of Chichester at Stanmer, From Southampton came news that a man divine providence and communities set about it was Portland’s plight that struck the deepest gruesome task made more difficult by the and Manchester. ‘Such an appeal,’ exhorted Sussex (£47–3–6), Rev Gould’s collection at had been whirled to his death from the roof doing what they could to ease the plight of chord. For as the Committee charged with mountains of debris – furniture, logs, rubble the Committee, ‘cannot fail to be heard in Beaconsfield Church (£3–12–0). By June 1825 of the London mail coach. But some of the those affected. A hastily convened meeting at relieving that community was at pains to point and mud – that clogged the city’s streets. a country which has not only at different nearly £700 had been received at Hoare’s, most dismal reports came from Chiswell Sidmouth raised enough money to meet the out, a great number of poor fishermen had lost Germany too suffered greatly. Huge swathes times proved an asylum for all the exiles and making it one of the bank’s most successful on the Isle of Portland, where upwards of most urgent needs of the worst sufferers. But not only their homes, their belongings and of farmland lay submerged in water, while unfortunate of the earth, but has conveyed subscriptions of that period. one hundred houses had been swept away or irreparably damaged by a barrage of pebbles from the famed Chesil Beach, nearly thirty people had lost their lives and many others had been left destitute. Not that the damage was restricted to the coast. Salisbury Cathedral parted company with one of its turrets; numerous rivers, swollen beyond endurance, flooded villages, washed away hayricks and drowned livestock. Out on the open sea countless ships fell prey to the weather. The loss of the Corvile, a large West Indiaman laden with rum which went down off Fleet, only came to light because a crewmember had had the presence of mind to write his name and address on a strip of cloth and tie it round his neck before slipping beneath the waves. And for weeks afterwards beaches along the south coast were inundated with the wreckage and cargoes of lost ships. The residents of Mount’s Bay reaped a rich coffee harvest;

[ 72 ] [ 73 ] 30 Signature of Sir John Goodricke Bt, 1771 What’s in a name? Or rather, what’s in a signature? For bankers and their customers a valid signature has always been crucial, offering both assurance of mutual trust and preservation against fraud.

As the number of Bills and notes in circula- interest in Baron Bingley’s estate, Bramham signature on legal and financial documents. tion increased during the eighteenth century, Park, near Wetherby. On his return to Because the Bill of Exchange cashed by so too did the opportunities for deception. England, Goodricke was appointed a Privy Burton was only signed ‘J Goodricke’ and Customers took what precautions they could. Counsellor and entered Parliament as MP not ‘John Goodricke, Baronet,’ he argued, it ‘On Sunday se’ennight,’ Rev William Cooke for Pontefract. Henceforth his time would be could not be deemed a forgery by a court of of Eton informed Messrs Hoare in 1771, spent juggling political duties in London with law. ‘I dispatched a Bill for £10:3s:6d payable Ten the management of his extensive Yorkshire In the end neither the mysterious Mr days after date to Edward Smith, or Order. As land holdings. Jones nor the legal contortions surrounding I have no notice of its coming safe to hand, On 4th April 1789, a young man entered Goodricke’s signature mattered. For the case in case of its offering for Payment, I must Messrs Hoare’s banking house and presented never reached the Old Bailey. By mid May desire you will direct such Care may be taken a Bill of Exchange for £800, signed J. Burton had collapsed into a state of delirious upon the occasion as may be necessary for my Goodricke and payable on demand to the insanity from which he never recovered. He security … This Smith is a Land-Surveyor of order of one John Smith. At first the clerk, died in Newgate Prison on 2nd August 1789. Shrivenham near Farringdon Berks: I inclose William Willoughby, hesitated. To his mind Twenty-four hours later Goodricke too was his Name in his own hand-writing.’1 Banks the signature did not entirely resemble that dead, succumbing to old age and infirmity in too played their part, introducing signature of Sir John Goodricke. But the young man the somewhat more salubrious surroundings books, commonly called Firm Books, persisted, claiming he had been deputed to draft for £200. She was immediately detained £40 and made a present of another £40, facts of Bramham Park. which gave their clerks something to refer receive payment on behalf of John Smith, by the clerks while a messenger scuttled off confirmed by Goodricke’s bank account, At Hoare’s, evidence of the forgery can to whenever they had doubts regarding the whose endorsement was plainly visible on the to rouse the Bow Street Runners. Amidst which records a payment of £80 to Burton in be detected within the financial records. authenticity of a customer’s signature. back of the Bill. Nor was his face unfamiliar this commotion one of Messrs Taylor’s August 1788. Goodricke’s customer account gives little At Hoare’s there are several Firm Books, to Willoughby, for he had drawn on Sir John’s customers stepped forward; he had seen the At first Burton denied any wrongdoing, away: ‘4 April 1789 To J. Smith [£]00–0–0.’ dating from 1796 until 1913. Each volume account before. So after consulting with same woman alight from a hackney coach insisting that he did not know Sir John But the Profit & Loss account reveals that the covers a period of twenty to thirty years and his fellow clerks, who reminded him of the less than an hour earlier. On being taken to Goodricke and had taken the Bill of forgery ultimately cost the bank £145–13–6, is crammed with customer signatures, some elderly Goodricke’s propensity to gout, a the exact spot, the Runners discovered both Exchange to Hoare’s at the request of John far more than the £25 claimed by the press, written directly on to the page, others cut condition that often affected his handwriting, the hackney coach and a young man. A search Smith, although he failed to explain why but significantly less than the £800 that from letters and pasted in by the clerks. The Willoughby reluctantly gave way and issued revealed a £10 note in his fob pocket, one he had signed it as William Buck. On being might have been lost had things turned out Partners, though, regarded the Firm Books two bank notes – one for £500, the other for of the very notes issued to John Brewer by questioned for a second time, however, differently. The Profit & Loss account also as a last resort; all new clerks reputedly were £300 – which the young man signed for in the Taylor’s the previous week. Burton made a full confession and revealed shows that 1789 was a particularly unlucky given eighteen months to memorise all name of William Buck. That afternoon John Burton alias John the money’s whereabouts: it was hidden in year for Hoare’s. While losses to theft or customer signatures. Somewhat less clear Later that day, a couple arrived at the Brewer alias William Buck appeared at Bow a chest at Gravesend. A Bow Street Runner fraud amounted to just £27 in 1788 and is whether the Firm Book was introduced Lombard Street banking house of Messrs Street charged with ‘feloniously making was dispatched there post haste accompanied £25–12–4 in 1790, the total during 1789 was at Hoare’s only in 1796, somewhat later Taylor Lloyd Bowman & Co. The man and forging and feloniously Publishing as by Rachael Coppy, the woman with whom substantially higher: ‘To Loss on a Bank than many other banks, or whether earlier produced two bank notes (£500 and £300) true in the City of London A certain Bill of Burton had been co-habiting, while Burton Note stolen from the Shop (£12) … To Loss volumes simply have not survived. Sir John and asked to open an account. Following a Exchange purporting to be drawn by the was committed for trial at the Old Bailey. on Mrs Sturt’s draft paid when post dated Goodricke’s story suggests the former. discussion with William Bowman jnr, his Right Honourable Sir John Goodricke Bart If convicted he would in all likelihood be (£272–10–0).’3 In reality, however, no matter It also shows what can happen when things request was granted and the man signed on Messrs Hoares Bankers Fleet Street for condemned to death. how vigilant banks were, or what precautions go wrong. the Firm Book, giving his name as John the Payment of Eight hundred pounds and Faced with this grim prospect, Burton their customers adopted, forgeries could Sir John Goodricke 5th Bt (1708–89) Brewer and his address as 40 Limehouse. made payable to the Order of John Smith set about trying to extricate himself from never be eradicated entirely. An entry in the succeeded to his father’s title and Yorkshire Soon afterwards Brewer and his companion on demand … with intent to cheat and his difficulties. Within days of his arrest he Partners’ memoranda book ten years after estate at the age of thirty. Soon afterwards departed with £20 in cash, £180 in bank defraud the said Messrs Hoares.’2 Despite arranged for a subpoena to be served on the Burton case encapsulated the underlying he embarked on a diplomatic career, serving notes and a receipt note for the remaining the short notice, Willoughby, Bowman and a certain John Jones of Blackfriars Road, problem. ‘A Forgery discovered of a Draft of S in Brussels and Copenhagen before being £600, which Brewer indicated would remain Goodricke were all present to give evidence. Southwark, whose testimony Burton swore Chamberlayne for 68£. Mr Dodd [clerk] paid appointed minister to Stockholm in 1758. on deposit for some time. On seeing the prisoner, however, Goodricke was vital to his defence. When Jones’s it, but the Imitation so close as to baffle any His account at Hoare’s dates from 1765 and The Bill of Exchange was quickly was overcome with astonishment. For not landlord claimed his lodger had been called Supposition that it was not correct.’4 the first few years reflect this expatriate life, discovered to be a forgery. But of John only was Burton’s father a gardener on his away to Bristol on urgent business and was littered as it is with payments to the likes Brewer alias William Buck there was no sign, Yorkshire estates, but just months earlier not expected back inside a month, Burton of Messrs Appelroot & Co., Lars Kahre, either at 40 Limehouse or elsewhere. Both Goodricke had procured Burton jnr an India requested that his trial be postponed. Then Sigfred Ferman and John Eric Roberg. In he and his companion had vanished into thin House clerkship. Furthermore, ‘in order to at the beginning of May Burton’s lawyer 1773, however, Goodricke quit the diplomatic air. Then to everyone’s surprise the woman encourage and enable him to make a genteel asserted that the Patents of the Baronetage service after he and his wife inherited a life turned up at Taylor’s on 13th April with a commencement’ he had lent the young man obliged baronets to write ‘Baronet’ after their

[ 74 ] [ 75 ] 31 Portrait of Lady Frances Elizabeth Bruce by William Hoare RA, c.1775 Every picture may tell a story. But it does not always tell the whole story. For the serenity displayed here by Henry Hoare (Magnificent)’s granddaughter, Lady Frances Bruce, would be sorely lacking for much of her adult life.

Lady Frances Elizabeth Bruce, third child not until their brother’s engagement in 1793 with vivid descriptions of the performers and and second daughter of Thomas, Baron that things came to a head. For it was then audiences she encountered. Such a fragile Bruce, by his wife Susanna Hoare, was born that the two sisters – aged nearly twenty-eight peace could not last, however, and by 1799 in London on 31st May 1765. A delighted and thirty respectively – made a determined the subject of marriage had plunged the Bruce immediately instructed his agent to bid for independence. Refusing to live with family into crisis once again. plant some holly trees on his Wiltshire estate their father any longer, they insisted on Frances’s engagement to former army in honour of ‘a very fine Girl that is likely to being allowed to take a house of their own. captain Sir Henry Wilson Kt of Crofton, be worthy of being Queen of the Crabtree Both Caroline and Frances were under the Yorkshire, was greeted with universal dismay. Clump.’1 Despite this initial enthusiasm, impression that their parents’ marriage Wilson’s poor reputation concerned the however, it is unlikely Bruce saw very much settlement entitled them to £20,000 Bruces greatly, as did his willingness to of Frances or her three siblings during their apiece from the time they came of age or remarry less than six months after the death childhood. A career courtier, at the time of married. This though was not the case. The of his first wife. But money also played its Frances’s birth he was serving as a Gentleman settlement stipulated just £20,000 between part, for Ailesbury refused to pay the £10,000 of the Bedchamber to George III. In 1776 he them. Crucially, it also gave Ailesbury the Frances still believed she was entitled to. was created Earl of Ailesbury and appointed power to vary this sum as he saw fit and Instead, he proposed an annuity of £200. firstly Lord Chamberlain and later Treasurer even to withhold payment altogether. Lady A bigger stumbling block, though, was to Queen Charlotte – posts he would go on to Elgin, a close friend and confidante of Caroline, who refused either to return to her hold for nearly forty years. Ailesbury, commented that on explaining father or to continue living with her sister. At As the young Bruces reached adulthood, this to the two sisters she was met with ‘an the age of thirty-six Caroline wanted a home however, their father’s position offered some Astonishment beyond anything I ever saw.’4 of her own, a ‘chimerical notion’ according real advantages. And Frances in particular But while lamenting ‘the sad variance in to Ailesbury’s agent. In desperation Caroline made full use of them. Naturally more Your Family [which] I own I despair of ever begged Ailesbury, ‘Do only have the goodness outgoing than her sister – ‘serious Caroline’, seeing conquer’d,’5 Lady Elgin recommended to satisfy me You will settle something to ‘sprightly Fanny’ their mother labelled them – Ailesbury increase his daughters’ allowances make me tolerably comfortable, my present she was a familiar face at Court from the mid from £1 a month, which she regarded as no situation, and what it has been many months 1780s and her sense of style merited frequent more than a child might expect, to £30 or far surpasses all Language to describe, mentions in the press. ‘In the dress of Lady even £50 p.a., thereby relieving them from though my Sister has forfeited your Favor Frances Bruce much taste was displayed,’ the embarrassment of having to ask his agent Heaven knows I never meant it, and have observed the London Chronicle after the for every penny they might require. done everything to prevent her Unfortunate Queen’s Birthday Ball of 1788. ‘The petticoat In the end a compromise was reached. To Destination. God Grant it may prove a was of pale pink, covered with a white crape, avoid the gossip their taking a separate house happier one that from Circumstances there and ornamented with bunches of gold wheat would arouse, it was agreed the two sisters is reason to hope.’6 Her father though was ears, white corn flowers, and green and could stop at the family’s London residence unmoved. ‘There is no act of Kindness you gold foil, the fringe very superb, with silver for the summer instead of travelling to Lord may not have under My roof, but if the rooted tassels.’2 A few years later the Sun noted that Ailesbury’s country seat, Tottenham Park, aversion you have been worked up to against one Sunday ‘His Majesty, the Duchess of Wiltshire, as usual. This set the pattern for the living with me continues, you will be drove to York, and four of the Princesses, walked from next few years, during which an uneasy truce live in a way not creditable to yourself or kind Windsor to Clewer, attended by Lady Frances prevailed. Caroline and Frances remained by your Ever Affectionate Brother.’7 Bruce, General Bude, Colonel Garth, and mostly in London, but continued to write In an effort to break the deadlock, Mr Digby.’3 But behind these seemingly regular letters to their father, regaling him Ailesbury’s agent suggested Caroline be tranquil scenes, things were far from idyllic; with the latest scandal – everything from allowed £300 p.a. provided she continued years of simmering tension within the Bruce duels to elopements – alerting him to the living with Frances. To his amazement, family finally had erupted into an open and newest novels – Mrs Radcliffe’s Mysteries of however, this proposal was denounced by acrimonious dispute. Udolpho was long and tedious, apparently, both sisters. Frances declared her father Much of this tension stemmed from Lord Miss Gunnings’ Lord Fitzhenry rather more meant to be rid of them for a derisory Ailesbury’s marriage to Lady Anne Rawdon, palatable – and informing him of their doings £500 p.a. Caroline steadfastly refused to daughter of the Earl of Moira, in 1788, five – tea parties, phaeton rides and visits to the consider living with either her sister or her years after the death of Frances’s mother opera. Frances in particular became an avid father. Nor would she submit to living in Susanna. Frances and her sister Caroline opera goer, attending two or three times a reduced circumstances in lodgings. In short, never took to their stepmother. But it was week during the season and filling her letters nothing but a house of her own would satisfy

[ 76 ] 32 Caroline Hoare’s journal, describing a train crash at Staplehurst, 1865 ‘Friday June 9. Had a quiet morning, did not go beyond the garden. [A]t 4 I drove to meet Charles … & was then told of the fearful accident that had befallen the up-tidal train. The porters were busy telegraphing & I could learn little more than that the train had gone off a bridge just beyond Mr Mavering’s & that the passengers were in the water. It was awful!’1

her. Faced with such implacable resolve, Gazing down into the coffin, Frances Place until her death in 1824, while the Ailesbury was forced to give way. Armed recognised its occupant as a man who twenty Wright Wilsons (as they became known) with an allowance of £150 per quarter, later years earlier had stared up at her from the shuttled between Chelsea Park, Sir Henry’s raised to £200, Caroline took up residence in pit of the Opera House with such dogged Yorkshire estate and Frances’s property at a modern villa at Holles Place, Brompton, a persistence that she had felt compelled to Barton Stacey. On their deaths, in 1832 and stone’s throw from her new brother-in-law’s change her box. Wright’s will dated back 1836 respectively, all three estates passed five-acre estate, Chelsea Park. to 1800, and despite numerous codicils to the former’s niece, who had lived with Frances’s financial woes were less easily the main beneficiary, Frances, remained the couple since childhood. At the age of resolved. In 1809 she implored her brother unaltered. forty-five, therefore, Mary Wright Wilson, to help secure her an allowance equal to that Attempts by Wright’s relations to contest the orphaned, illegitimate and otherwise of her sister. ‘For put it to yourself – born the will came to nothing. Within a few penniless daughter of Sir Henry’s brother as I am – Your Sister – and to be connected months, therefore, Frances found herself Edward, found herself mistress of several with a Family for ten Years without having taking possession of a large estate at Barton properties and an annual income of over received one Shilling of Fortune when Stacey, Hampshire, smaller properties in £5,000. entitled to one – how would you esteem such Essex and Oxfordshire, some 3% Consols a Connection.’8 This was followed by an and a set of Inner Temple chambers. The even more impassioned plea. ‘I feel I am not press optimistically put this new-found conscious of deserving ten years persecution wealth at £20,000-£30,000 p.a., although a and hatred.’9 While these letters might more realistic income was probably £2,000- smack of hysteria, there are indications that £3,000. Whatever the total, the result was Frances’s husband’s views about money were the same. Frances at last had means of her as decided as her father’s. Sir Henry became own, although outright control once again embroiled in several ugly lawsuits over the lay just beyond her grasp; the law dictated years, culminating in one brought by Miss that the income pass to her husband during Harriet Wilson, described as ‘a near relation,’ his lifetime. who claimed she had been promised an Wright’s death was followed a few weeks annuity of £200 if she gave up her situation later by that of Frances’s father. Ailesbury’s as governess to the Countess of Sandwich’s will, however, opened up fresh wounds. For children, a position Sir Henry regarded as instead of inheriting £10,000 apiece, Frances Shortly after 2.30pm on 9th June 1865 in the stream. Help though arrived quickly. said some, ‘violent concussion of the brain’ ‘derogatory to himself.’ Miss Wilson had duly and Caroline were left lump sums of £1,000, the London bound tidal express departed Local residents rushed from their homes and declared others – but were united in their resigned, but the annuity never materialised, annuities totalling £1,000 and a share of Folkestone with about 110 passengers on frantic telegraphing brought many others to prognosis. There was little hope of recovery. leaving her utterly unprovided for. their mother’s jewels. From Ailesbury’s point board. But outside the village of Staplehurst, the scene, including surgeons from Ashford, When Caroline arrived the next day she Frances’s pleas regarding her allowance of view this made sound financial sense. Far Kent, tragedy struck. Workmen replacing a Frittenden and Tunbridge Wells. Passengers found her father conscious but oblivious to were similarly futile. Ailesbury’s resentment better to provide his daughters with annuities section of track along a bridge had no idea a also did what they could for each other. Two his surroundings. ‘We went up to him, but had not abated. ‘Instead of Ten years if it had raised from the interest on the £20,000 set train was due. By the time they did it was too ladies plucked a half-suffocated girl from the he took no notice; his poor face was greatly been double that time the impressions of my aside for them, thereby relieving his son from late. The express, travelling at the fast (for mud, saving her from certain death, while disfigured having a cut right across his right mind would have been the same as it was at the burden of raising such a large capital sum those times) speed of 50mph, ploughed into novelist Charles Dickens, returning from cheek & much of his face covered w[ith] tar.’ the first, and having now Grandchildren I am all at once. But for Caroline and Frances the partially laid track and derailed, sending Paris with his mistress, offered sips of water But once the initial shock had passed she the more not to countenance in any degree it was another bitter blow. They promptly ten carriages plummeting off the bridge to the injured and dying from an upturned and her family soon swung into action. ‘The disobedience to Parents.’10 consulted a lawyer about overturning the into a muddy stream below. One passenger top hat. first thing we could do was to make bran The answer to Frances’s predicament will, arguing it contravened the terms of described how ‘from bright sunshine all For the Hoares, who had lived at bags to put hot to his feet & legs, he being ultimately came from an entirely unforeseen their parents’ marriage settlement. While became darkness, and to me chaos … I found Staplehurst Park since the 1830s, the crash so dreadfully cold & he had beef tea & wine quarter. Early in 1814 a solicitor called at admitting the settlement had been loosely myself afterwards up to the knees in water, was especially poignant. Just weeks earlier, every hour after we came till 9, then every Chelsea Park to inform her that she had been worded, however, the lawyer cautioned in the middle of a heap of broken carriages, Caroline’s father Henry had inexplicably 2 hrs. A nurse had come, so she & Mama named chief beneficiary in the will of his against any action. After twenty years of amidst which … death and destruction leaned out of a Norfolk-bound train as were to sit up the first part of the night while recently deceased client, William Wright Esq. anticipation and frustration the two sisters reigned. The remains of the broken carriages it entered the Audley End tunnel; soon [Henry jnr] & Beatrice kept the kitchen At first Frances demurred. She knew no one were forced to accept they would never gain were projecting wheels upwards, from the afterwards, his lifeless body was spotted fire up for the bags.’ Gradually Henry’s of that name. But on being assured there was control over their fortunes. water, and the screams of the sufferers were slumped over the carriage doorway. The condition began to improve, although his indeed no mistake, she agreed to accompany Life after that became more settled for heart-rending.’2 Ten people were killed out- various doctors that descended on the scene mind continued to wander alarmingly at the solicitor to Wright’s Pimlico lodgings. both women. Caroline remained at Holles right; another fifty lay injured or drowning offered differing opinions – ‘fractured skull’ times – he often fancied himself at Dublin,

[ 78 ] [ 79 ] a place he had no connection with – and it train and either admitted to Guy’s Hospital, had been killed and his aunt lay injured at the worst fears would be confirmed later that first-class carriage in a first-class train, well trifles and had difficulty walking at times. would be nearly two months before he was fit given over to friends or deposited at a hotel. Station Hotel, although his younger sister evening. The accident also emphasised the appointed and well worked, on a good line Yet he refused to reduce his heavy workload, enough to leave the inn he had been carried to But a number were judged too seriously hurt somehow had escaped unharmed. Caroline random cruelty that invariably accompanies hitherto distinguished for its safety, on what attending meetings on local or church-related after the accident. His return to Staplehurst to withstand such a journey. Of these, six recorded that Lloyd bore the setting of his leg such disasters. A Hereford solicitor’s bride, is the confidence of railway travellers to rest?’ matters whenever possible and occasionally Park on 23rd May came less than three weeks were removed to the Station Hotel, five more ‘most bravely,’ but remained restless and in returning from her honeymoon, was killed spluttered The Times.3 Critics questioned the even venturing as far as Fleet Street. ‘Papa before the tidal express disaster. taken to the local doctor’s house and the considerable pain for some days. outright, while her new husband emerged need for daytime track repairs, especially to London for what he calls indispensable As soon as Caroline’s mother heard of remaining six lodged at houses up and down News of the accident brought large crowds unscathed. Other victims included a during the summer months when nearly Dividend work,’ wrote an exasperated the Staplehurst crash, she ordered beds to be the parish. The youngest, eleven year old flocking to London Bridge and Charing veterinary surgeon from Bolton-le-Moors, twenty hours of working light were available. Caroline on 5th July. A fortnight later she made up and dispatched her two carriages, Lloyd Rayner, son of a Liverpool merchant, Cross stations, desperate for tidings of a French chef looking to join his Admiral Ultimately, though, investigation of the added ‘It is terrible work watching him along with a plentiful supply of sheets, to arrived at Staplehurst Park late that friends and family. One man told reporters master at Devonport and the wife of a Staplehurst crash centred on two key gradually decay in strength & vitality, & we help ferry the wounded. The bruised and afternoon suffering from a broken leg and he had expected to meet his wife, on her way Bombay judge returning home after ten points: whether the danger flag had been have almost no hope of improvement; poor scratched were taken up to London by special severe lacerations to his scalp. Lloyd’s mother home from a trip to benefit her health. His years in India. The injured too formed a displayed prominently enough, and whether Mama is very patient & resigned.’ miscellaneous group. Among them were the the driver had heeded it. After a lengthy Over the next year a steady stream Vicar of Bedminster, a French naval officer inquiry manslaughter charges were brought of eminent doctors subjected Henry to and a chandelier manufacturer from Belsize against two men: Joseph Gallimore, the line numerous bleedings, blisterings and Park. inspector, and Henry Benge, the platelayers’ exploratory operations. The family even The following day Caroline revisited the foreman. Gallimore’s case was dismissed, but called in a homeopath, who recommended scene of the accident. ‘It was a horrible sight Benge, who admitted both to mistaking the the liberal application of Arnica lotion to & the only wonder was how any could live; time the tidal train was expected and to only his shaved head. The end, though, came the carriages were lying about in splinters sending the danger flag 554 yards down the unexpectedly. In April 1866 Henry spent two almost, having been knocked to pieces to get track instead of the requisite 1,000 yards, was nights in London, the first time he had passed the people out.’ Over the next fortnight or sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment. more than a day there since his accident. On so she, her mother and the family governess, His conviction, however, did little to quell the his return ‘He came right into the room so Mademoiselle Richard, were kept busy clamour for new safety measures. very happy & so proud of his new great coat. distributing strawberries, jellies and beef Although the tidal train’s operator, the We were all so pleased to see him so well & tea amongst the injured and offering what South Eastern Railway Co., emerged from quite felt that now our anxiety might be at comfort they could to their distraught the various inquiries with little blame, the an end; it does seem so wonderful!’ But next families. On 13th June Caroline arrived home accident still cost it dear. At a shareholders’ day, ‘Mama’s birthday, he did not get up, to find the Bishop of Edinburgh, a relative meeting in September 1865 the chairman Mama thought he had a bilious headache & of the Vicar of Bedminster, ensconced at announced that despite increased earnings that he might sleep it off.’ By 3pm, however, Staplehurst Park; ‘He & Papa very good the dividend would be cut from 4½% to Henry had slipped into unconsciousness. about not discussing Church questions [at 2½%. For large sums had to be laid aside to Celebrated surgeon Sir William Fergusson, meal times].’ Gradually, however, the invalids meet claims submitted by people affected rushed down from London by special train, began to depart and the Hoares’ carriages either by the Staplehurst accident or by an prescribed leeches, but ‘we knew it was too were put to good use once more escorting earlier one at Blackheath. Among those to late & at 8.30 our dearest Father drew his last them to the station. Caroline’s mother also benefit were Mrs Hampson, widow of the breath … It seemed incredible almost that made sure that a bouquet from her garden Bolton-le-Moors veterinary surgeon, who our long year of anxiety sh’d have been ended accompanied each departure. One of the last was awarded damages of £7,000, and the thus suddenly, but we know now it was most to leave, on 11th July, was Lloyd Rayner. ‘[We] chandelier manufacturer, Moss Defries, mercifully ordered, for … had it been more felt very sorry to lose him & he very loath to who received £3,500. Not that every claim gradual, the suffering w’d in all probability go, poor boy; he [gave] Mama a very pretty was upheld. In October 1865 George have been excessive.’ match holder worked by himself.’ Worth, alias Captain Middleton, appeared The fact that the Staplehurst crash before Southwark Crown Court accused occurred just two days after a similar incident of attempting to obtain £200 on behalf of at Rednal, Shopshire, had claimed the lives of a mythical brother whom he alleged had thirteen people – questions were being asked sustained serious injuries at Staplehurst. about Rednal in Parliament on the day of the Throughout this period, Henry Hoare’s Staplehurst crash – intensified public demand condition continued to give his family Scene of the fatal incident at Staplehurst, on the South-Eastern Railway. – From a sketch taken next day from the London Illustrated News, 9 June 1865 for improvements to rail safety. ‘If, indeed, a cause for concern. Caroline observed that The National Archives passenger cannot be sure of life or limb in a he tired easily, became unduly excited over

[ 80 ] [ 81 ] 33 Festival of the City of London events programme, 1962 materialise. Betjeman’s imagination had been fired by the idea when it was first put to him. Each July the sights and sounds of the City of London Festival permeate every corner of the Square Mile. But, he told Derick, ‘I could [not] with a clear The first Festival, held in 1962, was a smaller but no less ambitious affair. And one of its most enthusiastic conscience write something in honour of a City which was prepared to destroy one of its champions was bank Partner and Lord Mayor of London, Derick Hoare. finest buildings for financial gain & without letting the public see what it was intending to destroy.’6 The proposed demolition of the Victorian Coal Exchange, one of the earliest cast iron buildings in the country, to facilitate the widening of Lower Thames Street, Early in 1961, Ian Hunter, former Artistic fund had exceeded its target by £9,000. The Yeomen of the Guard was performed had been fiercely opposed by preservation Director of the prestigious Edinburgh Mindful that this was the first time the at the Tower of London. ‘There is no doubt societies and architectural historians. Once Festival, approached Alderman Derick City had attempted such a venture, and that The Yeomen of the Guard is perfect again, however, a compromise was found. Hoare with his vision for an arts festival conscious of the time constraints they faced, material for the City of London Festival,’ The Coal Exchange, organisers announced, within London’s Square Mile. A series of the Festival’s organisers decided against commented The Times, ‘presented as the would stage an exhibition of photographs high-quality recitals and chamber concerts an overly-ambitious programme. At the operetta is against the very walls of the and engravings from Betjeman’s latest would showcase the City’s stunning but same time they remained determined to Tower which is its setting … Mr Lawrence television series, Steam and Stained Glass. under-appreciated churches and livery halls; fulfil the principal idea behind the Festival, Leonard, as conductor, made effective use of For Derick, the City Festival was surrounding streets and popular landmarks that of mixing old and new. Six works were trumpeters on the battlements, and was able exhausting but ultimately rewarding. The offered a unique setting in which to host therefore commissioned from leading to call on St Peter’s bell for the tolling which endless Committee and Sub-Committee fringe events aimed at a broader audience. British composers. An anonymous donation the libretto assigns to it – a lucky theatrical meetings, to-ings and fro-ings, negotiations Derick was quick to see the advantages of £1,000 paid for scores by Edmund stroke.’2 Not that everyone was impressed, and compromises that went into its creation such a festival would bring to the City, but Rubbra, Richard Rodney Bennett, Arnold particularly as the weather refused to play gobbled up large chunks of his already others were less enamoured. The venues Cooke and Phyllis Tate. Alan Rawsthorne, fair. ‘The descent of the Tower officials from beleaguered diary. He also had to juggle would be too small to make the concerts meanwhile, accepted an invitation from the actual battlements on to the stage … attendance at events with his other mayoral financially viable, they argued, London too The Musicians’ Company to pen a trio for made a handsome spectacle of the pageant duties. On 15th July he watched King Hussein sated with events and overseas visitors to Yehudi Menuhin, Gaspar Cassado and kind,’ admitted the Daily Telegraph, although of Jordan lay a foundation stone for a boys’ make yet another addition to the cultural Louis Kentner, which premiered at the ‘Gilbert’s Colonel Fairfax observed cheerfully club at Camberwell before going on to hear landscape desirable, particularly in July, Grocers’ Hall on 12th July. Perhaps the most that “He might have had to die perchance Sir Ralph Richardson read extracts from the month Hunter suggested the festival eye-catching commission, however, was a in June”. But many of the audience at last John Donne’s sermons at St Paul’s Cathedral take place. Derick, however, persisted. song cycle composed by William Walton for night’s open air performance … were – reputedly the first time they had been heard July was ideal, he countered, because it renowned soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. gloomily forecasting their own deaths in July there since Donne’s day. ‘Richardson did the would bridge the gap between the end of At Derick’s suggestion, this was paid for by – of pneumonia.’3 readings magnificently but was trembling all the Southbank ballet season and the start the Goldsmiths’ Company. ‘It occurred to me As promised, the Festival included a over,’ noted Derick. ‘They say he has to take of the Proms. Moreover, the festival would that if the Goldsmiths’ Company were willing wide range of fringe events, some aimed a good deal of Dutch courage to keep up.’7 serve as a reminder of the City’s rich history to make some form of donation towards the specifically at City workers, others at a more Three days later his schedule was busier still. in arts patronage, one that stretched back Festival of the City of London this would be a general audience. Over 14,000 people ‘The Mayor of Dar es Salaam called to see me. hundreds of years. Finally, the festival offered particularly attractive way of doing so, rather seized a rare opportunity to step on to the Standard, and a fair on Lime Street. This helpless. A Lord Mayor can’t start breaking Then Mary and I went to St Swithin’s Lane … an opportunity to garner support for the than merely making a direct grant to the Stock Exchange trading floor; 50,000 last, a nod to the medieval fairs of Olde his own laws.’ After some frantic negotiation for the Festival. We watched Spanish dancing proposed Barbican concert hall and theatre funds.’1 A Song for the Lord Mayor’s Table visited the Writing Room at Lloyd’s to London, featured a sheaf-pitching contest, roasting finally got underway over a coke- & drank sherry. In the afternoon Mary & I complex. blended poetry by the likes of Wordsworth view an exhibition of underwriters’ slips, an itinerant magician, dancing to Humphrey fired barbecue at the stroke of midnight & Sheriffs & wives went down to Ashtead By the time Derick became Lord Mayor and Blake with traditional rhymes such as Nelson relics and the Casualty Book, open Lyttelton’s Band and myriad stalls and on 20th July. Late the following afternoon for the Freemen’s School prize giving … On in November 1961 the cynics had been won “Oranges and Lemons” to evoke the sights at the entry for the Titanic, before making sideshows. ‘Those who were “something in the first slices were served up to Derick and our return I went to a cocktail party … for over. Soon afterwards it was announced that and sounds of London through the ages. One their way up to the gallery to watch the the City” seemed to like the change,’ noted Lucette Aldous, Prima Ballerina at the Ballet the opening of the new [Legal & General] the first Festival would take place between of the Festival’s highlights, it was performed market in action. Not to be outdone, Beaver the Guardian. ‘Bowlers were tilted at rakish Rambert, to the delight of the assembled building … Afterwards Mary & I went to 9th and 21st July 1962. Ian Hunter was at Goldsmiths’ Hall on 18th July by Elisabeth House on Great Trinity Lane, home of the angles as pennies were rolled, hoops pitched, press. Goldsmiths’ Hall for a recital by the famous appointed Artistic Director, while Derick Schwarzkopf and Gerald Moore. Hudson’s Bay Company, displayed ‘furs of and darts hurled, to impress the office girls. The Festival of the City of London Elizabeth Schwarzkopff [sic].’ But by the agreed to serve as president of the City Alongside these new works sat some all kinds,’ while the Guildhall Mechanisation That mark of respectability, the umbrella, officially opened on 9th July with a service Festival’s end Derick felt able to regard the Arts Trust Limited, a non-profit making old favourites. Arthur Rubinstein played Department demonstrated its new automatic after an early shower became the anchor for at St Paul’s Cathedral, followed by a Masque venture as a success. Nor had he any doubts company designed to promote the Festival Schumann, Chopin and Debussy. Julian data processing system ‘in which records for floating balloons.’5 staged at the Mansion House and attended as to its merit. For as he wrote in his foreword and ensure it was put on a solid financial Bream’s programme included Byrd and the various finance departments are kept on Ironically, one of the most popular fringe by the Queen. Devised by John Betjeman, the to the official Festival programme, ‘Amidst footing. Finance of course would be crucial Dowland, while Jacqueline du Pré joined punched cards, thus greatly speeding up data events almost failed to happen at all. The Masque – an hour-long canter through the a period of the worship of Mammon, this to the Festival’s success. The Corporation forces with the Guildhall School of Music retrieval and other operations.’4 Additional Festival’s organisers had dreamed of spit- City’s history – featured the vocal talents of Festival is trying to show many things that are of London made the first move, promising to perform Boccherini’s Cello Concerto attractions included a fashion show for roasting a half-ton ox at Old Change and actor John Gielgud, singer Tommy Steele and beautiful and inspired in the arts – music by £7,500 on condition that a further £6,500 in B. Flat. There was also a series of staged 400 female City workers, courtesy of Peter offering 1,000 slices to the public at 2s 6d veteran music hall performer Billy Danvers, the masters, played by the masters, the song, be raised elsewhere. Donations from the events. Benjamin Britten’s re-interpretation Robinson’s department store; lunchtime per portion. But their plans were thrown who persuaded the predominantly mink the play, the opera, verse, tragedy and comedy Arts Council, the Bank of England, Lloyd’s of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas filled the talks and organ recitals; an exhilarating into disarray when it was pointed out that and diamond clad audience to join him in a – in the setting of this our most historic of London, the Stock Exchange and various Guildhall. A thirteenth century miracle play, Tideway Race from Putney to Tower Bridge the City had been a smokeless zone since rousing chorus of an old Cockney favourite, capital, and perhaps by doing so release man City banks soon followed. Indeed, so many The Raising of Lazarus, was recreated at St and back, which saw nearly 300 dinghies the mid 1950s. Appeals to Derick proved “Rhubarb and Custard”. Like the ox roast, for a while and remind him that there are donations poured in that by May 1962 the Paul’s Cathedral and Gilbert & Sullivan’s compete for a trophy supplied by the Evening fruitless. ‘I’m sympathetic of course, but though, the Masque too nearly failed to other things than those entirely material.’

[ 82 ] [ 83 ] 34 ‘Bradbury’ note, 1914 On the eve of World War One Britain’s economy was in crisis. Loans were being called in and Bills refused. Interest rates had soared, the Stock Exchange had plummeted and the Bank of England’s bullion yard hummed from dawn till dusk as customers set about exchanging notes for gold. Drastic measures were required. And taken.

‘Early comers to the City [31st July 1914] were were only too eager to get their hands on barking ‘Germany is always ready.’3 confronted … with a preliminary illustration Bradbury notes, regarding them as souvenirs Beyond this episode the outbreak of war of the conditions likely to prevail on the of the historic crisis. was greeted at Hoare’s with little outward outbreak of a European war … “The Stock Within days of the banks reopening a alteration. Senior Partner Alfred Hoare later Exchange is closed” was on everybody’s lips. barrage of circulars, proclamations and recalled that the bank had escaped the pre-war The paper boys shouted it all over town, while memoranda began pouring into 37 Fleet flight to gold. ‘Only two of our customers the busy stream of traffic wended its way Street: on trading with the enemy, foreign made any unusual demand upon us and we through Old Broad Street in happy disregard exchange, ‘Bradburys’, Postal Orders as received many [communications] from our of the intentions of those who control legal tender, the bank accounts of ‘Alien customers with offers to help should we the destinies of Continental army corps, Enemies’. A circular issued on 17th August, require it.’4 Probably the only discernible the congestion being rendered more than for example, offered guidelines on Bills of change encountered by customers when the usually acute by the advance brigade of Bank Exchange. While in theory original Bills bank reopened on 7th August would have Holiday-makers, with their luggage, golf could, with the exception of those bound for been the official notice on the Cashiers’ desk. clubs, etc, piled on taxis.’1 Stock Exchange Germany, Austria or Hungary, be dispatched ‘Notwithstanding the moratorium declared worthies found themselves reduced to as usual, in reality a more piecemeal approach by the Government the banks are willing to playing dominoes in a nearby Lyons’ Corner was necessary. The circular therefore advised make small payments to customers until the House, while countless jobbers, commission- that originals should still be sent to certain Government has provided more currency. aires and office boys milled about the City countries, including the USA and Canada, Customers are requested to show every streets. but that notarially certified copies be kept consideration under these circumstances.’ The closure of the Stock Exchange was for others, such as Egypt. Bills destined for Those who were overdrawn also received followed by that of the banks. On Monday France should be retained, not because of any an additional notice, couched in the bank’s 3rd August the Chancellor of the Exchequer, disruption to the postal service, but because customary understated style. ‘In view of the Lloyd George, announced that that day’s there was a shortage of French banking present state of affairs, we think it well to Bank Holiday would be extended for an staff to deal with them. As for Russia, ‘It is advise you that we are not prepared to increase additional three days. This bought the absolutely impossible to forward Bills to your present overdraft.’ This, commented immediate. Arthur Hervey Hoare departed work out at less than his pension would come give as much employment etc as possible, government valuable time in which to shore Russia for payment, consequently all Bills Alfred, had a surprising result. ‘A curious for military service at once, closely followed to were he to retire – he wants to know if we but how is this to be done if suddenly one up Britain’s beleaguered economy. By the should be retained here.’2 effect of the war was that accounts that had by Harry Hoare. With Algernon Strickland will guarantee him a minimum if he stops on. has not the means or wherewithal to do time the banks reopened on Friday 7th, a Such hurried and sweeping changes been overdrawn for years, in most instances, seriously ill for most of 1914–15 and Peter That opens up a big question as to whether it it?’ 7 Dismissing the servants and letting month long moratorium had been imposed, inevitably caused widespread confusion. righted themselves in a very short time.’ Hoare living in virtual retirement at would be better to get rid of the business now Luscombe would allow him to live more the Treasury had agreed to guarantee Treasury officials were forced to intervene Behind the scenes, however, significant Luscombe Castle, Devon, much of the day or not.’6 Jesse Nye, a clerk at Hoare’s since frugally, he conceded, but ‘it would be the Bank of England against losses on after it emerged that some banks were change was afoot. Not least among the to day running of the bank fell on Alfred 1863, had been acting as the bank’s broker absolutely certain to cause a great deal discounted Bills and a law had been passed using a circular on the Banking Accounts many practical issues to be addressed was Hoare and, in particular, the most junior since 1881. Now in his mid seventies, he was of gossip … which in these times, would aimed at easing the pressure on Britain’s of Alien Enemies and the moratorium the security of the bank’s premises. Large Partner, Edward Henry Hoare. Given that feeling the full effect of a wartime economy. probably grow into entirely unfounded & coinage. This last measure effectively took to freeze the accounts of customers who numbers of sandbags were propped up against the Partners were scattered so widely instead After much discussion the Hoares decided in foolish rumours with regard to the position Britain off the gold standard because it had been naturalised many years back or the strong room to guard it against Zeppelin of inhabiting the Partners’ Room at Fleet September 1915 to close their broker’s City of the Bank.’ allowed the Treasury to issue two new notes, were unfortunate enough to have German attacks. But the Partners were divided as to Street, and that major decisions had to be office and transfer all future Stock Exchange Sweeping changes were engulfing the equivalent in value to the sovereign and half sounding names. While there is no evidence whether this was sufficient. In early 1916, made at short notice in an increasingly fluid business to J. Capel & Co. bank’s staff too. Throughout Hoare’s 240 sovereign. The first £1 notes, issued on 7th to suggest this happened at Hoare’s, the therefore, they approached the Bank of environment, tension was unavoidable. As The outbreak of war also affected the years turnover amongst the clerks had been August, were simply designed and printed corrosive mix of suspicion and uncertainty England for advice. Should they adopt more Harry replied to Peter in April 1915 when Partners financially. The recent economic minimal: those appointed tended to stay for on wafer-thin postage stamp paper, although that engulfed Britain during those first radical measures? The reply offered little the latter complained at not being consulted crisis, coupled with the uncertain outlook, decades. But within the first month of the war subsequent issues used sturdier paper and weeks of the war was epitomised by one comfort. ‘I don’t believe anything is absolutely enough, ‘I am sorry, but I don’t expect you resulted in most of the bank’s profits for seven of the bank’s thirty-three clerks had sported colour images of St George and the of the bank’s elderly clerks, who came to secure against high explosive bombs,’ wrote quite appreciate the times we are living 1914 being set aside in case they should be enlisted. Five others would depart during the Dragon. Both they and the 10s notes, which regard a regular customer, previously ‘a most the Deputy Governor. He suggested the in with the Partners all over the shop, or I required by the business. For Peter Hoare, an following year, along with one of the bank’s entered circulation a week later, became attractive & friendly fellow,’ as ‘a Germany Hoares concentrate on ensuring everything should say nearly all away from the shop! unsalaried Partner, this came as a particular three porters, while the introduction of known as ‘Bradburys’, after the Permanent Arch-Spy,’ apparently on the grounds that the of value was stored in metal safes. As an Points have to be decided more or less as they blow. His share of the profits in 1914 was conscription in 1916 gobbled up many more. Under-Secretary to the Treasury, Sir John man had a German name, had once holidayed extra precaution they could consult Colonel come along, involving in many cases new £1,346, £4,000 less than the previous year. The Hoares promised all those who left that Bradbury, whose facsimile signature graced at Whitby – ‘one of the places shelled by the Fox of the London Salvage Corps, although departures from old customs.’ Yet his obligations had not diminished. ‘We any shortfall in salary would be met by the each one. And fears the public would reject German fleet during the War’ – and had ‘[he] has not so far suggested anything very The next point to be decided amply are told that those who are too old or for bank and that their jobs would be kept open them proved groundless. Bank managers up responded to the clerk’s remark that there revolutionary … and is dreadfully busy.’5 illustrated this quandary. ‘Old Nye … is much various reasons cannot join the army, are to for them. But replacements had to be found and down the country reported customers could be no war as Germany was not ready by For the Partners, the war’s impact was distressed,’ wrote Harry, ‘because his profits carry on as usual, not discharge people but in the meantime. At first, older men or those

[ 84 ] [ 85 ] 35 Proclamation by Field Marshal Wade, 1745 In the early nineteenth century physician’s wife Mrs Pelham Warren deposited a box of papers at Hoare’s Bank for safekeeping. Now part of the bank’s archive, they highlight a turbulent episode in Britain’s history: the Jacobite Uprising of 1745.

rejected for military service were engaged. income tax had quadrupled. Supertax rates Department, particularly after the launch of The seeds of the ‘45 were sown over half a the Ennemy which they instantly laid hold if those Insurgents who have risen in the But by January 1915 the bank was left with no also increased, as did the rate and number the third War Loan, which attracted much century earlier, in 1688, when the Catholic of, of surrounding our Foot, who were then North should venture to pay us a Visit, they option but to recruit Lady Clerks. Between of indirect taxes covering everything from greater support than its predecessors. In an James II was ousted by his Protestant attacked in front Flank and rear, surprized & may expect a Warm Reception.’3 Fears the 1915 and 1918 women made up thirty-nine beer and tobacco to hats and cinema tickets. effort to meet the demands placed on the daughter Mary and her husband, William dispirited by the flight of our Cavalry.’1 town would be invaded immediately after of the fifty-three temporary staff employed Administering these taxes ate into the clerks’ bank by the third War Loan the Hoares hired of Orange. A period of unrest, punctuated Minutes later the battle was over. Prestonpans subsided when the Pretender by Hoare’s. They were paid the same as their working day and ultimately signalled the end an extra broker and doubled the Brokers’ by several actual or threatened uprisings, Hundreds of the King’s soldiers lay dead or returned to Edinburgh. But the swirling eddy male counterparts, but barred from jobs of another long-standing Hoare’s tradition. Department office space. Even this was not followed, fuelled in part by disgruntled wounded and 1,500 more had been taken of rumour and counter-rumour, information that brought them into direct contact with On 5th April 1916 the Partners’ memoranda enough though. According to Alfred Hoare, supporters of James II, but also by resent- prisoner, leaving a tattered remnant to limp and mis-information, positive news and customers, such as Cashiers. book recorded that ‘Owing to the difficulty of the Loan ‘involved a great deal of extra ment at William’s fiscal policies, the Union fifty miles south towards government held contradiction did nothing to disperse the This regular turnover of staff – some calculating Income Tax, caused by our Bank work in which we were assisted by our wives of 1707 and the Hanoverian succession of Berwick upon Tweed. general air of unease. The Rebels were 4,500 temporary recruits lasted weeks, even days year not corresponding to the Government & daughters. In consequence of the extra 1714. After the most serious uprising, in 1715, News of these Jacobite successes sent strong, 8,000 strong or 10,000 strong, – inevitably led to a loss of knowledge about Financial year, we agreed to make up our pressure put on our Stock Department we gave the government introduced a number of mea- shockwaves pulsing across Britain. The depending on whom one listened to. And the bank’s customers: their habits, likes and accounts in future on this date.’9 special gratuities to three of our Clerks.’10 sures aimed at thwarting any future revolt. A government hurriedly ordered large numbers panic surged through Newcastle on 30th dislikes, even (critically) their signatures. Another key weapon was borrowing. By the time the war ended in November new regiment, the Black Watch, was raised of additional troops north under the September when news reached it of Berwick’s At the same time, however, customers were Various international loans were agreed, but 1918, Britain was exhausted. The National to help keep the peace. The castles at Stirling command of Field Marshal George Wade, as fall. Only after several fretful hours did the relying on the bank more than ever. ‘As you three domestic ones were also introduced. Debt stood at 136% of GDP and the cost of and Edinburgh were strengthened and some well as a squadron of armed ships to patrol truth emerge – a party of Jacobite troops had may have seen by the papers,’ wrote one in The first War Loan, offering 3½% interest living was spiralling. Recognising this, the 250 miles of road, along with over thirty the Scottish coast. Local communities too been spotted foraging at North Berwick, a December 1915, ‘we were torpedoed in the and repayable in 1925–28, was launched Hoares announced a one-off payment of £50 to bridges, were built across the Highlands. set about bolstering their defences. Exeter’s coastal settlement near Edinburgh. Berwick Mediterranean, 80 miles off Port Said. I have in November 1914. It was followed by a each male clerk, £12–10–0 for every dependent These projects were expensive but necessary. militia mustered and drilled, the tradesmen upon Tweed remained on high alert, lost everything including my Letter of Credit second (4½%) in June 1915 and a third under eighteen and £20 to any Lady Clerk For by 1745 the spectre of rebellion loomed of Westminster clamoured for permission however, particularly after the Pretender from you & letter of Identity. Will you kindly (5%) in January 1917. But despite a series of who had completed one year’s service. The large once more. to take up arms and the Duke of Bedford publicly denounced it as ‘The Rebellious send me another Letter of Credit as soon as colourful, patriotism-laden posters, heavy end of the war, however, signalled the end of In July 1745 Charles Edward Stuart ordered six wagon loads of muskets to be Town’ and vowed to take it within the week. possible … We spent 11 hours on the open sea promotion in the press – ‘If you cannot fight, the Lady Clerks. In 1919, with demobilisation (Bonnie Prince Charlie), grandson of the delivered to Woburn. Most vulnerable, Most of the Pelham Warren papers relate in life boats … a terrifying experience; if it is you can help your country by investing all in full swing, the Partners began issuing deposed James II, arrived in Scotland to however, were those towns and cities within to the military commander in charge of possible for you to communicate with the Pay you can in 5% Exchequer Bonds … Unlike them with six month notice periods, ‘ample claim the thrones of Britain for his father. striking distance of Edinburgh: York, Berwick’s garrison, Lieutenant General Master General at the War Office … ask him the soldier, the investor runs no risk,’ – and time to find another situation.’11 This retreat Within two months this Young Pretender Hull, Berwick upon Tweed, Newcastle and Roger Handasyd. Dating from mid October to forward me fresh application forms for my promises of payment by instalment, the though was temporary. Female clerks had had amassed an army, taken possession of Carlisle. The muskets had barely ceased 1745 to mid January 1746, they consist partly pension … [PS] Kindly send a cheque book public were slow to subscribe, obliging become a familiar sight at Hoare’s by the Edinburgh and routed the government forces firing at Prestonpans before the citizens of instructions from Whitehall officials as that is gone also. Address to me c/o Thos banks to make up the shortfall. Hoare’s 1930s. Nor were they the war’s only legacy. at the Battle of Prestonpans. According to of Hull began repairing the town’s sluices, or Field Marshal Wade, which highlight Cook & Sons, Hong Kong, China.’8 Another duly invested in all three War Loans, bought Chancellor Neville Chamberlain’s decision in an eyewitness account of the latter preserved digging ditches and mounting cannon in and the logistical challenges posed by the task customer, writing six months later, put his subscriptions on behalf of customers and 1932 to convert the 1917 War Loan, originally amongst the Pelham Warren papers, an around the Citadel. Newcastle’s inhabitants, of moving and quartering large numbers plight more succinctly. ‘My cheque book converted existing subscriptions from one repayable by 1947, into perpetual bonds paying initial Jacobite attack was repelled, which meanwhile, were ordered to surrender any of troops. On 28th October, for example, having been destroyed in the recent action Loan to the next. Such activity, however, 3½% means that nearly £2bn of War Bonds ‘chequed the Highlanders for near a minute. ladders, firearms, pick axes and shovels. Lord Albemarle informed Handasyd that in the North Sea please send me another placed an enormous strain on its Brokers’ remain in circulation to this day. But as our whole three ranks had unhappily ‘We are in very great Confusion,’ wrote one, Wade ‘approved of your orders to the Forces containing 96 order cheques.’ given their fire & were therefore obliged ‘Numbers of People at Work on our Walls, for [just arrived] … & desires you’ll continue Appeals like these, together with new to fall back to load the Ennemy at that very the Protection of such that stay in the Town: to subsist them in ye best Manner you regulations and the relative inexperience of instant rush’d in sword in hand upon our Carts and Carriages crowding the streets, can. You’ll be so good as to acquaint ye its clerks, significantly increased the bank’s Front, while part of them ran as swiftly as to carry off the Effects of those who think it Commanding officers that I have ordered workload. The working day grew longer possible towards the Flank of our Artillery safer to remove. Our Gates are most of them camp Necessarys for them, as also three while the annual leave allowance shrank from … men that were posted there under Capt walled up, and some Cannon planted.’2 Tents per Company … till new ones for ye four weeks to three. But the greatest burden Ba[zil] Cochran gave them their Fire, which Nowhere, perhaps, was this vulnerability whole comes from London. We have two rose out of the government’s relentless did a good deal of Execution, but which by more acutely felt than at Berwick upon ships arrived at Shields under a proper quest for cash. At a meeting of City bankers reason of the Flashing, as it was yet scarcely Tweed. A small, border garrison town convoy load’d with Cheese & Biscuit who are in July 1915, attended by Alfred Hoare, the daylight, put the Dragoons into Confusion midway between Edinburgh and Newcastle, ordered to proceed to Berwick.’4 Three weeks Chancellor of the Exchequer put the cost of who wheeled about & Gallop’d off … [This] I it represented enormous strategic value for later the promised cheese and biscuits had Britain’s war effort at £3m a day. One obvious am willing to believe was more the fault of the both sides: a stepping stone into England not materialised – supplies sent by sea were money-spinner was taxation. As soon as horses … it was probably the Flashing that for one, a means of funnelling troops at the mercy of the winds – but Handasyd’s the war began, therefore, the income tax Came in their Eyes that threw them into such and supplies north for the other. By mid deputy was able to report that ‘some days rate doubled to 12%. By 1918 it had reached disorder; by their Flight however our Flanks September Berwick’s garrison had ‘been ago [I] was acquainted with a Ship that put 30%, while the number of people liable for were left open; and an opportunity given to put in the best Posture of Defence … so that into Holly [Holy] Island bound to this place

[ 86 ] [ 87 ] from London loaded with Biscuit & Cheese; was less fortunate. Intercepted near Winter Season, towards the Suppression of [and] with another loaded with Flower from Musselburgh, he was detained for eighteen the present unnatural Rebellion.’7 Heading Newcastle of which I acquainted Marshal hours by a Jacobite mob, ‘who stript him ript the subscription with a donation of £100 Wade.’ up many Places of his Cloaths, robb’d him of was Richard himself. Another £100 came In addition to foodstuffs, Wade urged Six Shillings and a Case of Razours, his sadle courtesy of Hoare’s Bank, while within Handasyd to squirrel away as much straw & Bridle before setting him free.’ The man’s days donations had poured in from all as he could lay his hands on, warning ‘there information was worth the wait though, for quarters: the Bank of England (£1,000); the will be occasion for a considerable quantity he was able to confirm claims by Douglass’s Theatre Royal, Covent Garden (£602–7–0); of Straw for the Soldiers Tents, for without sister that the Jacobites were on the move. the Fishmongers’ Company (£300); ‘A it they cannot lye in the Field, whatever the ‘[W]hen he came away the Gross of their Gentleman who desires to be concealed’ necessity may be, that should require it.’ But Army was actually out of Town, & in Token of (£20); ‘A Club at the King’s Head Tavern, it was not merely his men’s needs Wade had their farther march he had seen many of them Poultry’ (£12–1–6); inhabitants of Lower in mind. For eighteenth century armies relied giveing farewell to the Landladies, & some Shuckburgh, Warwickshire (14s 6d). on horses. Cavalry horses, naturally, but of them paying what they owed them.’ Less The Guildhall subscription, along with also workhorses to transport heavy artillery clear was their destination. Did the Pretender a similar one opened at the Crown Tavern, and supplies. As Wade pointed out on 2nd intend to push into England? If so, where? raised over £22,000. Once a considerable November, ‘I am very glad You are busy in Newcastle? Or Carlisle? amount was assured, Richard wrote to Wade providing Hay and Oats for the Cavalry, and Days later Handasyd’s spies confirmed and to the overall Commander in Chief, the think we cannot have too much, since the what Wade already suspected: the Pretender’s Duke of Cumberland, seeking advice on how want of it might prove not only inconvenient, troops had struck out for Carlisle via to apply these funds. Both men requested but fatal to our designs, if when we move Moffat and Dumfries. Wade marched out shoes, breeches and woollen clothing, Wade towards the Rebels, and then it will require of Newcastle, hoping to intercept them. lamenting that many of his troops were a great number of Horses to be ready for the But he got no further than Hexham before reduced to donning breeches ‘so much worn Carriage of it.’ learning of Carlisle’s surrender. Worse still, out that they will not cover their nakedness.’ Handasyd’s other key task was the it appeared the Jacobites did not intend to Additionally, Wade suggested that ‘if some gathering of information. ‘It is His Majesty’s stop there, but to continue southwards. small matter was allowed for the better Pleasure,’ the Duke of Newcastle reminded A despairing Wade advised Handasyd, ‘tho support of the Sick, who are very numerous, him on 26th October, ‘that you should the weather is excessively bad, and the great it would be a great help to them for their continue to procure the best accounts you quantity of Snow that hath fallen within these recovery.’8 Armed with this information, can, of the Motions of the Rebels, and three days hath rendered the Roads almost Richard and the Committee set up to manage transmit Them to Me, and to Mr Wade, unpassable, we must return to Newcastle the subscription wasted no time in placing with the utmost Expedition.’ To that end, and follow them, without any probability of orders for 1,000 Witney blankets, 12,000 Handasyd established a network of spies overtaking them.’6 pairs of gloves, 10,000 caps, 15,000 pairs – merchants, clergymen, excise men and By the time the Pretender reached Derby of breeches, 12,000 shirts, 16,500 pairs of farmers – who furnished him with reports in early December, London was bracing stockings and 9,100 pairs of spatterdashes. on the Pretender’s doings – ‘Sent a Trusty itself for an attack. Heading the City’s A beady eye though was kept on both quality Messenger for Edinb’r … who says, about preparations was the new Lord Mayor, bank and cost. Each shirt had to contain two ells Noon that day [22 Oct] the Rebells army was Partner Richard Hoare. Richard’s election at of cloth, be robustly made and adhere to the review’d by the Pretender in Leith Links’ such a moment might have been awkward. pattern prescribed by the Committee, yet not – estimates of the Jacobites’ strength – ‘he The Hoares had long been suspected of exceed 3s 6d. numbr’d them with great Care & is very harbouring Jacobite sympathies. In 1708 As events transpired the Jacobites Sure they fall short of 8,500’ – and their the bank’s founder, Richard’s grandfather ventured no farther south than Derby. By supplies – ‘another ship is arriv’d at Stonehive and namesake, was accused of promoting Christmas Day 1745 they were marching [Stonehaven] for them with small arms & a a run on the Bank of England in the wake into Glasgow, where they were greeted with few Field Pieces.’5 of a failed Jacobite invasion, a claim he a distinct lack of goodwill towards men. Unsurprisingly, such activities were hotly denied. Richard’s brother Henry The end came four months later, at a bloody fraught with danger. Merchants George (Magnificent) had been educated by a battle on Culloden Moor near Inverness. Douglass and Christopher Pattison, schoolmaster rumoured to have visited Neither Wade nor Handasyd witnessed this who left Berwick for Haddington in late the Pretender in France. Even Richard’s denouement though. Wade was replaced October, judged it prudent to stop short of choice of pet, a King Charles spaniel, was at the end of 1745, while Handasyd, who their destination. ‘Being thus surrounded viewed with suspicion in some quarters. had been struggling with ill health for some by the Rebells and from their reported Brushing these rumours aside, however, time, asked to be relieved of his command declarations … to hang the first Berwick Richard set about co-ordinating the City’s in January 1746. As for Richard Hoare, the man they mett with, we appointed persons defences: raising six volunteer regiments, defences he put in place around the City of to look out at least we sho’d be taken in our organising alarm posts and presiding over London were never put to the test. But it was lodgings.’ Instead, Douglass dispatched a subscription opened at the Guildhall ‘For recorded later that he had acted ‘with great a messenger to fetch his sister, a regular the Relief, Support, and Encouragement of Credit to himself, and to the Satisfaction of source of information, to update them on such Soldiers as are now or shall hereafter be all the Friends of Liberty and the Protestant the Pretender’s activities. Another informant employed in his Majesty’s Service during this Religion.’9

[ 89 ] 36 Mitcham, Morden & Merton Savings’ Bank customer account, 1819 ‘It were to be wished that persons of weight and influence in their respective neighbourhoods would endeavour to establish those Savings’ Banks, which, independent of many other collateral advantages, have an immediate tendency to promote the health, the morals, the independence, and the happiness of the lower classes of the community.’ (Morning Post, 31 December 1817)

The first Savings’ Bank is generally rec- Act being passed, while by 1830 the total as a conviction of the Benefits it holds out to ognised to have been established by Rev stood at nearly 500.1 For depositors Savings’ them.’2 Not that things always ran smoothly. Henry Duncan at Ruthwell, Dumfries, in Banks were an attractive option, offering Early in 1828 treasurer George Hoare 1810. Duncan’s goal was simple: to spare anyone – whether man, woman or child – the reported ‘a trifling error in the Balance of his impoverished parishioners the indignity opportunity to accumulate a substantial the Accounts.’ Despite exhaustive searches of applying for poor relief by offering them interest-earning sum. In contrast to Friendly by George, the bank’s internal auditors and a straightforward way of saving a modest Societies, which compelled members to an outside accountant engaged at George’s sum. Where Duncan led others followed make regular payments of fixed amounts expense, the cause of this error was never and within a few years upwards of seventy or risk losing the entire sum and only determined. Eventually it was concluded Savings’ Banks had opened in England allowed access to some part of the total if the that a miscalculation must have been made alone. Nearly all were run by small groups of member fell into distress, Savings’ Banks some time previously. During a Special voluntary Trustees, usually clergymen and offered both flexibility – deposits could be Meeting the Trustees were careful to record other prominent local citizens, in tandem as little as a shilling and made as frequently their thanks not only to George but also to with larger groups of Managers drawn from or infrequently as the saver chose – and a William John Chart, who had been appointed the ranks of the more able depositors. Once guarantee that the saver could redeem his secretary/actuary two years earlier. Chart sufficient funds had been received, the entire fund in its entirety. Promoters too found was commended for ‘the Zeal & accuracy he sum would be placed with a commercial bank Savings’ Banks appealing, convinced they has thus shewn in fulfilling the Duties of this and the resulting interest divided amongst encouraged the diligent poor – servants, Office’ and awarded £5 ‘as a recompense for the depositors’ accounts. labourers, journeymen and factory workers the additional trouble which has devolved Given the organic way in which – to plan for their futures instead of relying upon him in consequence of an error in Savings’ Banks developed, they were on charity or poor relief to sustain them the account of the present year.’3 Soon completely unregulated at first. But in 1817 during periods of unemployment or sickness. afterwards a Reserve Fund was established to Parliament passed an Act to Encourage the Equally important, savers would be setting an cover any future deficit. Establishment of Banks for Savings, thus example to their neighbours, their peers and Upset over, Mitcham Savings’ Bank providing a legal framework within which their children. resumed its former unremarkable course. Savings’ Banks were obliged to operate. Among the hundreds of Savings’ Banks Chart continued as secretary/actuary, while First and foremost, the Act confirmed that formed in the wake of the 1817 Act was George Hoare, who had assumed the role Savings’ Banks were ‘for the custody and the Mitcham, Morden & Merton Savings’ of president in addition to treasurer after increase of small savings belonging to the Bank, established in May 1819. From the his father’s death in 1828, kept an overall industrious classes.’ Deposits were limited outset this enterprise had the unswerving watch on the institution and submitted to £100 per person in the first year and £50 support of bank Partner Henry Hoare of twice-yearly reports to his fellow Trustees. (later reduced to £30) in each subsequent Mitcham Grove and his son, brewer George By the mid 1840s he was able to announce year. Once a bank’s deposits exceeded £50 the Matthew Hoare, who lived at nearby Morden that the number of depositors stood at 284, Trustees had to make the full amount over Lodge. Henry was appointed the bank’s of which all but twelve had less than £20 in to the Commissioners for the Reduction of first president, while George took on the their accounts. To his fellow Trustees these the National Debt. In return they received role of treasurer. They were joined by seven statistics were cause for celebration; they a debenture paying £4–11–3 p.a., enabling additional Trustees, twenty-seven Managers showed the bank had succeeded in reaching them to offer depositors an interest rate of and a salaried secretary/actuary. Based in its intended market – the industrious poor. about 4%. To prevent fraud, Trustees and the local infants’ school, the bank opened And while £20 might be dismissed as a Managers were barred from taking any salary for business between noon and 1pm each paltry sum by some, to others it signified the or profit and each Savings’ Bank was required Monday, during which time the secretary/ difference between survival and destitution. to lodge copies of its Rules and Regulations actuary and at least two Managers were As Samuel Smiles later observed, even half with the Quarter Sessions. expected to be in attendance. such a sum had the power to transform The Act sparked a surge of renewed Support for the Mitcham Savings’ lives. ‘With ten pounds a workman might interest in Savings’ Banks across the country. Bank was wholehearted. Nearly £740 was remove from one district to another where John Tidd Pratt, who as consulting barrister deposited in the first five months and by 1824 employment is more abundant. With ten to the National Debt Commissioners was deposits had reached £10,000. The bank’s pounds, he might emigrate to Canada or the responsible for certifying the rules of Savings’ popularity was welcomed by its Trustees; United States, where his labour might be in Banks, calculated that 200 were established ‘it shews that there is a growing confidence request. Without this little store of savings, in England and Wales within a year of the amongst the Poor in the Institution as well he might be rooted to his native spot, like a

[ 90 ] 37 Richard Hoare’s ‘New Masheen Charet’, 1732 limpet to the rock. If a married man with a Savings’ Bank expert Tidd Pratt revealed the they have done all in their power to remedy Horse drawn carriages are a rare sight these days, confined mostly to ceremonial events, family, his ten pounds would save his home full extent of the losses to be £6,557. Chart’s the mischief that has occurred, nothing weddings and the occasional funeral. But back in 1732 London’s streets would have teemed with from wreckage, and his household from method, he concluded, was a classic case of further need be said upon the subject.’6 destitution … Ten pounds would keep many false accounting. Clearly the rule of having The Mitcham Savings’ Bank, though, did carriages, all jostling for space alongside countless carts, waggons, drays and hackneys. a servant-girl from ruin, give her time to at least two Managers in attendance during not survive very long after the scandal. recruit her health, perhaps wasted by hard business hours had been abandoned long And by the latter part of the nineteenth work, and enable her to look about for a since, and ‘As the greatest confidence was century the entire Savings’ Bank movement suitable place, instead of rushing into the first placed in the deceased, and his accounts in was in decline. Tales of fraud and loss that offered.’4 All in all, the future of both the the ledgers were always made to tally with naturally eroded customer confidence. But bank and the community it served seemed the different fictitious entries, no suspicion other factors played their part. Increased When Hoare’s Bank opened in 1672, owning bright. whatever was excited.’5 regulation made it more burdensome for a carriage was beyond the means of all but This optimism was short-lived. On 18th As soon as Tidd Pratt’s inquiry had been anyone to run a bank, not least unqualified the wealthiest of Londoners. Instead, people April 1845 William John Chart – auctioneer, concluded the Trustees set about trying volunteers with their own concerns to attend relied on ferry boats, sedan chairs and estate agent, actuary of the Mitcham Savings’ to rectify the situation. At an emergency to, while the establishment of the Post Office hackney coaches to get about. Samuel Pepys’s Bank, parish clerk, veritable pillar of the meeting held on 2nd June it was agreed Savings’ Bank (1861) offered savers longer diaries show him commuting to work via community – failed to appear for breakfast. that the entire deficit would be met by opening hours, a wider range of services and river boat and ‘taking coach’ to attend church, Glancing into the room he used as an office the Trustees and Managers. An account the reassurance of knowing that their money keep business appointments or meet up with his wife discovered a note addressed to opened at Hoare’s Bank to administer was secured by the government. friends. By 1667, however, Pepys was looking herself. Its contents were brief but chilling. these payments, however, reveals that the For Mitcham’s depositors the outcome to purchase his own equipage, ‘for I have had Chart declared it was impossible for him to majority of this money came from the Hoare was a happy one. But Chart’s actions had it much in my thoughts lately that it is not go on; by the time she read the note he would family. George Hoare gave an initial £3,450, far-reaching consequences for his family. too much for me now, in degree or cost, to be dead. A frantic hunt revealed no trace of followed by a further £300 to cover the cost Suicide was not only illegal but greatly feared keep a coach, but contrarily, that I am almost the missing man until someone suggested of the security bonds he and Chart had been by the Victorians, who regarded it as a greater ashamed to be seen in a hackney.’ looking in stables owned by Chart’s father, a obliged to take out as treasurer and actuary sin than murder. Whenever possible it was For a young man starting out in life a prominent local builder. There the searchers respectively. Donations by George’s brother hushed up, often with the connivance of local coach was not nearly as desirable as a fast, were confronted by a grim sight: Chart’s Henry (£500) and their sister Lady Acland doctors and clergymen. In cases where this smart hunting horse. And the summer of lifeless body, suspended from the rafters by a (£100) took the family’s contribution to was impossible, like William Chart’s, the 1730 found twenty-year old Richard Hoare, horse halter. over £4,000, which, added to contributions family had various practical difficulties to grandson of the bank’s founder, negotiating At the inquest Chart’s son-in-law claimed from three other Trustees and the balance of grapple with. Firstly, burial in consecrated for just such a creature. The seller, though, his late father-in-law had been labouring the Reserve Fund meant the hard-pressed ground was forbidden. Chart’s wish to be was in no mood to bargain. ‘[W]as I in my under a severe mental anguish for some Managers had to find little more than £30 buried in Mitcham churchyard therefore had Pristine State of health & able to Ride him,’ time; so severe, in fact, that Chart had begun between them. to be set aside; instead, he was interred at the declared John Farrer, ‘I would not sell him declaring to anyone who would listen that The events that befell the Mitcham private South Metropolitan Cemetery (West for £40. He’s the surest footed Horse I ever the Prime Minister had promised him a seat Savings’ Bank were alarming, but by no Norwood). Then there were the financial mounted & the best Leaper – Especially in in Parliament. In light of such evidence the means unique. Savings’ Banks up and down repercussions; a suicide’s entire estate a Rough Strong Country. I will not abate verdict came as no surprise: the deceased had the country were subjected to frauds, often reverted to the Crown unless the inquest one Shilling of Twenty pounds – [and] I have destroyed himself whilst of unsound mind. effected by men in similar positions to recorded a verdict of insanity. The evidence a friend will be very thankful for him at the But the cause of Chart’s breakdown was less Chart. In 1834 the actuary of the Woolwich of Chart’s son-in-law spared his widow this same Rate.’1 Outflanked, Richard duly paid clear. Domestic disharmony seemed unlikely. & Plumstead Savings’ Bank was convicted of particular burden. But her life was changed the £20. Soon afterwards he parted with an He had recently remarried and become a embezzlement on a considerable scale. Eight irrevocably. Soon after the events of 1845 additional £1–14s for a hunting saddle and father once more. So could it be related to years later the secretary of the Richmond Mary Ann Chart left Mitcham with her swanskin saddlecloth from saddler George his business dealings? Or to his role at the Savings’ Bank received a sentence of two infant son, Sydney. By the early 1850s she Hardwick of Gray’s Inn Lane. But just a year Mitcham Savings’ Bank? years’ hard labour after pleading guilty to was working as a milliner at Deptford. Soon later, around the time Richard became a The timing of Chart’s suicide – he had forgery. Like Chart, their activities had afterwards she disappeared from view. Partner at the bank, Farrer’s steed was traded been due to meet with George Hoare on continued undetected for long periods, in Given the tragedy surrounding his early in for a bay gelding and Hardwick’s saddle Savings’ Bank business that very morning part because they too were deemed to be such years, Sydney Chart’s life too might well replaced by an altogether more splendid one and seemingly had gone out of his way upstanding citizens – one was described as have been blighted. But fate would be kinder complete with town-made stirrups, silk tags, the armes and a larg[e] boarder all round fee of £15 p.a. Richard frequently found to avoid a similar encounter the previous ‘a person of very respectable connexions,’ to Sydney than it had been to his parents. lace fringing and a large floral border. the pannels heithened in gould.’ Varnished himself being billed for repairs excluded from evening – caused considerable anxiety among the other, a former army officer, had ‘most At the age of twenty he secured a clerkship The purchase of Richard’s first vehicle vermillion wheels, a ‘super fine’ cloth-lined this agreement, such as the replacement of those connected with the Mitcham Savings’ gentlemanlike’ manners – but also because in the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Co., coincided with his marriage. In 1732 Holborn interior, silk curtains and wrought brass broken lamps or the repainting of scraped Bank. Recognising the need for swift action, of the negligence displayed by Trustees and ironically enough in the audit department, based coachmaker William Male billed bridles engraved with Richard’s crest ensured panels. The introduction of Coach Duty George ordered all depositors to submit Managers, many of whom were content to and set sail for Bombay. Four years later Richard for ‘A new Masheen Charet made the end result was both fashionable and in 1747 (£4 p.a.) added still more to the their books for examination. A cursory look leave the day to day running of their banks to he was joined by his cousin, Alice, whom after the best manner and newest fashen.’2 luxurious. chariot’s expense. Then there were the day was enough. Over £3,000 was missing from the actuaries. he married on Christmas Day 1868. By the Lighter and more glamorous than coaches, The price of this new chariot was £95 to day outgoings. First Richard engaged a the accounts. As news filtered out panic set Mitcham’s Trustees escaped relatively time Sydney retired, after nearly forty years’ chariots required just two horses instead excluding harness. A further £57–15s was coachman, Samuel Griffin, and a groom, in. Within days the local economy had been lightly. ‘Some blame was at first attributed service, he had risen to become Chief Cashier of four or six and could be driven open or spent acquiring a pair of horses. But this Richard Ingle, both of whom had to be paid, paralysed and hundreds of families were to the trustees, who, it was said, had left the and Paymaster. And long after his return to closed. They were also lavishly decorated. substantial outlay soon paled when set housed, fed and supplied with uniforms. left staring ruin in the face. But worse was management of the affairs of the bank too England in 1901, his portrait continued to Richard had his chariot handsomely carved against the cost of keeping the chariot on the Next he rented stables and a coach house to follow. A month long investigation by much in the hands of the deceased; but as hang in the Company’s Bombay offices. and painted ‘with shildes and pedastals to road. Despite paying Male a maintenance and equipped them with myriad brooms,

[ 92 ] [ 93 ] could accommodate three. None had room not immune from such displays. In a letter Bright colours, bearskin seats, gold silk cheapest sort, manufactured on purpose … for a coachman however; instead they were to Henry Hugh Hoare, written shortly after tassels and japanned leather cushions Although a carriage may look fair, by being driven by a postilion seated on the near (left) his wedding in 1784, his uncle’s wife, Mary proliferated, although few went as far as the disguised with paint and putty, which is horse. Both chaises and postilions could be Hoare, denounced the endless visiting such Marquess of Donegall, who in 1800 took to artfully laid on, yet the carriage may be nearly hired from inns, at a price, but those who an event necessarily entailed, ‘but then,’ the road atop a black and yellow vis à vis, the rotten, and ought to be broken up than made travelled extensively or who could afford to she teased, ‘you know it will be somewhat front window of which sported a transparent use of.’11 Felton’s three volume Treatise on do so tended to purchase their own chaise, lessened by the pleasure of seeing all eyes, painting by Orme depicting an inconsolable Carriages (1794–96) offered tips on buying a thus ensuring they had a clean, safe vehicle as you roll by in the divine Coach, fixed Juliet draped over her expired Romeo. carriage and advice on its maintenance, as constantly at their disposal. on the new & unheard of beautiful line in Carriages like these emphasised not well as a comprehensive price list covering Richard’s chaise was used primarily to the crane-neck, & following it with looks only the owners’ wealth and taste, but also everything from replacement springs to convey him to and from his country house of admiration.’7 A short time afterwards the skill of the coachmakers, the most a new bespoke vehicle. According to his at Barn Elms, Surrey, or to Bath, a favourite novelist Maria Edgeworth informed a friend successful of whom – the likes of Godsall calculations town coaches similar to Colt holiday spot, while Henry (Magnificent), ‘I left Roehampton yesterday, and took leave or Hilditch, both of Long Acre, and Leader Hoare’s started at about £100. But the cost who shuttled between London and Wiltshire of my friend Mrs Charles Hoare, with a high of Liquor Pond Street, Holborn – became of ‘extras’ including sword cases (£2–10s), for over forty years, went so far as to employ opinion of her abilities, and a still higher household names. The second-hand market, quilted interiors (£1–1s), venetian blinds a full-time postilion alongside his coachman opinion of her goodness. She was exceedingly meanwhile, boomed like never before. (£2–5s), additional colours (£1–15s each) and groom. In common with most chaise kind to me, and I spent most of my time with Private advertisements still appeared in and the painting of armorials on door panels owners, however, both men habitually hired her as I liked: I say most, because a good deal the newspapers, but a number of large- (£1–9s) frequently doubled the final price. horses when travelling. Given that horses of it was spent in company, where I heard scale dealers also emerged, selling horses, Those put off by the inconvenience or cost could do no more than fifteen to twenty miles of nothing but chariots and horses, and carriages and the requisite harness by auction of buying and maintaining a carriage found at a stretch, the ability to exchange tired curricles and tandems. Oh, to what contempt or private treaty. Chief among these were hiring an attractive alternative. Carriages ones for fresh at inns or post houses enabled I exposed myself in a luckless hour, by asking Langhorn’s City Repository, Barbican, and could be rented on a daily, weekly, monthly, travellers to be back on the road within what a tandem was!’8 Tattersall’s at Hyde Park Corner. By 1800 seasonal or even yearly basis. While serving as minutes, significantly cutting overall journey By this time too it had become customary Tattersall had nearly seventy carriages and Sheriff (1740–41) and subsequently as Lord times. Arriving in France for a year-long for new carriages to be unveiled during the innumerable horses on his books, while Mayor of London (1745–46), Richard Hoare Sir Richard Hoare Kt by unknown artist, c.1745 stay in 1748, Richard’s first thought was to Birthday Galas of either the King (June) or, Langhorn’s stock included ‘Several neat, opted to rent a state chariot rather than go to examine the two chaises he had arranged to more usually, the Queen (January). On those modern, round bodied whiskies; several neat the expense of purchasing one. Similarly, by buckets, pails, mops, sponges, combs, ‘To be Sold at Mr Holt’s, at the Man in the be purchased on his behalf, after which ‘we days carriage owners would parade up and taxed carts; three chariots, two phaetons, the end of the century those looking to cut a brushes and cloths. Fresh straw was required Moon in Chiswell Street near Moorfields, had nothing more to do than to hire a Servant down St James’s Street and Pall Mall in hopes a cart nearly new; some pairs, and single bit of a dash, including Richard’s son Harry, daily, along with hay, oats, bran, corn A Very compleat Four-Wheel Chaise, fit for extraordinary by Way of Courier to ride of exciting the admiration of the watching seasoned nag-tailed coach and chariot could hire fashionable open top vehicles – and beans; the phrase ‘eat like a horse’, it a Pair of Horses, for a Gentleman to drive before our Chaises and prepare the Horses at crowds and the envy of their peers. Nor did geldings; several clever roadsters, and several barouches, phaetons, curricles or tandems seems, did not come about by accident. himself or a Coachman; it is short and light, each Post, accordingly one who spoke both those far removed from London miss out, tight-moulded chair horses; some stout – for use during the summer months. Others Farriers too submitted regular bills for little the worse for Wear, lately belonging French and English offer’d himself for this for detailed descriptions of the most eye- boney draught horses; also many useful, entered into long-term agreements, which shoeing, tooth rasping and the doctoring of to a Gentleman deceased.’4 Equally brisk Service for 5 Louis d’ors to be dismissed upon catching vehicles appeared in the press. In boney, good sized geldings and mares, for for a fixed annual fee allowed them to enjoy innumerable ailments, cuts and bruises by was the trade in carriage horses. ‘A Very fine our Arrival at Paris.’6 1791 the Star noted that ‘Lord Ducie launched various purposes.’10 all the advantages of a new carriage, painted means of bleeding, purging, blistering and brown-bay Gelding to be sold, near fifteen The second half of the eighteenth forth with a new wife in a new crane-necked Repositories offered customers and decorated to their own specification, the application of tinctures and powders, Hands high, now six Years old, Master of century witnessed a surge in private coach, very elegant; the body of light green, choice and the convenience of a one stop complete with harness and repairs, for up to dressings and poultices. Small wonder that twenty Stone, rides well, trots fast, is very carriage ownership, due in part to the with a handsome fillet round the top of the shop. But not everyone was enamoured. four years, generally regarded as the vehicle’s in 1733 alone Richard’s horse and carriage sound, without Blemish, draws well, and expansion of the monied middle class, but pannels, composed of true lovers knots … Coachmaker William Felton of Leather lifespan in terms of either durability or expenditure topped £325. likely to make as good a Chaise-Horse as also to improvements in road and coach the arms, crest, and coronet proper, the Lane, Holborn, albeit a somewhat biased fashion. Given the high prices carriages most Gentlemen have. Enquire at the Pewter construction, which rendered coach travel lining white, with a handsome green silk judge, warned purchasers to be on their commanded, it was not uncommon for Platter Inn in St John’s Street, Clerkenwell.’5 faster, more reliable and more comfortable lace.’9 A year later Sir Richard Colt Hoare Bt, guard against unscrupulous dealers. ‘The owners to part-exchange old for new. In 1743 While chariots and carriages sufficed than before. By the 1780s having a private newly returned from six years’ Continental means whereby those people are enabled Richard’s brother, Henry (Magnificent), for getting about town or travelling short carriage at one’s disposal was a luxury travel, attended the Queen’s Birthday Gala to sell their carriages, is by giving to them traded in two mourning coaches valued distances, anyone looking to venture few who could afford it wished to forego. in a handsome silver-trimmed town coach a good appearance, and imitating, as much at £30. Two years later bank Partner further afield usually resorted to a chaise. Convenience was not the only motive, painted red, white and blue. Others, no as possible, the fashion. This they do by Christopher Arnold recorded that he parted Like carriages, chaises were four wheeled however. Owners were acutely aware that less anxious to make a splash but unwilling ornamenting them, in particular with plated with £63–10s ‘For a new chariot (deducting vehicles. But their lighter frames meant their choice of vehicle and decoration visibly or unable to swallow the expense of a new work, new painting, putting in a new lining, for ye old one).’3 Before long a brisk trade they required only two horses to pull them. proclaimed their wealth, their taste and their carriage, settled instead for having their old with some showey lace … new lamps etc. All in second-hand vehicles had developed. Most seated two passengers, although some aspirations. Unsurprisingly, the Hoares were one repainted, revarnished or reupholstered. the materials used for this purpose are of the

[ 94 ] [ 95 ] 38 Raincliff homestead near Timaru, New Zealand, c.1890 ‘I wish you a very happy Christmas and many of them, and also very many happy returns of your birthday. It seems funny to think that we shall be having it hot here, while you may be skating.’1 So wrote Beatrice Hollond to her brother, Harry Hoare, in 1885. ‘Here’ was Raincliff, a sheep station near Timaru, New Zealand. ‘We’ comprised Beatrice, her parents, husband and baby son. But why were they celebrating Christmas on the other side of the world?

The answer lies with Beatrice’s father, of short-term rented houses, while their landowners two acres of free land for every Henry Hoare of Iden, Kent. The eldest ten children shuttled between various acre planted with forest trees, and partly by son of Henry Hoare (Staplehurst), Henry boarding schools, the family’s main home his own inclination, Henry instigated large- had followed his father into the bank, at Staplehurst and an assortment of long- scale planting schemes, mixing indigenous becoming a salaried Partner at the time of suffering aunts and uncles. So peripatetic did species with English ones such as beech, his marriage in 1865 and a full Partner after life become that pinpointing one another’s the latter of which he brought over from his father’s death a year later. As soon as he whereabouts at any given moment was a England as seeds on ice before coaxing them came into his inheritance, however, Henry constant challenge. As Henry’s second son, into life in specially constructed frames. began spending money on a lavish scale. eleven year old Percy, plaintively asked his Additionally, quantities of willow trees were Some went towards improving his Kent mother in February 1880, ‘Where abouts are placed along the river banks to guard against estates, but much more was poured into a you in the world now?’2 Letters, the key to erosion, an avenue of limes was planted series of speculative ventures, including the staying in touch, were directed via Henry’s down the front drive and a plantation by the Canadian Tanning Extract Co., Barrow Flax steward, Woollard, who alone seemed kitchen garden expanded to hide the wool & Jute Co., Staplehurst Steam Plough Co. capable of keeping track of everyone’s shed and manager’s house from the main and the Furness Railway Co. At the same movements. It was Woollard too who residence. Nor did Henry neglect the local time, though, Henry began buying land in checked the departure and arrival times of bush that surrounded Raincliff, taking great New Zealand. trains and steamers, arranged for forgotten pains to ensure that it too was managed New Zealand is not such a great leap as books and clothes to be reunited with their effectively. might appear at first sight. A cousin, Hon owners and organised the children’s holiday In 1885 Henry and Beatrice arrived at John Barton Arundel Acland, son of Sir treats. ‘Ask Woollard’ was a perpetual refrain Raincliff for a stay that would last nearly a Thomas Dyke Acland 10th Bt and his wife throughout Beatrice and Henry’s letters. year. But for much of that time they were Lydia Hoare, had been farming a 100,000 During the first half of the 1880s Henry joined by their two eldest children. Eighteen acre sheep station at Canterbury since the and Beatrice made almost annual visits to year old Harry, seeking diversion after his 1850s, while writer Samuel Butler, a close Raincliff. ‘It seems so odd thinking of you first year at Cambridge, spent three months friend of Henry’s since university days, under our feet exactly the other side of the at Raincliff, while nineteen year old Beatrice spent the early 1860s running another sheep world!’ wrote Beatrice to their eldest son arrived in August with her husband Arthur station nearby. Exactly when Henry began Harry as her two-month voyage drew to an Hollond and their baby son for a six month acquiring land there is unclear – his son Fred end in May 1880, adding, ‘The people on visit. Numerous other guests also came would later claim Henry’s first purchases board have most extraordinary manners and went, among them publisher Maurice dated back to the early 1860s – but his bank … they are Australians and consequently Macmillan and his wife, whom Harry account shows that it was no later than 1871. very free & easy!’3 Australian manners had befriended during the crossing from For in October that year Henry remitted would not be the only novelty to confront Tasmania. Family letters paint an idyllic £1,000 to Christchurch. Two months later Beatrice during this her first visit down picture of this period, with days spent a further £1,000 was paid to George Packe, under, however. Conditions at Raincliff shooting, sketching, riding, visiting their co-owner of the Raincliff estate. The bank’s were far more primitive than anything she Acland cousins or simply playing with the alone … the whole of our life together out in three times Arthur had to start the buggy by was a deep hole full of blue water boiling hot, ledgers also suggest that Henry may have would have encountered back home; the baby on the veranda. Keen gardener Harry Raincliff came over me with a rush.’5 pushing from behind.’7 But the couple were with a lot of steam coming up from it.’ After been acting in partnership with his brother, house was small, rat-ridden and kitchen- also found time to take large numbers of While Harry was content to stay in and determined to see New Zealand’s foremost lunching on freshly caught crayfish, cooked Rev Walter Hoare, who paid Packe £2,000 at less. Despite these inconveniences, though, poplar and willow cuttings, which his mother around Raincliff, the Hollonds seized tourist attraction, the famed Pink and White in one of the hot springs, they continued on the same time. Raincliff had charms enough. There was afterwards assured him were ‘growing the opportunity their visit afforded them Terraces. Early one morning, therefore, to the Pink Terrace by canoe. ‘[T]he Pink is Unfortunately for Henry, his speculations a pretty garden and its setting, in a broad beautifully and next year will be planted out to explore New Zealand more widely. In they scrambled down to the edge of Lake smaller and more compact than the White, failed to live up to expectation. By 1874, his valley dissected by a river and ringed with … I want them all planted in one place so November 1885 they made an excursion Tarawera, where a team of Maori oarsmen the stone … is of a pale salmon colour and the personal finances had unravelled to such an snow-capped mountains, captivated both that if you ever come out again you will see to scenic Lake Tekapo, stopping off en was waiting to row them across to the other water is a brighter blue … The White looks extent that he was obliged to resign from Henry and Beatrice. They set about exploring them.’4 Harry never did return, but his visit route to visit Melville Gray. ‘Such a pretty side. After a strenuous walk along a narrow much the finest from the top, but the Pink the bank, a move that ended both his career their new surroundings in a buggy, planning left an indelible impression on him. A decade place,’ commented Beatrice, ‘and he is a hillside path they finally came face to face the prettiest from the lake. We had a bathe and the income – his share of the profits improvements to the estate and expanding later he wrote to his mother from Pitlochry, very pleasant man, his sister is married to with the White Terrace. ‘I hope you have seen in one of the hot pools near the top of the in 1873 alone had totalled £20,000 – that its plantations. Scotland, ‘You can’t think how this all the artist Millais.’6 This was followed by pictures of it,’ Beatrice wrote to Harry, ‘for to Pink, first the ladies & then the gentlemen, came with it. Family life too underwent a Trees would become a significant feature reminds me of Raincliff the little house that an altogether more arduous expedition to describe it would be impossible. There was a dressing & undressing in the manuka scrub.’8 profound change. Henceforth, Henry and at Raincliff during the following decades. just holds us three looking down the valley New Zealand’s North Island. ‘The road was kind of hill of layers of curious white stone, It was, declared Beatrice, fairyland. As events his wife Beatrice would spend much of their Spurred on partly by the Tree Planting with the river running down the middle & dreadful, very sandy & heavy & hilly … We over which warm water was trickling, which transpired, however, she was among the time travelling or staying in a succession Encouragement Act (1871), which granted then when one gets out onto the moor quite walked up a good many hills, and two or formed pools in some places, and at the top last people to see the Terraces; the eruption

[ 96 ] [ 97 ] of Mount Tarawera a few months later son, twenty-one year old Fred, be trained agree.’12 Word also had reached him that his obliterated them both. up by Mackay with a view to assuming full mother wished him to quit New Zealand for Such adventures notwithstanding, the management of the estate. Borneo, where her family connections could serious business of running a sheep station For Fred, his uncles’ proposition signalled secure him a job on a tobacco plantation. was never neglected. Overall responsibility an abrupt change of lifestyle. Following a Although anxious to please his family – for this rested with the station manager, spell at Neuenheim College, Heidelberg, ‘I grudge very much running against my Robert Mackay, who had emigrated from which despite its German location had peoples wishes’ – Fred was keen to make a the Scottish Highlands during the 1860s. given him a thoroughly English education success of Raincliff and grateful for Harry’s But Henry, who hoped Raincliff could be complete with rugby, cricket and fives, Fred offer of support. ‘It’s awfully good of you developed enough to provide him with a had commenced life as an articled clerk in to say that perhaps you might be able to let reliable income, had definite ideas about an accountant’s office. By the spring of 1892, me have a bit of stuff when the time comes.’ what changes he wished to make. In however, number crunching in London After much discussion Fred was granted particular he wanted to increase the station’s had been exchanged for the ceaseless, some extra time, while in November that wheat production and improve the quantity backbreaking toil of colonial farming: the year his uncles borrowed over £20,000 from and quality of its sheep. To this end he and erection and maintenance of mile upon mile Hoare’s Bank for the estate’s upkeep and Mackay spent long days ranging across the of fencing, the endless grubbing up of gorse development. estate on foot or on horseback and many and stones, the cultivation and harvest of Ultimately, Fred’s stay at Raincliff lasted equally long evenings formulating their vast quantities of turnip and rape to sustain six years. Following Charles Hoare’s death plans through a haze of blue pipe smoke. the sheep during the winter months. The in March 1898, he was summoned home A burst of frenetic activity then followed, sheep too were hard work: the buying and to discuss the station’s future. On arrival resulting in the construction of additional selling, the sorting, dipping, weaning, tailing the family lawyers informed him that the fences and roads, an increase in the acreage and shearing. Several thousand lambs were executors had agreed to sell Raincliff to the under cultivation and the arrival of new weaned each year, while nearly 24,000 New Zealand Trust & Loan Co. Later that breeding stock, handpicked by Mackay, from animals had to be shorn. ‘I’ve been having a year, at the instigation of Harry and Alfred, Tasmania. And it was not long before their devil of a job cutting & tailing lambs,’ Fred Fred entered Hoare’s Bank with the aim of hard work began to pay dividends. Raincliff’s wrote to his brother Harry in 1894. ‘You see replacing the latter, who harboured political sheep were regular winners at the annual I leave here at 3[am] with Robb after having ambitions, as a salaried Partner. Except for Timaru Agricultural & Pastoral Association had a bite of the previous nights supper, ride a two-year stint in the Imperial Yeomanry Show from the mid 1880s, while in 1891 up to the place where the men are camped during the Boer War, Fred remained at ‘Raincliff [took] all the chief honours. Mr ABOVE Henry and Beatrice Hoare, c.1870 start mustering while the men are putting Hoare’s for the rest of his working life, Hoare’s sheep are in exceptionally grand up the yards of stakes & netting – sheep in although he never was made a Partner. condition, and the best ram from the world OPPOSITE Lime avenue at Raincliff, photographed by 9 ten minutes for Breakfast men having Today one tangible reminder of the Hoare famous Gibson flock, in Tasmania, was in the 1990s had theirs two shepherds & I cutting with 7 family’s involvement with Raincliff remains: greatly admired for symmetry of frame, and catching – finished – shift to next paddock & the trees planted by Henry and Harry during quality and density of wool. The young rams it’s the same over again – an hour for dinner the 1880s. Together with neighbouring and ewes from the imported stock, showed is the only spell until you get home which is Pioneer Park, Raincliff Forest, nurtured great care in selection and breeding, and usually 6 to half past – 3 paddocks a day is first and augmented by successive owners, now reflected much credit on their selector, Mr rate work.’11 welcomes countless campers, walkers R. Mackay.’9 Despite the gruelling nature of his new life and mountain bike riders, some of whom This triumph turned out to be Henry’s Fred hoped to make Raincliff his permanent wend their way along a specially created final hurrah. A month later, after years of home. But his time there was dogged by ‘Hoare track’. juggling, financial disaster struck once again, uncertainty. In September 1894 he begged forcing him into bankruptcy with debts Harry to persuade the family to allow estimated at £200,000-£300,000. Realising him another twelve months to prove the what was about to happen, he drew up a at that time. For not only was New Zealand’s development at Raincliff. As Charles assured estate’s viability. The chief stumbling block, deed of settlement conveying his entire New economy showing signs of emerging from a sceptical Beatrice in December 1891, according to Fred, was Beatrice. ‘I question Zealand property to his brothers, Alfred and a long and deep recession, but back in 1887 ‘I believe the investment in developing whether Mother would be inclined ever to let Charles Hoare. Neither Alfred nor Charles they had approved Henry’s decision to pledge Raincliff was prudent & is likely to turn out me have any money in this country & one can had shown much interest in Raincliff, but a £2,000 p.a. allowance to an insurance satisfactorily.’10 He and Alfred also had a hardly expect others to do so unless she takes they were reluctant to sever the family’s ties company, partly to raise £14,000 for further proposal to put to her, namely that her third the lead but with this you do not apparently

[ 98 ] [ 99 ] 39 Letter by Harry Hoare written at Mena House, Cairo, 1893 As a winter holiday destination Egypt, with its beguiling mix of sunshine, languorous Nile and glimpses of ancient civilizations, is hard to beat. Among the countless visitors to have been seduced by its charms was bank Partner Harry Hoare, who spent two winters there during the 1890s.

European interest in Egypt grew steadily And it was to New Zealand that his thoughts Mrs Cole had also made their way to Luxor, from the 1830s, fuelled by an influx of archae- initially had turned when urged by his doctor as had a young cousin, Hugh Troyte Acland. ological finds and the work of artist David to winter in a warmer climate. Then over tea At a reception hosted by the English Consul, Roberts, whose lavishly illustrated books one evening an aunt suggested Egypt. At meanwhile, Harry encountered a fellow brought the country’s wonders to life. But it first Harry hesitated. Although somewhere banker, one of the Brussels’ Rothschilds, who was only in the late 1860s, after the construc- he had always wanted to visit, Egypt was had chartered a private steamer. tion of a rail network, the opening of the Suez expensive ‘and I have always understood By this time Harry’s health had improved Canal and the introduction of Nile steamers Cairo to be nothing more nor less than a so much that he was able to enjoy everything that Egypt really took off as a tourist destina- London season – however aunt Clarie [Clara the region had to offer. The chief amusement, tion. Together these innovations enabled the Paley] thinks that the Locke Kings’ Hotel at he reported, was riding. A pound a week prosperous middle classes to undertake in a the Pyramids is very quiet and a trip up the gave him exclusive use of a horse, although matter of days (in comfort and at reasonable Nile in a steamer even more so.’2 Former the local saddles – ‘most peculiar’ – and their cost) a journey that previously would have royal hunting lodge Mena House had been stirrups – ‘as big as housemaids dustpans’ – taken weeks. Thomas Cook organised his converted into a luxury hotel by Hugh Locke took a bit of getting used to. He also spent first tour of Egypt in 1869 and within a King (grandson of bank Partner William a few days steaming up to Aswan and back. few years had built up a fleet of seventeen Henry Hoare) in 1885. Popular from the Then there were the ruins in and around steamers capable of carrying tourists all the outset, its guests included the Prince of Luxor to be explored. It was not long, way from Cairo to Wadi Halfa. Wales and Arthur Conan Doyle. The latter’s however, before Harry succumbed to temple By the time Harry Hoare visited Egypt stay even inspired a page-turning tale of fatigue. ‘The inscriptions on all these masses in the winter of 1892–93 its reputation thrills and spills, Tragedy of the Korosko (1898), of sandrock can be much the same and I must was firmly established. Invalids bent on in which a group of luckless tourists were say that I feel that I’m seeing nothing new bolstering their flagging health could count kidnapped from a Nile steamer by sword- now when I see a fresh temple.’ Thankfully on water cures, balmy smog-free air and wielding Dervishes. Karnak’s charms lasted longer. ‘I’m getting to resident English doctors. Pleasure seekers Within weeks of his aunt’s suggestion know that place pretty well now from nearly were guaranteed balls, race meetings and Harry found himself on board the P&O’s every aspect and in almost every light. I’ve military tournaments. Antiquarians, or the SS Rosetta. Nor did he waste any time been there to sketch by day – to shoot jackal merely curious, had an inexhaustible supply ferreting out some congenial company: a at sunset and to see the Views by moonlight, of tombs, temples and ruins to rummage couple of army officers bound for India, a which really is a grand sight.’5 around in. To cater for these assorted visitors Cambridge professor and Lord Elphinstone’s Above all, Harry enjoyed his forays into grand hotels sprang up at Cairo, Luxor, daughter, travelling with a Mrs Cole. ‘It’s the the desert. An hour’s ride through assorted Karnak and Aswan, while Cook’s latest greatest comfort having Mrs Cole & Miss corn fields, bean fields and sugar plantations steamer, Rameses III, launched in 1893, was Elphinstone on board,’ he declared. And as invariably brought him face to face with regarded as the last word in floating luxury. the Rosetta ploughed her way into warmer limitless sands in a kaleidoscope of colours – ‘The cabins on the lower deck are most waters, Harry’s spirits revived still more. At yellow, pink, violet and mauve – that proved sumptuously fitted, and have every comfort Gibraltar, their first stop, he headed straight frustratingly elusive to sketch. Sketching and accommodation for invalids … On the to the market. After buying as many oranges was not the desert’s sole attraction though. upper deck, is a very fine saloon for ladies, and lemons as he could carry, he moved on It also offered unrivalled opportunities for with a library of Egyptian and other books.’1 to the public gardens: ‘it seemed almost hunting. One evening Harry and another And for private parties Cook offered steel impossible to imagine that we were in the visitor set out from Luxor on just such an dahabiyas, which married the romance middle of December with flowers out & trees adventure. ‘We were rather a large party,’ of old-fashioned Nile travel with all the quite green.’3 he recalled, ‘our two selves on horses, a conveniences modern tourists had come to On arrival in Egypt, Harry spent a few dragoman on a camel … another man on a expect. days at Mena House before making his way to camel with our rugs & clothes two men on Despite these myriad attractions Egypt Luxor on New Year’s Eve 1892. Luxor Hotel donkeys … two men running one belonging was not Harry’s first choice. Throughout just about passed muster – ‘I quite like this to the horses the other to the camels.’ After the autumn of 1892 he had been plagued by place such as it is, hotel life never is the pink setting up camp a dead donkey was placed a a succession of ailments: colds, toothache, of perfection’ – although his fellow guests short distance off, the party rolled themselves neuralgia and recurring attacks of a sharp fared less well – ‘depressingly dull and mostly up in rugs and settled down to wait. Several ague – probably malaria picked up during a 10th rate.’4 Not that he was entirely bereft of times over the next few hours a dozing Harry voyage to New Zealand seven years earlier. acceptable company. Miss Elphinstone and was alerted by nothing more exciting than

[ 100 ] 40 Subscription for the Spitalfields Soup Society, 1838 Record numbers of people are turning to foodbanks for assistance. Positively Dickensian shrieks the press. But as the archives at Hoare’s Bank can testify, similar schemes were in operation long before Dickens ever put pen to paper.

the barking of dogs in a nearby village. But There is nothing new about the well-off basic foodstuffs and coal at subsidised rates, any other mode of preparation, as by that of at about 2am he woke to find a wolf tearing helping those less fortunate than them- redeeming pawns or discharging small debts. a Good Meat Soup.’1 Decision made, they greedily at the dead donkey. His first shot selves. But the rapid expansion of Britain’s By the 1790s, however, the Napoleonic Wars wasted no time forming a Soup Society, felled the creature. Success! When one of towns and cities during the Industrial and a series of poor harvests had given rise renting suitable premises (53 Brick Lane) to the servants went to drag it back to camp by Revolution created urban poverty on an to such unparalleled distress that new, more act as a ‘Soup House’, installing three large its tail, however, the animal sprang to life. unprecedented scale. This in turn prompted direct measures were required. boilers and engaging a respectable married The ensuing mayhem saw the entire party the establishment of numerous charities One such measure emerged during a woman as Superintendent. Subscribers, it tumble out of their rugs in a bid to rescue aimed squarely at those worst affected. The meeting convened at Spitalfields in the was agreed, could refer up to six ‘deserving’ the unfortunate man. Neither this nor the Charitable Purposes Society, for example, winter of 1797. Alarmed at the misery the cases a week – an important distinction, for revelation that Harry’s wolf was in fact a dog which opened an account at Hoare’s in 1774, economic downturn had inflicted on the the Soup Society had no desire to help anyone belonging to one of the villagers dampened targeted ‘the distressed and deserving poor’ area’s silk weavers, the meeting’s promoters, who had fallen into poverty through their his spirits. ‘The whole thing was such fun in a number of central London parishes predominantly local Quaker businessmen, own imprudence. that tonight we are all going out … Mrs Cole, including Marylebone and St James’s. decided that the most effective form of relief The Spitalfields Soup Society operated Miss Elphinstone, Studd, Pereria & I – we A guinea subscription entitled Society would be the provision of cooked food for along draconian lines from the outset. are going to take a tent in case the ladies find members to two tickets, redeemable against a token sum. Furthermore, it ‘appeared to A Committee of thirty-six was divided into it too cold & are going to have a camp fire & bread, meat, potatoes, coal or clothing, which be a fact, universally admitted, that an equal twelve groups of Daily Visitors, who attended sing songs till about 11 to the banjo & then I they could pass on to whomever they chose. quantity of nutritious aliment cannot be in strict rotation. Fines – 1s for lateness, 2s 6d shall leave them & go about two miles off & Other enterprises focused on supplying afforded at so reasonable an expense, by for missing a day – were ruthlessly enforced. have another try for a hyena with my donkey The Sphinx at Giza by Vegnios & Zachos, c.1920 as he is still dead.’6 Harry finally returned to England in the spring of 1893. The following winter, after Stocks was struck down by a chill, but scampered off into the desert & the dark however, found him in Egypt once more. there was amusement enough to be found for there was no moon! However when we Illness again played its part, but this time at Luxor and Aswan. Evenings at the latter reached the Sphinx, the Arabs lit her up with too Harry was leaving behind a failed were spent playing cards on the hotel roof magnesium wire which … produced a most romance. His engagement to the Hon Lilian by moonlight, while at Luxor the pair dined stirring effect.’ Elphinstone had been announced in May with the English Consul. ‘[Y]ou have to eat 1893, shortly after his return from Egypt. But entirely with your fingers,’ wrote Harry in by October the match was off. Accompanied amazement, although ‘you are allowed a instead by close friend Michael Stocks, spoon for the soup which is served up in one Harry arrived at Cairo in February 1894 and central bowl on the big brass tea tray placed immediately boarded a Nile steamer. As upon wooden legs.’8 before, it did not take him long to discover Nearly forty years would pass before old acquaintances and make new ones. For Harry’s next visit to Egypt. And as the train on board was an Eton contemporary, the rattled towards Cairo on Christmas Day 1932 Earl of Mar & Kellie, travelling with his he found himself gazing out on a landscape wife and sister-in-law, Sir Julian Goldsmid that had changed beyond all recognition. MP, an army colonel and the newly married ‘There are quantities of trees to be seen in daughter of the Deputy Speaker of the every direction, including Tecomas with a House of Commons; ‘So you see we are a lovely yellow trumpet flower, pepper trees, very jolly lot altogether.’7 Eucalyptus, Cluster Pines, Palms, Willows Originally, Harry and Stocks had planned and many others … it all looks very different to undertake a riding tour to Helouan from the arid waste that it did when I was via the Saqqara pyramids. Promoted as a last in that part.’9 His predilection for winter health resort, Helouan, sixteen miles nocturnal forays into the desert remained south of Cairo, offered tennis, croquet, undiminished though. That evening he was horseracing, shooting, swimming and two among a group of Mena House guests who, golf courses (eighteen holes for men, nine after dancing late into the night, decided to for ladies) designed by the resident English view the Sphinx by moonlight. ‘4 donkeys The Soup Kitchen for the Destitute Poor, Leicester Square, by W. C. Mason after F. N. Shepherd, 1849 doctor. This trip had to be abandoned & 2 camels were secured and we were London Metropolitan Archives (City of London)

[ 102 ] [ 103 ] At 6pm on the evening preceding their prepared of equal quality, themselves, for demand for clocks and watches, triggered looms lay motionless, depriving not only Twenty years later another sharp economic relieved,’ conceded Rev Batty of Fulham, ‘but designated attendance day, each group was four or five times that sum.’2 Two quarts by a tax on timepieces, had plunged much of weavers but also nearby shopkeepers of their downturn saw unemployment levels soar many I fear also who were undeserving, and a expected to meet at the Soup House, unlock mixed with potatoes, available from the Clerkenwell, the centre of London’s bustling livelihoods. At a Mansion House meeting once again. Glasgow’s city soup kitchen in good deal of cunning was practised by children the larder and watch as the correct quantity of Society at subsidised rates, comfortably fed clock making industry, into ruin. To alleviate in November 1816, speaker after speaker 1837 was reputedly feeding 18,500 souls a – in one case the children of a family having beef was removed, cut up and placed into the a large family. That first winter (1797–98), this distress the newly formed Clerkenwell gave harrowing accounts of the poverty day; nearby Paisley assigned unnecessary been known to have changed their dress three water-filled boilers; no small task considering the Soup House opened for 88 days and sold Soup Society launched an appeal urging the they had encountered. ‘None but those who tasks – clearing scrubland or labouring in times in the same day, in order to get renewed the larger boilers required 200lbs apiece. 114,502 quarts of soup, while during the ‘Benevolent and Humane’ to donate half a had beheld the reality,’ declared one, ‘could quarries – to gangs of unemployed weavers supplies.’7 Others trotted out the age-old Next they supervised the weighing out of following winter some 383,959 quarts were guinea or more via one of several London picture … the fixed and prostrate despair, of in return for subsistence wages. Individuals suspicions that Soup Houses encouraged Scots barley (up to 100lbs per boiler) and dispensed over 125 days. But so pressing banks, including Messrs Hoare. At the same those who, with all the disposition to work, similarly did what they could, particularly for idleness, profligacy and intemperance. To split peas (up to 76lbs per boiler) into wooden was the need that despite acquiring the time bank Partner Henry Hoare (Mitcham) could find no employment … many, and the Spitalfields weavers, who commanded minimise instances of abuse and ward off tubs. Once these tasks had been completed neighbouring property and installing five agreed to join a General Committee for particularly children, had been swept off by widespread sympathy. Queen Victoria potentially harmful publicity, therefore, Soup the larder was bolted and the fires banked new boilers capable of producing over 3,000 the Relief of Distressed Watch and Clock- new diseases, of which abstinence was the ordered 4,000 yards of Spitalfields silk, Societies found themselves forced to adopt up for the night. At 6am the Daily Visitors quarts between them demand constantly Makers, many of whom were reduced to such only cause, and necessary food the only cure.’ Earl de Grey commissioned an enormous a raft of preventative measures. Spitalfields’ returned, the fires were stoked and the barley outstripped supply. Before long applicants penury that even the penny soup was beyond Worse still, ‘It was unhappily in his power, as silk tapestry for his country house and the subscribers were urged to gauge a potential and peas added to the stewed meat along were being limited to soup every other day. their means. Over £670 was raised by the an eye-witness, to expatiate on scenes of yet Duchess of Jersey, a recognised leader of recipient’s level of distress by visiting them with onions and seasoning. The soup then The success of the Spitalfields Soup General Committee in under ten days. Part darker misery … a human being, who, whilst fashion, assured a deputation of weavers that at home; applicants at Clerkenwell had their was stirred constantly until it was ready to be Society spawned a slew of similar of this sum went towards redeeming pawned life still lingered within him, had already she had ‘exerted her all-powerful influence tickets clipped by the Daily Visitors to prevent served at 10am. Finally, after the Soup House establishments across London and tools and household goods. The remainder become the prey of the worms.’5 Among the over the beau monde by writing to the Duchess them being used more than once a day. closed its doors at 1pm, the Daily Visitors beyond. Lettsom’s Hints Designed to Promote was passed to a Sub-Committee for ideas mooted for the weavers’ relief was a of Gloucester and other ladies of high rank Although instances of abuse involving counted the takings – recipients were charged Beneficence, Temperance, & Medical Science distribution, on condition that any residual penny levy on every domestic servant, which to unite their patronage with hers.’6 Despite seasonal Soup Societies were uncommon, the a penny a quart – before handing the whole (1801) included descriptions of several, funds be given to the Soup Society.4 would raise thousands while encouraging the these public shows of support, however, same could not be said of the permanent ones sum over to the treasurer. along with the recipes they adopted: Soup Societies’ fortunes waxed and waned poor to help one another. The Lord Mayor Spitalfields Soup House found itself busier that also emerged during this period. Some, Unsurprisingly, economy reigned Camberwell Soup (Surrey), Norton Hall according to the tenor of the times, with also suggested ‘ladies might be induced … to than ever, churning out nearly 4,000 quarts notably the Leicester Square Soup Kitchen supreme. Ingredients were purchased Soup (Derbyshire), Mongewell Soup demand predictably peaking during periods imitate his example, in prohibiting the use of of soup a day. Stretched beyond endurance, or the City Public Kitchen, Blackfriars, wholesale and any leftover soup cooled (Oxfordshire) and Birmingham Soup. One of high unemployment or severe weather. puddings and pies, till the price of a quartern the Society issued another desperate plea for were beyond reproach. But as the Charity overnight before being reheated next day. of the first, however, was formed within a During 1812–16 the misery experienced at loaf should be reduced to a shilling.’ Faced funds, urging subscribers to donate at any Organisation Society (COS) acknowledged Even the bones did not go to waste. At first stone’s throw of Spitalfields, at Turnmill Spitalfields surpassed that of 1797 as the high with such overwhelming desperation the one of several prominent London banks, in 1887, ‘The popular character of this class they were removed from the cooked soup and Street, Clerkenwell, ‘where great numbers price of raw silk, the drastic curtailment of Soup House struggled to cope. On the day including Hoare’s. of charities, and the facility with which the sold to a dealer, but the Society soon invested of industrious artificers, with their families, exports and an influx of cheap French silks of the Mansion House meeting alone, 3,400 Soup Societies undoubtedly addressed a outward appearance of a public soup kitchen in several Papin’s Digesters, china-lined are reduced from a comfortable way of wreaked havoc on the local economy. An families made their way to Brick Lane; 200 pressing need, but they had their detractors. can be simulated, has made this an easy mode iron pressure cookers capable of melding living, to extreme want.’3 A collapse in estimated two thirds of the district’s 15,000 left empty handed. ‘No doubt many deserving poor were of obtaining money under false pretences.’8 the bones down to a jelly, thereby increasing One of the most notorious was the at a stroke both the soup’s goodness and its Middlesex Soup and Dinner Kitchen near bulk. And as all administrative work was Tottenham Court Road. Founded in 1869, undertaken by the Committee or Sub- ostensibly to relieve ‘Persons who have fallen Committee, the Society avoided having into poverty through no fault of their own,’ to pay salaries to clerks or commissions its promoter, William Christian, solicited to agents. In fact, its only employees were subscriptions for years without ever producing the Superintendent who, in return for an account of his receipts and expenditure. accommodation and a small allowance, Even after Christian’s previous convictions looked after the premises and measured out for fraud and ‘repeated swindling’ in his native the soup, three men hired by the week to Prussia came to light, and despite his activities prepare the ingredients, stoke up the boilers at Tottenham Court Road arousing disquiet and keep them well scoured, and a daily as early as 1870 – one COS inspector noted woman given the eye-watering task of peeling ‘I called there about Dinner time but I failed up to 40lbs of onions at a time. Despite this to obtain even a Sniff of the Soup or dinner,’9 frugality, however, money was always tight. – the ‘business’, as Christian’s Kitchen was The difference between the cost of making blatantly referred to, continued well into the the soup and the funds its sale generated 1880s. amounted to £150 per week, a shortfall that Local, seasonal Soup Societies, meanwhile, had to be met by voluntary donations. quietly went about their business throughout The Spitalfields Soup Society’s impact was the nineteenth century and beyond. At immediate. ‘On the first day of delivery the Godstone, Surrey, where successive members visitors attended, under no small degree of of the Hoare family served as Rector, an anxiety as to the result of their experiment. annual Soup Kitchen at the Clayton Arms It succeeded, however, to their utmost was known to be running as late as 1895. ‘The wish, the applicants paid the penny per soup is sold at 1d a quart, and it is of excellent quart with cheerfulness, and carried home quality. The cost is defrayed by subscription, a supply of food which they could not have Miss Hoare undertaking the management.’10

[ 104 ] [ 105 ] 41 Portrait of Henry Hoare jnr by unknown artist, c.1775 Of all the portraits lining the Partners’ dining room at Hoare’s Bank, Henry Hoare jnr’s stands out from the crowd. Younger than most of his fellow bankers he manages, despite his sober attire, to exude the good humour that earned him even during his lifetime the sobriquet ‘Fat & Jovial Hal’. Yet while everyone at the bank is aware of ‘Fat Harry’, few know anything about him.

Henry (Harry) Hoare was born at Barn he came of age, and a snuffbox set with an artist, she would continue to sketch and Elms, Surrey, on 12th June 1744. His father, enamelled portrait of his mother was the paint throughout her life. Harry therefore Alderman Richard Hoare, a Partner at sum total of his inheritance. Finally, Harry’s found himself being drawn ever deeper Hoare’s since 1731, would soon be elected Guardians were given the power ‘to raise and into her world, one that embraced theatre, Lord Mayor of London, while his mother, pay thereout such further sum as shall be opera and music as well as art. Generous, Elizabeth Rust, was the daughter of a thought necessary … for the taking of him outgoing, fashionable and wealthy, the wealthy wine merchant. The first glimpses into the said partnership when he shall be couple had no difficulty attracting a wide of Harry himself can be found in his father’s qualifyed for it and of a proper age for that circle of like minded friends: the Weddells of meticulous accounts. On 2nd July 1744 purpose.’ Newby Hall, who revelled in their collection Richard paid £21 to cover the expenses of his A year after his father’s death Harry of classical antiquities; the musical Harris wife’s lying-in; fifteen months later a further appears to have been withdrawn from family of Salisbury; Rev Dr John Warner, £5–3–0 went to Nurse Blunt ‘for Nursing, Westminster and placed with a succession a man renowned as much for his wit and Board’g Harry.’1 of private tutors. But by 1758 his education humour as for his intellect. And with the Harry’s early education mirrored that of had focused on preparing him for life as a return from Italy of Mary’s brother, artist his older half-brother Richard. Each spent gentleman banker. In December that year and writer Prince Hoare, in 1780, a year after three years at Rev John Williams’s school in he was enrolled at writing master Joseph the death of their only child, the couple threw Twickenham before entering Westminster Champion’s day school, where ‘Young themselves wholeheartedly into London’s School. Harry’s removal to Westminster in Gentlemen are … Taught … a Free Running artistic life, as Harry’s private accounts June 1752, however, was overshadowed by Hand for Business … Arithmetic, Book- illustrate: ‘Oct 1781 To Operas for Prince & loss. The death of his last surviving sister in keeping, or Merchants Accompts, and the Self, Coach hire etc £5–5–0 … May 1782 To January that year had been quickly followed Foreign Exchanges, etc to qualify Youth for Sundries Benefit Play Tickets £1–11–6 … May by that of his cousin (another Harry), heir Trades, the Counting House, Attorney’s 1784 To Pocket Acct incl operas – Handel – to the Stourhead estates, who fell victim Clerks, Public Offices, or to go Abroad.’2 plays, coach hire etc £28.’4 to smallpox during his Grand Tour. Small Over the next couple of years a number of By this time too Harry and Mary had wonder the younger Harry was promptly other men were employed to add a bit of acquired a new London home. The Adelphi, subjected to the time-consuming and polish, among them French master Monsieur a prestigious neo-classical development expensive process of inoculation. But greater Jeuslin, dancing master Monsieur Villeneuve behind the Strand, had been built in the sorrows were to follow. Days after his arrival and riding master Mr St Amour. It was early 1770s by the famed Adam brothers. For at Westminster news reached Harry of his during this time too that the first inkling of the Hoares, its river views, its glamour, its mother’s death at Barn Elms. Two years later Harry’s lifelong love of music and the arts proximity to the bank proved irresistible, as his father passed away aged just 44. emerged, in the form of flute lessons from did the prospect of living next door to one Richard Hoare’s will indicated how he Andreas Warman. of their closest friends, actor David Garrick. expected his sons’ futures to unfold. Two In June 1765 Harry’s life underwent a Once installed at 6 Adelphi Terrace they Guardians were appointed: Richard’s dramatic transformation. Firstly, he came of wasted no time making it their own. Leading brother, Henry (Magnificent), and age. Then, barely a fortnight later, he married furnishers Mayhew & Ince were called upon Christopher Arnold, whose connection with Mary, daughter of Bath-based artist William to conjure up a green and white bedroom, Hoare’s Bank as apprentice, clerk and Partner Hoare RA. Although unrelated, despite the complete with elaborately carved four-poster stretched back half a century. Both were shared surname, the two Hoare families bed, and a resplendent drawing room decked charged with overseeing the boys’ education were well known to one another; both out with silk fringed festoon curtains, pink ‘so that they may be fitted for and admitted Harry’s father and uncle had commissioned and white Bergère chairs and ‘A Frame richly into the business and co-partnership.’ But work from William Hoare in the past. The carv’d with Beads water Leaves Honeysuckles the will also highlighted the marked financial wedding and honeymoon were celebrated and other Ornaments, with an ornamental disparity between the two boys. Richard, the at Stourhead – amidst several others, Top of an Altar, a Sphinx on each Side and elder, inherited his father’s Barn Elms estate apparently, prompting Harry’s uncle to quip Swags of Husks the whole richly gilt in the and a substantial property belonging to his that ‘Brides & bridegrooms arrive here dayly best burnished Gold.’5 Simultaneously, the late mother. As the younger son, however, & grow up like mushrooms,’3 – after which couple began renting a country house at and one whose mother had brought a smaller the couple set up home in the Fleet Street Beckenham, Kent, from Harry’s brother fortune into the family, ten year old Harry’s banking house. Richard. prospects were less rosy. Eight thousand Although marriage had put an end to Considerable sums were spent on these pounds, to be invested in 4% Securities until Mary’s fledgling career as a professional two homes; a single French mirror cost £210,

[ 106 ] you are a Father to, & I make no Doubt your assistance, you shall be secur’d by the firm being so much confined to his home, a goodness will Induce you to make it yield of the house which I flatter myself you will place, you know for which he has not very the most Advantage when it comes into your think Satisfactory.’8 By 1777 over £46,600 of great taste. He now & then regales himself hands. My father probably will claim it, but the £57,500 entrusted to Harry was loaned with a game of Billiards at the Globe Inn, I desire you will not let him have it in his out to third parties. But so convoluted did with the Apothecary, or a Mr Thomson, Hands, as I believe he has not that Affection these financial dealings become, that after his who is wintering here, a very civil, quiet for my Children as I have myself.’7 death they took fully eight years to untangle. consumptive gentlemanlike young man … Of course, friends and family sometimes Harry’s deteriorating health had become This good man is likewise a great assistant, wished to borrow instead of deposit. In 1777 a matter of concern by the late 1770s, in the article of whist, in the evenings.’11 But David Garrick received £6,000 towards his prompting periodic visits to an assortment bereft of their friends and with winter closing investment in the British Cast Plate Glass of coastal or spa resorts: Bath, Tunbridge in time soon began to weigh heavily on both Co. Two years later Harry lent £6,000 Wells, Margate and Ramsgate. In July 1778 Harry and Mary. ‘Your poor Uncle is much on Bond to his uncle’s son-in-law Lord his friend Francis Griesdale expressed the to be pitied in this bad weather, & gloomy Ailesbury, who returned the full amount twin hopes that Harry’s latest sojourn ‘has solitude, deprived of all his wonted pastimes plus £109–6–0 interest a few months later. answer’d to your Wish and that Whisky Will in the gay London Town,’ wrote Mary in When it came to lending, however, it appears prove your best Physician. A Sedentary life January 1785. For herself, she claimed, ‘it Harry, unlike Hoare’s Bank, was not averse like yours,’ he went on, ‘requires Motion is not so bad, seeing as how I can always to accommodating merchants and other at Every Interval. In my trade [as a lace beguile the time by making bad drawings, or businessmen. Several large sums were lent merchant] I found two or three days in the sweetly soothing myself to slumber over a to tea merchants Layton Bagshaw & Co. for Country Enabl’d me to dispatch as much book.’ In truth, though, she was struggling to periods of up to three months, with Harry business in the remaining four, as I could cope both with their enforced exile and her taking a number of Tea Warrants as security. in six when deprived of that benefit.’9 A few husband’s inexorable decline. ‘Commend Colchester wine merchant Peter Desbrosses months later Griesdale suggested that ‘As us to thy fair Spouse, & to all, (if any there was another regular client, whose dealings you have frequent attacks supose [sic] you be) who may chance to inquire after us poor neatly sum up Harry’s entire enterprise. was to try Mr Hoare’s Regimen (We deal too prisoners; for Teingmouth [sic] is a prison ‘One part of my business in town will be much in foreign productions) let it be good Sir, although a pleasant one. Fail not to write, to pay you the interest on my Bonds which plain Roast & boild, and such Malt Liquor as when time & idleness give leave. The arrival became due at Lady day, & sh’d have been He drinks and no Wine. It is but trying for a of the Post is looked forward to with the sooner discharg’d … There is another matter Month, you will find such a diet will sustain greatest pleasure.’12 which I have long had in contemplation to and suport [sic] your Strength & Spirits.’10 By February any lingering optimism over mention to you … though I have not been From 1780, however, physicians, surgeons Harry’s fate was at an end. On the 19th a able to summon up sufficient resolution for and apothecaries were a constant presence in distraught Mary warned Henry Hugh, ‘He nearly three times as much as the annual £4,822 in 1782, fell far short of the sums his considerable. By 1777 Harry calculated that the purpose. I mean the inadequateness Harry’s life. A severe abscess laid him low in now from hour to hour, grows so much salary paid to a junior clerk at Messrs Hoare. fellow Partners were entitled to. Nor did his he held over £57,500 on behalf of others, of my Capital to the business of this house 1783, and although he recovered enough to more languid, that … I am apprehensive But they were by no means Harry’s only inheritance yield as much as he might have including his father-in-law William Hoare & the Share I have in it … Had the trade resume his hectic business and social rounds that a fatal period may be put to his Life luxuries. A carriage and post chaise, each hoped. Half of the £8,000 bequeathed to (£1,900), his uncle’s Stourhead steward continued as it was three years ago I believe for a time, by the spring of 1784 his health sooner than we could have thought possible, with its own liveried coachman and groom, him by his father was tied up in his marriage Francis Faugoin (£1,295) and friends John notwithstanding we now do more business had collapsed entirely. A long summer of therefore I think it my duty to say that if any were kept year round and open top phaetons settlement. Harry therefore set about doing Warner (£4,700) and Francis Griesdale I co’d have made it do; but since that time illness at Beckenham followed, after which of his Family have a wish to see him again, and vis à vis rented for the summer months. what he knew best: private banking. In (£6,667). For some, depositing money Wines have advanc’d more than £10 p’ Pipe he and Mary decamped to yet another seaside there is not a moment to lose … I cannot Racks of port, burgundy, hock, sherry, October 1771 he opened a Separate Account with Harry meant convenience; their cash … Besides this there is now scarcely a family resort: Teignmouth. write intelligently I believe, my head is so brandy and rum lined Harry’s cellar. Tailors, at Hoare’s for the administration of short- was earning a reliable income (4½-5%) we serve that does not take credit, & many of During their early days at Teignmouth, distracted, & my heart too. Adieu.’13 Henry hosiers, hatters, wigmakers and hairdressers term loans, annuities and bill discounting. while remaining accessible at short notice. them a very long one. The Innkeepers too are Devon, the outlook appeared bright. ‘The Hugh departed for Teignmouth immediately, ensured he always looked his best. Nor did he And from June 1775 both the ‘Principal due to For others it boiled down to trust. In 1774 so burthen’d with Soldiers, & since the war Gentleman in the Velvet Cap,’ Mary assured but probably arrived too late. Harry died neglect his other pastimes: billiards, fishing Sundries … who have at various times desired Captain Daniel Griffiths Hoare of the East the Road business is so fallen off that even Harry’s nephew Henry Hugh Hoare in the next day, aged just forty. His funeral and travelling. me to keep their Money and allow them India Company ship British King made over the first houses do not pay as they were us’d November 1784, ‘really gets better every day. took place at East Teignmouth a week later, Needless to say, this lifestyle did not Interest for ye same’ and the amounts lent a large sum assigned to him for safekeeping to do. Upon the whole I hardly know what His is not a case where the re-establishment leaving Mary to return to London alone. come cheap. So how was it funded? Harry were tracked in a series of notebooks.6 by his fellow officers as well as £1,000 from we sho’d have done but for the assistance of health can be speedy, but it is certain had been made a junior Partner in 1770, but While these activities were confined his late brother’s estate, ‘the Interest of which which from time to time you have been so that he recovers gradually, & has had no his share of the profits, which amounted mostly to family, friends and other close is due to my father during life, & then to be good as to afford us … if you shall afterwards bad symptoms of any kind. His greatest to nearly £1,600 p.a. in 1771 and peaked at connections, the sums involved were equally divided among my Children, Whom condescend to afford me some further complaining at present is ennui, from

[ 108 ] [ 109 ] 42 A Calculation of the Great Eclipse of the Sun by William Whiston, 1715 In 2015 Britain was plunged into darkness by a solar eclipse. Scientists deployed satellites to track its path, while live streaming enabled millions to watch the drama unfold via computer or smartphone. Three hundred years ago things were very different. But the solar eclipse of 1715, London’s first for 500 years, cast a similar spell over citizens and scientists alike.

The months leading up to the 1715 eclipse working within, Whiston’s predictions Lustre that it surprized the Beholders, and in saw the publication of numerous broadsheets differed somewhat from those of Halley. a Moment restored the Day.’4 devoted to the subject. Some offered reassur- He also shied away from incorporating a To Halley’s relief the weather that ance. The Black Day or A Prospect of Doomsday general map within his Calculation, claiming morning behaved impeccably. There was belied its cataclysmic sounding title by ‘the nature of the Construction does not little wind and no cloud to thwart his study, informing readers that an eclipse ‘proceeds admit of that Projection.’ Instead, Whiston although as soon as the eclipse ended the only from natural Causes; and is nothing else contended, ‘Such a Thing cannot be truly sun retreated behind thick cloud for the but the direct Interposition of the Body of represented any other way than by the rest of the day. Other observers reported the Moon between our Sight and the Sun.’1 Copernicus,’ a ‘Universal Astronomical mixed fortunes however. The astronomy But others played on fears that eclipses were Instrument’ of his own invention, available professors at England’s two universities harbingers of doom. Astrologers in particular in three sizes at four, five or six guineas.2 saw little of the eclipse – heavy clouds over delighted in enumerating the calamities that Like Whiston, Edmond Halley was fully the Oxford skyline deprived Dr Keill of all had followed previous eclipses: the execu- alive to the unrivalled opportunities for but its conclusion, while Rev Cotes’s view tion of Charles I (1649), the Great Plague research the eclipse afforded. In particular, at Cambridge was ‘opprest by too much (1665–66) and the Great Fire (1666). This Halley hoped to be able to measure the Company.’ As Halley had hoped, though, latest one, they warned, should be viewed as eclipse, which would enable him to predict accounts and calculations were forwarded to a judgement on the newly crowned George the trajectory and timing of future ones him from other parts of the country. Many he I, whose accession had reignited the Jacobite more accurately. It was with this object discarded, doubting their accuracy, but others threat. Above all, though, there was a desire in mind that he had produced the map so he judged reliable enough to be depended to educate and explain. Fleet Street publish- derided by Whiston. In an early example upon, not least those submitted by the Rector ers Nutting & Taylor issued an illustrated of crowdsourcing, copies of Halley’s map of Wanstead, Essex; Kettering based John explanation of the impending eclipse that were dispatched to enthusiasts across the Bridges, Treasurer of His Majesty’s Revenue made it ‘plain to the meanest Capacity.’ country accompanied by an earnest plea for of Excise; John Whiteside, Keeper of the Rival John Senex, meanwhile, published at them to observe what they could, ‘but more Ashmolean Museum, who had plumped least three accounts: one by mathematician specially to note the Time of Continuance for a spot close to Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Edmond Halley and two by William Whiston. of total Darkness,’ which Halley believed and bank customer Theophilus Shelton of William Whiston (1667–1752) read ‘required no other Instrument than a Pontefract. mathematics at Clare College, Cambridge, Pendulum Clock with which most Persons Whiston too emerged from the eclipse before entering the church. Soon after his are furnish’d.’3 with some measure of success. A series of popular it had to be repeated) advised readers his soon-to-be-produced Orrery ‘for the refracting and reflecting telescopes, coastal return to Cambridge in 1701 he succeeded Daybreak on 22nd April (3rd May by well-attended public lectures, for which he to blacken a piece of glass over a candle, Explication of the Motions of all the Planets surveys and exploding fireballs – attracted Isaac Newton as Lucasian Professor of today’s calendar) found Halley ensconced charged a guinea a head, along with proceeds ‘and then the eclipse may be viewed through and Comets,’ and an improved Copernicus, some support but little success, although the Mathematics and his future seemed assured. on top of the Royal Society’s headquarters from the sale of his Calculation, quickly it, either with the naked eye, or through a ‘for the easy Discovery of all Solar Eclipses last went a long way towards enlivening his But by 1715 Whiston’s circumstances had in Crane Court, Fleet Street, armed with followed by a second more elaborate edition, telescope.’6 whatsoever, from the Beginning of lectures. Audiences in 1742 were promised undergone a dramatic alteration. The loss a six-foot telescope, a quadrant and a and presents from various benefactors Telescopes were naturally the preserve Astronomy, till AD2000.’7 Then in the run ‘nine Lectures, concerning Navigation, and of his professorship in 1710, precipitated by pendulum clock. Clustered round him were earned him nearly £120, ‘Which in the of the wealthy, but at least one member of up to the 1737 eclipse Whiston delivered the Discovery of the Latitude and Longitude his outspoken religious views, was followed a number of other Society members as well Circumstances I then was, and have since the Hoare family was interested enough to fifteen weekly astronomical lectures at three at Sea … and his [Whiston’s] Method of by five years of legal wrangling as he sought as representatives from several European been, destitute of all Preferment, was a very take the plunge. A few months before the different Coffee Houses, charging attendees giving Signals to Ships at Sea, by Balls of Fire to defend himself from charges of heresy. scientific societies. At six minutes past seasonable and plentiful Supply: And, as I 1737 eclipse, Richard Hoare (d 1754) bought a shilling per lecture or a guinea for all fifteen. to be thrown up during those Lecture Nights, During this time Whiston had been reduced eight Halley detected a small dent on the reckoned, maintained me and my Family for a six guinea telescope from Fleet Street Between times he was equally busy, devising at Eight o’Clock, when the Air is clear, out of to scratching an uncertain living by lecturing, western most edge of the sun. Over the next a whole Year together.’5 instrument maker Thomas Wright. Ten new scientific instruments and maintaining a Demi-culverin, from Shooter’s Hill; with writing and teaching. The upcoming eclipse, hour he and his fellow watchers observed, To the joy of scientists and money-makers years later he purchased a second one from a gruelling schedule of teaching, writing the Way of observing them, and finding the therefore, was doubly attractive to him, calculated, noted and observed again as the alike, Britain’s skies would play host to Wright’s successor, Benjamin Cole. And the and publishing. The year 1729, for example, Ships Distance from them.’8 offering both the opportunity to study a rare sun crept behind the moon and a cloak of three more major eclipses during the first following summer, perhaps with the 1748 found him giving mathematics lessons at scientific event at first hand and a heaven sent dank darkness gradually smothered them. half of the eighteenth century: in 1724, 1737 eclipse in mind, he instructed Cole to send a Grigbsy’s Coffee House behind the Royal chance to bolster his finances. Finally, at 9:09:17, Halley pronounced and 1748. Each was preceded by a frenzy of three-foot telescope to a Mr Morris at Bath Exchange as well as weekly lectures on In his Calculation of the Great Eclipse, the eclipse complete. ‘This Moment was lecturing and publishing, increased sales of on his behalf. astronomy and periodic ones on his models Whiston described the eclipse’s construction determinable with great nicety, the Sun’s scientific instruments and glasses, smoked Whiston too made the most of these of the Tabernacle of Moses and the Temples before endeavouring to predict its path, light being extinguish’d at once; and yet or otherwise, and countless tips on how additional eclipses. That of 1724 prompted of Jerusalem. Nor did he neglect his other its timing and its extent. Unsurprisingly, more so was that of the Emersion, for the to observe the eclipse safely. For the 1748 another broadsheet, The Calculation of Solar great passion: the Longitude problem. given the scientific limits the two men were Sun came out in an Instant with so much eclipse The London Magazine (in an article so Eclipses Without Parallexes, which vaunted Whiston’s solutions – dipping needles,

[ 110 ] [ 111 ] 43 Chelsea Election: The Final Contest, 1868 Drama and controversy are key ingredients in any election campaign. The contest held at Chelsea in 1868 was particularly bitter, however. And right in the thick of it was Sir Henry Ainslie Hoare Bt.

The 1868 general election pitted Disraeli presenting similar manifestos – both spite of the lack of wealth or of social rank, (Conservative) against Gladstone (Liberal) advocated the disestablishment of the a Howell may be as good as a Rothschild.’2 for the first time. But the passing of the Irish Church, a further extension of the By September, however, there was mounting Reform Act a year earlier meant it took franchise, the introduction of secret concern over the sheer number of candidates place within a dramatically altered political ballots, compulsory education and reduced coming forward. ‘In the metropolis, Liberal landscape. For not only had the electorate taxation – the two men chose not to work divisions are giving the Tories a chance they doubled from one to two million, but several together. Instead, each organised his own would not otherwise have,’ remarked the new borough constituencies had been local committees and canvassed the borough Leicester Chronicle. ‘There are four Liberals created, including two in London: Hackney, independently, a risky strategy thought for Hackney … Four Liberals also stand for carved out of Tower Hamlets, and Chelsea, some, should a strong Conservative be the Tower Hamlets, where Mr Coope has which encompassed Kensal Green, Fulham, prevailed upon to enter the race. During the unfurled the Disraeli flag … For the new Kensington and Hammersmith besides months that followed various Tories were borough of Chelsea, where Dr Russell and Chelsea itself. Under the terms of the Act, mooted and one, Lord Ranelagh, did indeed another Conservative stand, Sir H. Hoare has Chelsea would return two MPs and each stand for a time. By August 1868, however, been almost thrust aside to make way for Mr elector was entitled to two votes. So attractive Ranelagh had been replaced by not one but Odger, a real working man, who may, perhaps, was Chelsea, with its prime location and huge two new Conservative candidates: Charles be carried with Mr Dilke.’3 electorate, that even before the Reform Bill Freake, a prominent local architect/builder Within twenty-four hours of the Chelsea passed into law prospective candidates had responsible for the construction of Eaton Working Men’s Electoral Association begun making their presence felt. But first to and Onslow Squares, and William Howard meeting a requisition urging Odger to formally throw their hats into the ring were Russell, The Times correspondent famed for officially declare his candidature had attracted two Liberals: 24 year old Charles Wentworth his coverage of the Crimean War a decade nearly 1,000 signatures. At the same time Dilke, Chelsea born and bred, son of a sitting earlier. The stage was set for a straight fight the Association’s secretary wrote to Henry MP; and 43 year old Sir Henry Ainslie Hoare between the four men, with the two Liberals asking him to withdraw, ‘so as not to divide Bt, owner of the extensive Stourhead estate, seemingly having the upper hand. Until, that the Liberal interest in the borough.’ Henry’s Wiltshire. was, Mr Odger entered the fray. reply was unequivocal. He would do no such sufficient funds had been raised to meet West London Observer one man dismissed lead, everyone conceded, was unassailable. Chelsea was not Henry’s first tilt at a George Odger. Shoemaker, Reform thing. After all, how could he, a candidate of both Odger’s election expenses and the Henry’s claim to be the representative of the But if both Odger and Henry were allowed parliamentary seat. In 1865 he had been League lecturer, secretary of the London such long standing, be more responsible for cost of supporting him whilst he sat in the working man as ‘bosh’. His ability to fund to continue the resulting split would in all elected MP for New Windsor, only to be Trades Council, chairman of the Manhood dividing the Liberal vote than one put forward House of Commons (MPs were unpaid until a lavish campaign was a source of further probability gift the second seat to the Tories. unseated on petition after his agent was Suffrage & Vote by Ballot Association, at the eleventh hour? Moreover, as only 1911), enabling him to enter Parliament resentment, and a nagging whiff of scandal After some frantic manoeuvring, therefore, convicted of bribery. Undeterred, Henry president of the newly formed International 164 votes had been cast at the Association’s ‘untainted with the curse of bribery.’ The surrounding his expulsion from Windsor it was agreed that six men, three nominated launched his bid for Chelsea a full fifteen Working Men’s Association and, after a meeting, he failed to see how those few could Association’s secretary then had his say. ‘Sir dogged his every step. Odger too though by Henry and three by Odger, would meet months before the 1868 election. At a special meeting at the Hereford Arms, be said to speak for all the working men of Henry Hoare,’ he sneered, ‘was more fitting had his detractors. His entering the field so privately in an attempt to decide which of the series of electors’ meetings in July 1867 he Gloucester Road, on 21st August 1868, the the borough. Even if they did ‘there are other to represent a lady’s drawing room than such late in the day was widely condemned and it two should retire. If this failed the matter explained that ‘the reason why he presented preferred Liberal candidate (with Dilke) most numerous and influential grades of a place as Chelsea. Whenever he ventured was rumoured that the small shopkeepers of would be referred to three independent himself before them – not being a resident of the Chelsea Working Men’s Electoral Electors to whom must be conceded at least to address them, Sir Henry Hoare took care Chelsea were prepared to let in a Tory rather arbitrators. Both Henry and Odger agreed among them – was because he believed the Association. Not that Odger was unique. an equal voice in the selection of Candidates.’4 to have in his hand a scented handkerchief, than bring themselves to vote for a working to abide by these terms. Moreover, each borough to be a Liberal one, and that the ‘Working man’ candidates were springing Thus the stage was set for a bitter and which he kept to his nose lest the breath of man. Disquiet even lurked within the ranks promised that the loser would publicly opinions which he held on all the public up across London and beyond, backed potentially destructive battle. the men of Chelsea should poison him.’5 of the Chelsea Working Men’s Electoral endorse his erstwhile rival. questions of the day would meet with by local groups or the Reform League, Odger’s supporters wasted no time firing Henry himself, meanwhile, hosted meetings Association; ‘as the time had not yet come Predictably, the case did pass to the their entire and unanimous support … He established three years earlier to campaign their first shot across Henry’s bows. During across the borough – at the Earl Craven in to send a working man into Parliament … arbitrators, who handed their decision down highly eulogised Mr Gladstone, whom he for universal male suffrage. In Tower another meeting at the Hereford Arms, Westbourne Park, the West-end Lecture there was no use in putting up Mr Odger as a in a terse statement on 31st October. ‘Having characterised as the greatest financier of Hamlets electors ‘packed as closely as a convened in the wake of Henry’s refusal Hall, Hammersmith, and the appropriately Chelsea “Aunt Sally” for the Conservatives to regard to all the circumstances of this case, the day, and concluded by saying that if they bundle of firewood’ drank in the words to back down, the Electoral Association’s named Gladstone Tavern on Brompton Road knock down.’6 Neither Henry nor Odger was we are of opinion that it is desirable for the returned him he would do battle in the course of Reform League president Edmond chairman extolled their man’s virtues at great – and urged his canvassers to leave no stone prepared to retreat though. And as polling Liberal cause that Mr Odger should retire of progress, and would continue a zealous Beales, while at Aylesbury former bricklayer length. Odger was a good debater and a skilled unturned in their quest for votes. day drew ever closer the hostility between from his candidature in favour of Sir Henry and consistent advocate of all those measures George Howell lined up alongside banker politician, one who ‘When the question of The battle at Chelsea raged for two the two factions reached such a pitch that Hoare.’ On balance they believed Henry to which had made England great. (Loud and sitting Liberal MP Nathan Meyer trades unions came before Parliament … months. Henry attracted substantial support, the police, fearing violence, began attending have the larger following. As agreed, Odger cheers).’1 Rothschild. ‘It is said that the millionaire was best qualified to give advice; for neither particularly amongst the wealthier classes their meetings. duly joined Dilke and Henry at their next For the next year Henry and Dilke had fights rather shy of his companion, but on Government nor members knew more of that and the extensive publican interest, but Less than three weeks before the election public meeting where, amidst loud cheers the field much to themselves. But despite a little closer acquaintance he will find, in subject than a cow did of music.’ Furthermore, others distrusted him. In a letter to the the deadlock finally was broken. Dilke’s and cries of ‘You should have gone to the

[ 112 ] [ 113 ] 44 Subscription for the Relief of the Sufferers at Waterloo, 1815 poll,’ he urged those present to rally round After such rousing words, the two afternoon they were greeted with deafening Sunday 18th June 1815 looms large in British history. For the brutal battle waged across the mud-choked fields of Flanders both remaining candidates. Despite this Conservative candidates faced an uphill cheers. Official confirmation came the that day brought the curtain down on over twenty years of conflict. Until the final moments, however, it was unclear which appeal, however, Odger’s retirement caused struggle. Freake, drowned out by jeers and following day. Needless to say, Dilke headed considerable bitterness. Odger was forced hooting, retired unheard. Russell too was the poll, with 7,374 votes. Henry was second, side would prevail: Napoleon’s Grande Armée or the Duke of Wellington’s Allied force. ‘The nearest run thing you ever saw to refute allegations he had been paid to given short shrift, but hung on long enough to on 7,183, leaving Russell (4,177) and Freake in your life,’ would be Wellington’s verdict on the Battle of Waterloo. withdraw, while Henry’s next few public berate the crowd for preferring ‘a wandering (3,929) trailing in his wake. Nationally too the appearances were greeted with cheers, groans baronet from Bath to a man [Freake] who Liberals triumphed, sweeping to power with a and even outright uproar. has lived among you, and who has so largely majority of over 100. Crisis over, Henry and Dilke were free identified himself with your interests.’ Did Over the next few years many of the reforms to set about overcoming their Conservative they truly wish to be represented by someone Henry and his fellow Liberals had promised Wellington’s triumph was greeted with the have much money at his own disposal, he is should be seen as a separate venture aimed opponents. On 13th November they appeared who had never shown any commitment to on the campaign trail were enacted, among customary signs of relief and joy: bonfires, encamped in the Bois de Bouloigne [sic].’4 at those who had fought at Waterloo. Five together at the Free Tabernacle, Notting reform before? By someone who had been them compulsory education, the introduction feasts, pealing bells and illuminations. But Five days after the battle Parliament thousand pounds was pledged that afternoon Dale, a former Odger stronghold, where turned out of the House of Commons for of secret ballots and the disestablishment of behind these celebrations lurked feelings of recorded a vote of thanks to the Duke of and, confident of success, the Committee Henry spelled out the ‘articles of his political bribery? the Irish Church. But the general election of intense grief and loss. Upwards of 50,000 Wellington and his army. ‘They have done ordered that accounts be opened at all major faith’ to an audience of several hundred Once everyone had had, or had attempted 1874 once again saw three Liberal candidates lay dead on the battlefield, including 15,000 their duty, and merited every mark of City banks, including Hoare’s, without delay. before fielding a number of questions. Asked to have, his say, the Returning Officer chasing two Chelsea seats and this time the British troops. And strewn amongst them gratitude; but adequate thanks they cannot The Waterloo Subscription account at if he was connected with the brewing firm of confirmed that polling would take place third man, G. Middleton Kiell, a member of were thousands of wounded men – shredded receive, because their services are above all Hoare’s Bank was opened on 29th July, Hoare & Co., he replied ‘I never was, I am next day between 8am and 4pm. All through the London School Board, did not back down. by grapeshot, cut down by sword blades, praise, and adequate rewards it is not in the a day after the aforementioned meeting. not, and I am sure I never shall be. (Cheers).’ that long day, messengers darted back The resulting split cost the Liberals dear and it trampled by horses – many of whom were country’s power to bestow.’5 Indeed, how Predictably, the first donation (£210) Was he Henry Hoare the banker? ‘I wish I and forth between the borough’s thirteen was Henry who paid the price, losing to the sole destined to remain there in searing agony for could the nation possibly thank those who came from the bank itself. And during the was. (Great laughter).’ Did he employ paid polling stations and the Liberals’ temporary Conservative candidate by less than 500 votes. days. ‘Carnage’ was the word used time and had fought at Waterloo? Parliament led next year nearly £5,000 was paid into the canvassers? ‘Not even in Chelsea.’7 headquarters at the Gladstone Tavern, where Despite several attempts, Henry was again by those who witnessed the scene. the way, awarding Wellington £200,000. account. Some donors had obvious military Eventually, at noon on 17th November, an updated state of the poll was exhibited never elected to Parliament again. Over Somewhat surprisingly, 18th June 1815 And public opinion swiftly followed suit. connections. The Earl of St Vincent, soon the Returning Officer for Chelsea borough hourly. Before many hours had passed, time he grew increasingly disenchanted with slipped by unrecorded at Hoare’s Bank. There Money should form the basis of the nation’s to be appointed Admiral of the Fleet, gave stepped onto the hustings opposite the South however, it became clear that the Liberals Gladstone, so much so that by the 1880s he is no mention of the battle in the Partners’ gratitude. Money to protect those left £500, several regiments donated one or Kensington Museum (V&A) to read out the had carried the day. Each update was met had not only defected to the Conservatives, a memoranda book. Indeed, references widowed, fatherless, orphaned or disabled two days’ pay and an officer’s widow, ‘ZZ’, nominations. After expressing his hope that with approving roars from the crowds that move he later described as the strangest event to the war in general are scant, confined against any future suffering. contributed £10. Others, including publisher the electors, 5,000 of whom were swirling thronged the surrounding streets. And of his existence, but had become one of the mostly to concerns over currency shortages It was with this in mind that a group Joseph Butterworth Esq (£21) and the about beneath him, would show dignity and when Henry and Dilke appeared at an upper Primrose League’s earliest members and most and the ceaseless requests for loans. By of men, mostly merchants, bankers and Earl of Dartmouth (£105), were seasoned restraint – advice ‘loudly cheered and soon floor window to hail their victory late that popular speakers. spring 1815, however, hints of what was to brokers, gathered at the City of London subscribers. But alongside them sat dozens forgotten’ – he gave way to the proposers, come had begun creeping into the bank’s Tavern on 28th June to discuss the merits of random donations: ‘By a Collection at seconders and finally the four candidates. correspondence. Sir Thomas Gooch Bt’s of a public subscription. One of the prime Hyde Abbey School, Winchester per Rev Chas As expected, Dilke received an enthusiastic letter of 2nd April was typical. ‘I have receiv’d movers behind the scheme, merchant banker Richards’ (£10–10–0); ‘By a Free Will Offering reception, but Henry found himself a letter from my Son in the Coldstream Alexander Baring, opened proceedings from the Dinner Booth at Harlow Bush Fair’ confronted by a waving mass of walking Guards at Brussels informing me that upon by stating his belief that the provision of (£5–13–0); ‘By A Lady, a most sincere Friend sticks and umbrellas spiked with cakes of being order’d to march he has been oblig’d meaningful assistance to all who might to Loyalty to the good old King, the Army and Windsor soap. Cries of ‘Go back to Windsor,’ to get 80£ from the Paymaster for which he require it would strain the government’s the Navy’ (£1–1–0). ‘We don’t want any bribery here,’ and ‘What has given a draft on you payable the 5th of already beleaguered finances beyond The City of London subscription raised have you done with Odger?’ mingled with this month.’1 A month later the Bishop of endurance. Private benevolence must £62,640–10–10 in its first week. A month the more welcome cheers. Undeterred, Bangor wrote in a similar vein. ‘My Son, Capt therefore play its part. West India planter later the total exceeded £107,000. This Henry embarked on a stirring speech. ‘At no Majendie, will tell you, this morning, that he John Fuller agreed. ‘[T]here had never been included several large donations, notably period,’ he declared, ‘had such momentous is proceeding to see the Armies in Belgium; a moment when the British public were £10,000 in 3% Consols from the Society issues been submitted to the country as now, and that he may not be crippled for want of so strongly called upon to come forward of Lloyd’s and £5,000 from the Bank of and the electors of Chelsea had to decide necessary supplies, I wish Messrs Hoare in this way. He hoped Gentlemen would England. But the vast majority amounted to once for all which party they would follow.’ would supply him, or answer his Drafts, on bring their money there, and leave off no more than a few pounds. They came too Warning that the battle for electoral reform my account, to any Sum, not exceeding One buying baubles and nonsense, and a pack from every part of society: men and women, was not yet over, he invoked memories of the Hundred Pounds.’2 of fooleries, at the sales and exhibitions of young and old, rich and poor. Children recent past. ‘There were battles called “the The battle’s aftermath provoked a similar Bond Street.’6 By the end of the meeting surrendered their pocket money, servants soldiers’ battles”, because won by soldiers. flurry of letters. Gooch reported that his three treasurers had been appointed – John added their shillings to family donations, Such was Inkerman; and he hoped the son ‘had been oblig’d to draw upon me in Julius Angerstein, Chairman of the Society widows proffered their proverbial mites. An electoral soldiers were on the eve of a political consequence of the loss of a Horse & part of Lloyd’s; William Mellish MP, Governor of official Thanksgiving Prayer, meanwhile, read Inkerman no less glorious, as it was no less of his Baggage in the late Engagement. Be the Bank of England; and Alexander Baring out from the pulpit of every church, regardless “the soldiers’ battle”. (Cheers) … If he and so good therefore as to answer his draft.’3 – along with a secretary and a Committee of of denomination, inspired a flood of locally his Liberal colleague were sent to parliament, John Warren’s Ensign son was also in need of forty-six, including bank Partner William organised collections. Among the many paid they would go there to support measures to funds. ‘I shall feel greatly obliged if you will Henry Hoare. Most had experience of in via Hoare’s were offerings from Porlock, enable the working man to vote according have the goodness to write to him or to some similar schemes, notably the Patriotic Fund, Somerset (£2); Spalding, Bedfordshire to the dictates of his own conscience – agent you have at Paris to accommodate him established in 1803 to assist and reward (£11–15–6); Hawarden, Flintshire (£49–12–6) (Cheers) – for they would give him the ballot. with money occasionally … As he is not yet soldiers on active service. All were careful, and the Wesleyan Chapels of London’s East (Renewed cheers).’8 Sir Henry Ainslie Hoare 5th Bt, c.1865 seventeen years of age I do not wish him to however, to emphasise that this new fund & West Circuits (£116–5–6).

[ 114 ] [ 115 ] The City of London’s example was Greys, ‘whose bravery was conspicuous in exactly was the money going, people remained unmarried, besides £4 p.a. for each those discharged on account of wounds. Nor Furthermore, any attempt to sell, mortgage echoed throughout Britain. Northampton’s the memorable victory of Waterloo, where had begun to ask. Was it reaching those child under seven. Children aged between were the families of Britain’s Allies forgotten; or pawn these benefits would result in instant residents voted overwhelmingly to he took a French eagle, and killed … three in need? And why had the Committee seven and fourteen were granted Fixed Term £62,000 was remitted to Amsterdam, Berlin, forfeiture. ‘co-operate with the City of London of Bonaparte’s guard, who made desperate deemed it necessary to engage numerous Annuities, payable to nominated trustees, Hanover and Brunswick for their relief. Although the Waterloo Subscription Committee, in their very laudable Intention efforts to regain their standard.’ Calls salaried staff and a handsome Cornhill usually a local clergyman or magistrate. At By the summer of 1817 the Committee was account at Hoare’s Bank closed in January for the special Relief and Benefit of the for Ewart to respond went unrewarded, office? The Committee therefore seized the fourteen these Annuities would cease, but able to report significant progress. A total of 1817, the Committee appointed to administer Families of the brave Men killed, and of the however. After a short pause the Lord opportunity presented by the anniversary each child would be presented with £10 and £168,051–9–11 had been paid out, including the overall Fund was unable to extricate wounded Sufferers.’7 And at a packed public Provost got to his feet. Mr Ewart, he said, to publicly declare their plans. After much the promise of an additional £50 at the age of £11,783 in Life Annuities and £9,209 in itself so quickly. Nearly £500,000 had been meeting in Edinburgh novelist Walter Scott was honoured by this mark of the company’s investigation and deliberation, they twenty-one (or earlier if a girl married, provided Fixed Term Annuities.11 In particular, the subscribed by 1817, of which £338,000 was proclaimed his faith in the inhabitants of approbation, but would much rather fight announced, it had been decided to issue the marriage was sanctioned by her mother Committee expressed satisfaction at the invested in government securities. Not only that city, ‘who … never backward to calls the battle again than make a speech. As if inalienable Annuities, which would not only and/or trustee). Larger sums were allocated to children’s allowances, believing that any did this require active management, but the of charity, would cheerfully contribute all this was not enough, the day’s festivities make the best use of the money raised, but officers’ widows and children according to rank. money invested in their care and education decision to issue Life Annuities had created to alleviate the distress occasioned by concluded with a ball, where ‘Mr Gow … set protect widows from fraud, children from Orphans received ‘allowances proportionate would go a long way towards ensuring they an onerous, decades-long commitment. so glorious a cause.’8 Nor was this faith the feet in motion, with a new country dance, neglect and the spendthrift from their own to their rank and to the circumstances of became useful, upstanding members of Some relief came in 1819, when new misplaced. Mindful of the heavy price paid by called “Waterloo”.’9 improvidence. their aggravated calamity.’10 In addition, Life society. But as an extra precaution recipients legislation empowered the National Debt Scottish regiments at Waterloo, Edinburgh Such revelry, while enjoyable, did little The first Annuities were issued in Annuities were awarded to disabled privates and were warned that the payment of Annuities Commissioners to accept Annuities from raised £18,000 in a matter of weeks. Not to quell mounting disquiet about the Fund, autumn 1816. Privates’ widows received non-commissioned officers, most of whom had and coming of age presents depended the Waterloo Fund. Nearly twenty years that the Subscription’s contributions were which by this time topped £290,000. Where £10 Life Annuities for as long as they lost limbs or been blinded, and lump sums to on their continued good behaviour. later, however, the Committee’s remaining confined to Britain. Thousands of pounds members were forced to lobby Parliament poured in from the farthest reaches of for permission to end their connection with the empire and beyond: Calcutta, Bengal, the Fund, which by then stood at nearly Ceylon, Canada, St Petersburg, Java and £1m. As their petition pointed out, they had Montserrat. during the last twenty-two years, without By December 1815 the City of London remuneration, administered over 1,000 Life Committee had started dispensing small Annuities and nearly as many Fixed Term sums to cases of particular distress. But its Annuities, besides dispensing 6,000 lump members were anxious to ensure that the sums. But ‘The Committee is not now so Fund would in the long run benefit those numerously attended as it was at an earlier who needed it most. To that end, therefore, period; many of its members have been they drew up a series of forms aimed at removed by death, and those who survive discovering as much as possible about the feel anxious to complete the remaining killed and wounded: name, age, rank, place arrangements, and to close the accounts of of birth, address and dependents. Copies of the trust … for without some arrangement these forms were then forwarded both to the of this nature they do not see how they can commanding officer of each regiment that provide for the contingencies of the next 40 had fought at Waterloo and to the minister years.’12 Much to their relief the government of every parish in the country. Such an agreed. Management of the remaining 700 approach, reasoned the Committee, would Annuities formally passed to the National afford them the best chance of reaching Debt Office in 1838. anyone in need, regardless of how far away they lived or how literate they might be. Given this painstaking diligence, progress inevitably was slow. A year after the battle there was still no definite scheme in place. The anniversary itself, however, was commemorated with gusto. At Edinburgh a parade of laurel-trimmed, highland- bonneted schoolboys preceded a dinner for 400 men, during which toast upon toast was proposed and drunk, each to an appropriate musical accompaniment: The Contributors to the Waterloo Fund (Tune: “Jenny’s Bawbee”); The Rt Hon William Dundas, MP for Edinburgh (Tune: “Willy was a Wanton Wag”); Ships, Colonies & Commerce (Tune: “Money in Both Pockets”). The most popular toast though was proposed by Walter Scott. Hoisting his wine-filled bumper aloft, Scott saluted Ensign Ewart of the Scots

[ 116 ] [ 117 ] 45 Receipt note signed by Richard Hoare, 1671 In June 1665 yeoman Henry Hoare of St Botolph without Aldersgate apprenticed his only son, fifteen year old Richard, to goldsmith Richard Moore. Little did he realise that he was laying the foundations of a family business that still thrives today.

With hindsight, June 1665 was not the they could lay their hands on. Dr J.M.’s of London. Cheapside is all in a light fire in most propitious time for a boy to take such pearled lozenges, perhaps, ‘an admirable a few hours’ time. Many fires meeting there, a significant step towards adulthood. The and experimented Preservative from the as in the centre, from Soper Lane, Bow Lane, outbreak of the Second Anglo-Dutch War Plague, and other contagious diseases: Bread Street, Friday Street, and Old Change, three months earlier had disrupted trade and famous against Consumptions, Coughs, and the fire comes up almost together, and breaks sent the cost of living soaring. But as Richard ill Lungs, Palsies, Convulsions, Lethargy, furiously into Broad Street; and most of and Henry threaded their way through the Passions of the heart, Fits of the Mother etc.’ that side of the way was together in flames, a mazy medieval streets to Moore’s shop in Or an Urum Volant dispensed by stationer dreadful spectacle!’2 Star Court near Cheapside their spirits Simon Gape, ‘Being the true Philosophical Within days, many of those affected had would have been high. For news had reached preparation of Potable Gold, distilled by re-established themselves in temporary London of the English fleet’s victory at the means of a pure Christaline and innocent quarters. The London Gazette reported that the Battle of Lowestoft. ‘A great[er] victory never Spirit, and known consequently to be the King’s goldsmith/banker Sir Robert Viner known in the world,’ gloated hitherto hard- Universal Medicine and Antidote against all ‘is now settled in the Affrican house near the pressed Navy Board official, Samuel Pepys. Pestilential and Contagious Distempers … middle of Broad Street … having by the good That night pealing bells, crackling bonfires [£]5 the Ounce.’1 providence of God been entirely preserved by and impromptu street parties pervaded every Up to 100,000 of London’s estimated a timely and safe removal of all his concerns, corner of London. Next day a still jubilant 460,000 population fell victim to the plague. almost twenty-four hours before the furious Pepys treated himself to a silk suit ‘for joy of But by December 1665 the worst was over Fire entered Lumbard [sic] Street.’ Others, the good newes we have lately had of our vic- and London slowly began to recover. Just ‘being likewise preserved in their Estates, do tory,’ before hosting a venison pasty supper months later, however, disaster struck again. intend to settle in a few daies in or neer Broad party – ‘and very merry we were.’ In the early hours of 2nd September 1666 a Street.’3 London’s marine underwriters, in 1698, was available only to the sons of market. Languages too were becoming faithful Apprentice, he shall justly and truly This joy was short-lived, for a much more fire broke out on Pudding Lane. Before long meanwhile, congregated in a room by Cornhill existing freemen. But the commonest route more desirable. When it came to educating behave himself unto his said Master, and potent foe lurked close at hand: plague. it was sweeping across the City, devouring for a time before removing to Lloyd’s Coffee was via apprenticeship. Securing a suitable his own sons in the 1690s and early 1700s all his, during the said term.’ For his part, Reports of its advance had been swirling everything that lay in its path: houses, Shop. apprenticeship was no easy matter, however. Richard made sure they could all read and Moore would have assumed responsibility about for months. But by 10th June they churches, shops, Thames-side warehouses It was amidst this tumult – war, plague In addition to paying a substantial premium, write French and even placed several of them for Richard’s maintenance, behaviour and could no longer be ignored. At supper that crammed with goods. A helpless Pepys made and fire – that Richard Hoare served out the Henry Hoare must have relied on social in European merchant houses for extended welfare. evening Pepys heard not only that the plague his way to Tower Hill, ‘and there I did see the first year of his apprenticeship. Exactly why or business contacts to obtain his son’s periods with the specific aim of learning Although initially apprenticed to Moore, had breached the City gates, but that it had houses at the end of [London] bridge all on he was apprenticed to a goldsmith is unclear. berth with Richard Moore. The long-term Dutch, German, Italian or Portuguese. at some point Richard was turned over to struck down his friend and neighbour, Dr fire … and an infinite great fire on this and Perhaps he showed some natural aptitude advantages though promised to outweigh any Richard was apprenticed to Moore for another goldsmith. When and why is not Burnett, ‘which in both points troubles me the other side … [The] River full of lighters for drawing or design. His father, though, initial trouble or expense. the standard term of seven years, during clear. During the confusion that followed the mightily.’ He retired to bed ‘troubled at the and boats taking in goods, and good goods must have been keenly aware that as a trained Richard’s education prior to his which time, in theory at least, he would have Great Fire perhaps? Or in 1669, when Moore sicknesse, and my head filled also with other swimming in the water.’ Over the next five goldsmith/banker Richard’s future would apprenticeship would have been reasonably enjoyed little privacy or freedom. A standard took in his own son as an apprentice? What business enough, and particularly how to days a third of London was destroyed and be one brimming with opportunities. For comprehensive. In The London Tradesman apprenticeship indenture form published in is certain is that by the time the receipt note put my things and estate in order, in case it 100,000 people left homeless. not only was the goldsmith’s trade a lucrative (1747), Robert Campbell suggested that George Rose’s Almanack for 1665 gives some shown here was issued in June 1671 Richard should please God to call me away.’ For London’s growing band of goldsmith/ one, but the rapid expansion of trade and the while ‘a plain English Education will suffice’, idea of what would have been expected of had a new master, Robert Tempest, who had For months fear and uncertainty held bankers, already stretched by the financial emergence of an increasingly sophisticated a goldsmith ideally should also ‘be a good him. ‘The said Apprentice his said Master been trading at the sign of the Golden Bottle, London in its grip. Day after day red crosses demands of the Dutch War, these twin financial system to support it together held designer and have good Taste in Sculpture. well and faithfully shall serve, his secrets and Cheapside, since 1655. appeared on the doorways of infected catastrophes of plague and fire wreaked out the lure of even greater riches. And as He must be conversant in Alchemy; that is in commandments (being honest and lawful) London’s goldsmithing trade had been households. Night after night carts trundled havoc. Borrowers defaulted, credit dried up a freeman Richard would enjoy numerous all the Properties of metals … He must know he shall willingly every where keep and do centred on Cheapside for centuries. The first the dead away for hasty burial. By September and the appetite for luxury goods evaporated. privileges, including trading rights throughout the various Ways of Essaying Metals, and … the goods of his said Master he shall not Goldsmiths’ Hall was erected on Foster Lane 1665 over 7,000 Londoners a week were Cheapside, the goldsmiths’ traditional the City and beyond and an entitlement to distinguishing the real from the fictitious … inordinately wast[e] nor lend, fornication in the 1330s, while in the late 1400s a cluster dying. One of the worst affected areas was heartland and normally one of London’s vote (even stand) in local and parliamentary he ought to be possessed of a solid Judgement he shall not commit, matrimony he shall of grand shops known as Goldsmiths’ Row Henry Hoare’s parish, densely populated busiest streets, reputedly became so quiet at elections. as well as a mechanical Hand and Head.’ For not contract, Taverns or Alehouses he shall sprang up near Bread Street. But during the St Botolph without Aldersgate; the largest the height of the plague that grass began to Admittance to a livery company in the an aspiring banker, however, the increasing not haunt or frequent; at Cards, Dice, seventeenth century the area began to lose of its several plague pits would gobble up grow on it. And although most goldsmiths seventeenth century was gained in one complexity and global spread of finance or any other unlawful games he shall not its lustre as younger goldsmiths, put off by over 1,000 bodies in under two weeks. had removed their stock to the safety of of three ways: redemption, patrimony or called for more than a good eye, nimble play; with his own goods, or the goods of the area’s high rents, ventured further west to Small wonder anyone who could afford to the Tower in advance of the Great Fire, the apprenticeship. The first was obtained by fingers and innate shrewdness. Exemplary any other he shall not merchandize; from Holborn, Fleet Street and the Strand. By the flee did so. Those forced to remain lay low, inferno destroyed their homes and shops. payment of a fee or conferred as a gift. The handwriting and a firm grasp of figures were his service aforesaid he shall not depart, 1630s Charles I was denouncing Goldsmiths’ shunning their friends and putting their faith One eyewitness reported that by the third second, adopted by Richard’s son Henry imperative, along with a comprehensive nor absent himself with out the licence of Row as ‘a great Eye-sore’ infested by ‘meaner in whatever quack cures or preservatives day ‘the fire [was] burning up the very bowels when he entered the Goldsmiths’ Company understanding of the fast-evolving financial his Master: but in all things, as a good and trades’ – drapers, milliners, vintners and their

[ 118 ] [ 119 ] 46 Log book for Yacht Surprise, 1878 In 1878 bank Partner Charles Arthur Richard Hoare invited friends and family for a cruise on board his new yacht, the Surprise. For his guests this trip was nothing more than a pleasant interlude. But for Charles it marked the start of a lifelong passion.

like. In a bid to reverse this trend he forbade – acted as trustees for Richard and Susanna’s Just as 1665 had been a difficult year to goldsmiths from trading beyond Cheapside. marriage settlement. Richard’s first master, embark on his apprenticeship, so 1672 was a ‘[T]hose who keep Shops scatteringly in Richard Moore, witnessed Tempest’s challenging one for Richard to launch his career other parts of the City, should have Shops will, while one of Tempest’s relatives was as a fully-fledged goldsmith/banker. Charles procur’d for them in Cheapside, or Lombard apprenticed to Richard. Susanna, though, II’s decision to issue a stop on the Exchequer Street … and … the Lord Mayor should take was a shrewd choice for an ambitious young had plunged many goldsmiths into uncertainty, care, that Shops be provided for them at man. Her father, John Austen, a former even bankruptcy. Conversely, though, London moderate and indifferent rates.’4 It had little Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company, had was growing fast, trade was expanding and effect however. The goldsmiths continued made enough money to fund the purchase of wealth was increasing, all of which fuelled the their westward march and Cheapside never a country estate at Hornchurch, Essex, and demand for luxury goods and financial services. recaptured its former glory. settle each of his six children comfortably Rather than strike out on his own, however, Despite this dilution, Cheapside in the in life. Susanna’s share included £500 cash Richard chose to remain with his former master 1660s still bristled with goldsmiths’ shops. and seven Cheapside properties near Foster Robert Tempest. At some point after Tempest’s An inventory drawn up in 1675 offers a Lane. Not that Richard lacked means of death in late 1673, perhaps in 1675 when the tantalising glimpse of the Golden Bottle in his own. His father’s death left him heir above mentioned inventory was drawn up, Richard’s day. Although the building itself to a substantial freehold property in Swan Richard assumed control of the business. A few was new, rebuilt by Tempest in 1668–69, its Alley, St Giles without Cripplegate, along years later, in 1690, he made the fateful decision pre-Fire layout remained unaltered, with with numerous leasehold properties in West to relocate – Golden Bottle and all – to bustling the shop on the ground floor, three or four Smithfield and Clerkenwell. Fleet Street. The rest, as they say, is history. floors of living accommodation above and a yard housing the safe to the rear. Two small sets of weights and scales sat on the shop’s counter tops, while an iron chest nestled nearby. The stock too was typical. Plated goods, ‘being several sorts & fashions new & old,’ valued at over £2,600, jostled for space alongside an assortment of jewellery: rings, lockets, watches, bracelets, necklaces and pendants, some studded with amber, coral or pearls. Additionally, the inventory recorded over £800 worth of loose diamonds and a number of ‘Dyamonds small & grate wch were vallued particularly.’5 It was there, under Tempest’s supervision, that Richard gradually acquired the skills necessary to make, mend, buy and sell these luxury Sustained interest in yachting did not ‘Yachting Intelligence’. Despite this boom, Like Greville, Charles had been a keen sailor goods. Simultaneously, however, he would emerge until the latter part of the eighteenth however, yachting remained largely the from an early age. But it was by no means have learnt the nuts and bolts of banking: century. England’s oldest sailing club, the preserve of the better off, although even they his only interest. A passion for hunting taking money on deposit, issuing notes and Royal Thames Yacht Club, was formed struggled to stay afloat at times. In 1840 led to his appointment as Master of the receipts, administering loans. in 1775, while the establishment of the agents arrived at Hoare’s Bank seeking a Vale of White Horse Hunt in 1879. Cricket July 1672 was a momentous month for prestigious Royal Yacht Squadron in 1815 £4,000 loan for Hon Mr Greville, ‘who … was another obsession, while the thrill of Richard Hoare. On the 5th he was made a turned the former shipbuilding port of is about to sell his yatch [sic], as well as His four-in-hand driving had even induced him freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company; three Cowes, Isle of Wight, into a yachting haven. House at Brighton and in future to live more to buy a defunct mail coach and launch his weeks later he married Susanna Austen. That By the time Charles bought the Surprise in within His Income.’ Their request, though, own service between London and Sevenoaks. Susanna was a goldsmith’s daughter comes 1877, nearly fifty yacht clubs had been set up met with little sympathy. ‘The only Security Unfortunately for Charles, none of these as no surprise. The surviving fragments of across England, countless yards were being offered … is a farther Insurance on His Life, pastimes came cheap. In fact they haem- Richard’s life reveal how entwined London’s kept busy building or refitting everything with a deposit of the Charter of His Vessel, orrhaged money. Combined with an irre- goldsmiths were by ties of commerce, society from nippy little cutters to the Tsesarevich’s wholly inadequate when it is recollected pressible appetite for luxury, they doomed and kinship. Two – John East and Robert mighty Czarevna (736 tons) and the press that He has already £6000 on personal him to a life of perpetual debt. The earliest Blanchard (the founder of Child’s Bank) Sir Richard Hoare Kt by unknown artist, c.1712–13 was devoting significant column inches to Security only.’1 surviving letter to his father, written when

[ 120 ] [ 121 ] Charles was nineteen, hinted at what was to in bank loans. Not that retrenchment ever stern first prevented him from proceeding he acknowledged, ‘but I conceive I should the Portsmouth Evening News in 1880. ‘There come. ‘You said you would pay my bills up entered his head. By 1877 he and his growing to Italy as planned. Then his Steward was lay out quite £1,000 upon her, and therefore is no excuse in the nature of necessity for to Lady day in last year 1865 & as the people family were dividing their time between arrested, tried and convicted of stealing adding that to your price, would give me the the existence of the abominable craft that are rather pressing me I should be glad of the a Queen Anne manor near Malmesbury, over fifty bottles of wine and spirits from choice of half the yachts afloat, and you must vomit their hideous smoke across the money as soon as you could conveniently let which also hosted Charles’s extensive the yacht’s stores. Finally, Charles himself admit that she is old fashioned in her fittings fields and churn up the water with their me have it.’ Hard on its heels came a further hunting establishment, and a Mayfair town took ill, bringing the entire expedition to … [and] has many necessary defects to make paddles … To procure silk or velvet covered request. ‘Would you let me have £16 to buy a house, with occasional visits to the Kent an ignominious and expensive end. Five good.’4 Reluctantly, Charles agreed. His cushions whereon to loll, cigars to smoke, Marquee for Cricketting at our place.’1 For estate. Substantial sums went towards hundred pounds was spent chartering a proposal to sell the Surprise’s plate and linen and champagne to drink, is in the power of bank Partner Peter Richard Hoare, a man improving and maintaining all three – the steamer to tow the Surprise to Marseilles, was rejected out of hand, although Spicer every fellow who has more money than taste of simple tastes and sparing disposition, his piano tuner’s bill alone covered five pianos from where she limped home in early June. reserved judgement on the piano; ‘I should or common sense … Unluckily the owners son’s extravagance was both worrying and and a pipe organ – and Charles’s personal Undeterred by this experience, Charles like to see what space it occupies.’ of steam-yachts do not always content infuriating. Surely Charles must realise that expenditure remained prodigious. He was a was soon back at sea. On 21st August, Despite this disappointment, it did not themselves with the mere advertisement of fifteen horses was excessive? No man needed member of a dozen or so clubs, enjoyed fine following weeks of frenzied scrubbing, take Charles long to find his sea legs once their own silly luxury … the bolts of their more than three. As for the hounds and mail dining and champagne, indulged a fondness painting, varnishing and polishing, the more. Barely a year after parting with the derision must be hurled at rowing men in coach, they simply had to go. for Continental travel and subscribed to Surprise was towed out of Portsmouth Surprise he agreed to purchase a steam yacht skiffs or fours, at decent anglers seated in Behind this general worry lurked a more innumerable charities. harbour by an obliging steamer. Once at sea from the Forth Yacht Agency. Getting Thalia the contemplative punt, at parties loitering deep-seated anxiety. The profligacy of After lying on the mud at Cowes over her sails were hoisted and Captain Forbes from Leith to London, however, proved downstream in boats, full of children and Charles’s older brother, Peter Merrik, had Christmas the Surprise was fitted out for instructed to set a westward course. The first bothersome. ‘I have a good deal of trouble ladies.’5 precluded any chance of his being taken into Charles’s first voyage, a Mediterranean stop was Torquay, where Charles and his and delay in getting competent men to go so Neither a contemptuous press nor the the bank. Peter Richard’s hopes, therefore, cruise. Four cabins were set aside for the guests passed a few days exploring the town far South,’ the Agency’s manager complained, heavy cost associated with boating life could rested on Charles. But as he was at pains to use of himself, his family and their servants. and its environs. From there the Surprise ‘the Captain wont go with less than three dampen Charles’s enthusiasm. In 1884 he point out, ‘Your success at the Bank depends The dining room was redecorated and the moved on to Dartmouth, Plymouth and men and they ask twenty pounds [I] am acquired another schooner, the Leonora, entirely upon Steadiness, no one will keep sitting room furnished with four sofas, two Falmouth before returning to Portsmouth at trying to arrange with them for something which enabled him to enjoy summer jaunts their money where they find the Conductors card tables, two round tables, a tea table the end of September. less.’ Nor did her arrival reduce Charles’s to Boulogne and winter visits to a succession of the Bank Extravagant & if you don’t take and a piano. Arrangements below deck, As soon as Charles’s guests had outgoings; like the Surprise before her, Thalia of Côte d’Azur villas. But Charles’s next care our Branch [of the family] will lose it meanwhile, clearly showed that Charles disembarked Forbes was given orders to too required an extensive refit before she purchase – an old barque – would serve a after I am gone.’ Charles’s early marriage had no intention of letting his living proceed to Greenhithe, Kent. Charles’s could be considered seaworthy. very different purpose. She was converted at the age of twenty offered a brief flicker of standards slip simply because he was afloat. intention was to have the Surprise overhauled, Charles moored his new purchase into a school with the aim of preparing hope. ‘Now [he] has the Responsibility of a Crammed into the Surprise’s pantry was but to his dismay the cost soon began alongside the Surprise’s thirty-foot steam teenage boys for careers as sailors or military family he … will see the necessity of Economy every conceivable implement for civilised spiralling out of control. Large sums Charles Arthur Richard Hoare, c.1865 launch, which he had refused to sell to Spicer, bandsmen. Much of the rest of Charles’s life & the propriety of Entering into the Family dining: omelette pans, cutlet pans, stew were spent on materials. Still more went at Kingston upon Thames. Both were used would be devoted to Training Ship Mercury. Business which has been conducted with so pans, Yorkshire pudding tins, cake hoops, towards paying Forbes and his workmen – a mainly for short trips upriver to Henley. It also gave rise to his most enduring legacy: much satisfaction to the Members thereof jelly moulds, paste cutters, oyster knives, carpenter, a joiner and two able seamen – and And in doing so Charles was following the a collection of 150 model ships. Originally & of Advantage to the Public.’ Neither this nutcrackers, toasting forks, mustard spoons, supplying them with a house. On top of all fashion of the day. Working boats had largely used as educational aids by Mercury’s pupils, nor Charles’s admittance to the partnership finger glasses, champagne glasses, wine this, bank clerk Henry Tilden, who acted as disappeared from that stretch of the Thames they were purchased by shipowner Sir in 1872 could dispel Peter Richard’s unease, coolers, decanters and napkin rings. And Charles’s private secretary, was bombarded by 1880, usurped by a teeming mass of James Caird in 1929 and presented by him however. And Charles’s attitude offered little Charles’s cook found himself armed with with requests for extra sums: to buy food, pay pleasure craft – punts, skiffs, steam launches, to the newly established National Maritime reassurance. Banking, he pronounced, might enough Victorian staples, albeit tinned, to the washerwoman, or lay in more fuel. ‘I … even houseboats – that swamped the hitherto Museum, Greenwich. be lucrative, but it was ‘very dull work.’2 gladden the heart of Mrs Beeton herself: should esteem it a great favour if you could tranquil river. So great a craze did pleasure Charles bought the Surprise, a 250 ton, mock turtle soup, venison, rabbit, madras let me get a little coke to go on with as it will boating become that readers of Jerome K. two-masted schooner, in September 1877, curry, ox tongue, kippers, oysters, partridges, be quite done on Saturday,’ wrote Forbes in Jerome’s classic comedy, Three Men in a Boat less than four months after his father’s death. truffles, hotchpotch, asparagus, anchovy April 1879, ‘& then the men on board will not (1889), had no trouble identifying with his Quite how he scraped together the £3,500 paste and pickles. be able to cook their food & I am afraid that it stressed City clerks’ doomed efforts to enjoy a asking price is a mystery. His income from Preparations complete, the Surprise set sail might lead to trouble with them.’3 relaxing holiday on board a hired skiff. the bank that year totalled £9,000, while from Southampton in February 1878. After Eventually Charles had to admit defeat. Jerome’s chief enemy was the steam his father’s demise opened up the prospect a brief stop at Gibraltar she edged her way In June 1879 he made the difficult decision launch. Nor was he alone, for steam launches of additional revenue from estates in Kent along the African coast before crossing to to sell the Surprise. The buyer though, John (and their owners) were much reviled. ‘Why and Lancashire. But Charles’s debts were Valletta in early April. There though Charles’s Spicer of Spye Park, Wiltshire, drove a hard should any mortal wish to be carried in a enormous. His overdraft alone topped hopes for a tranquil holiday fell apart. bargain. ‘It was a great piece of impertinence hideous, snorting, fuming machine up and £15,000 and he owed a further £23,000 Lengthy repairs to the Surprise’s mast and my venturing to make such an offer [£3,000],’ down the surface of the Thames?’ huffed

[ 122 ] [ 123 ] 47 Cheque form marked ‘M’ for Metropolitan, [1931] Technological advances enable today’s customers to pay in cheques via smartphones, while banks no longer need to forward paper cheques to a central clearing house. These changes make life easier. But they also mark the end of a centuries old tradition.

In the early days of banking London had no own desk he set about entering any charges to the bank in question, which then issued centralised cheque clearing system. Instead, deposited in his box. At 3pm this process a draft by return of post. But from 1858 each bank would send a clerk out daily to was repeated. As soon as the Clearing House provincial banks were permitted to appoint visit every other bank, exchange cheques and closed at 4pm, the clerk made up his account a London clearing bank as their agent, settle any outstanding balances in cash. But then reached for a sheet of paper with a list of enabling them to forward cheques drawn on as the number of banks increased the ‘Walk clearing bankers printed alphabetically down other country banks to the capital in a single Clerks’ found themselves having to travel the middle. After working his way down this parcel for clearing. Unlike Town Clearing, much further, settle many more cheques and list, entering balances owed to him to the left however, which offered same day settlement, carry larger sums of money. In about 1770, of the names and money owed by him to the country cheques were not settled until two therefore, some of them began congregating right, he would go to the clerk of each bank in days after exchange. at the Five Bells Tavern, Lombard Street, turn and call over the balance. If it was agreed Relentless growth within the banking around lunchtime each day to exchange they marked it with a pen. If not the error had sector meant that by 1900 larger banks cheques and settle their balances. Within a to be traced and rectified. Finally, the clerk had to retain permanent Clearing Clerks, few years this informal method of clearing cast up each side of his balance sheet and while nearly all banks were forced to divert had become so entrenched that the banks submitted it to the Clearing House Inspector staff from their normal duties during peak involved decided to rent a private room for for authorisation before returning to his periods. ‘On Stock Exchange Settling Days their clerks to conduct business in. own bank, checking the balance there agreed and other occasions when the work is heavy, The first step towards formal regulation of with that reached at the Clearing House it is no uncommon thing near closing time the clearing process came in 1821. A bankers’ and collecting sufficient funds to settle any to see the runners rushing down Lombard meeting held in February that year agreed outstanding balances. Street as if their lives depended on it.’2 Yet that ‘great advantage would arise to the Over time a number of changes were every single charge was still being listed by on Walk Clerks, would be regarded as ‘Town’ the early 1800s two of Hoare’s junior clerks End establishments to meet the demands of Bankers of London from the appointment made to this system. From about 1841 the hand. Despite the clerks’ best efforts – some and entitled to same day clearing. The other, were undertaking the City Walk on alternate other banks would be rendered unnecessary, of a permanent Committee chosen of their practice of individual settlements between were capable of entering and casting 1,200 which submitted its cheques by post, would months, while a third was assigned to the lastly the business of collection would own Body for the purpose of suggesting and banks was abandoned. Instead, each was cheques an hour – the pressure began to tell. be designated ‘Country’ and obliged to wait West Walk. Another route, the Sub City be conducted more expeditiously for the carrying into effect any Bills or Regulations allowed to make one payment for the Illness, even complete breakdowns, became two days. Walk, emerged soon afterwards. The only customer, and economically for the banker.’ tending to increase the facility or security of whole day’s work, although such payments increasingly common. In 1902, therefore, This incongruity led to the establishment material change came in 1848, when the old Neither the Charing Cross clearing house their mutual transactions as well as for the continued to be in Bank of England notes. a number of Burroughs adding machines of a Metropolitan Clearing in 1907. method of pinning up and entering cheques nor any of the myriad other solutions put adoption of measures for their protection Only after they were all obliged to open were introduced into the Clearing House. Operating between 9am and 10.30am each in the City Clearing Book was discontinued. forward over the years ever materialised. against the numerous Frauds, Robberies and Clearing Accounts at the Bank of England To some, this heralded a technological weekday (earlier on Saturdays), it was aimed Instead, the Walk Clerks were instructed to In fact, it would be nearly half a century Forgeries to which Bankers are unfortunately in 1854 did cash settlements come to an end. revolution. One enthusiast even went so far squarely at the suburban hinterland. ‘In this cast the Credit Clearing Book and agree the before the West End banks were fully exposed.’ Out of this emerged a thirteen- It was in 1854 too that another significant as to envisage ‘long pneumatic tubes that will clearing will be dealt with the cheques of the Walks totals before leaving the bank. incorporated into the clearing system. And strong Committee of London Clearing alteration was introduced: the admittance of bring the cheques straight from the banks suburban branches of the London banks, Despite these improvements, the Walks even then they hesitated. At Hoare’s, the Bankers. Twelve years later the Clearing joint stock banks into the Clearing House. to the Clearing House, without the perils of which will be each collected by its own head remained a costly and inefficient way of doing Partners’ memoranda book for September Bankers erected a purpose-built Clearing Legislation had sanctioned the establishment the road and the interruptions of the Lord office and delivered at the Clearing House business. ‘It seems most extraordinary,’ 1907 recorded that ‘H[arry] H[oare] saw House in a courtyard off Lombard Street. of provincial joint stock banks from 1826 Mayor’s Show.’3 in such a manner as to facilitate the sorting declared the Bankers’ Magazine in 1865, Dashwood of Childs and agreed that neither Centrally located, yet tucked away from and London ones from 1833. Despite intense A more down to earth change came in the of the documents. In this way people with ‘that seeing the admirable way in which bank would take any step in the matter of the prying eyes, the site was considered ideal. lobbying, however, the Bankers’ Clearing form of a third clearing. London’s expansion accounts at suburban branches will have the the clearing house has worked in the City, proposal for the West End banks to come ‘The bankers were anxious that their clerks, House had steadfastly refused to admit these had resulted in a five-fold increase in the advantage of having their cheques cleared in economising both labour and time, the into the Metropolitan clearing without carrying as they did securities of great value, new banks, leading to accusations that it was number of suburban bank branches between considerably earlier than has been the case West End bankers should have remained first advising the other.’ There could be no frequently Bank of England notes for large hindering London’s growth as a financial 1868 and 1907, from about 70 to 350.4 hitherto, and the old expensive and dilatory contented so long without an attempt escape, however. In February 1908 Hoare’s, amounts, should not be observed by the centre merely to protect the interests of its Consequently, huge armies of clerks were system of the “walks” will be swept away.’5 to extend its benefits to themselves.’ The along with most of the West End banks, was public.’1 members. For a time it looked as if the joint being deployed on the daily walks – larger For Hoare’s and the other West End magazine’s solution? A Charing Cross absorbed into the Metropolitan Clearing. For many years the clearing process stock banks would have to set up their own banks dispatched as many as twenty – while banks, none of whom were Clearing House clearing house. Not only would this Bowing to the inevitable, the Partners remained largely unaltered. At midday clearing system, but eventually the Clearing the distances they were required to cover members, these innovations had little significantly reduce the number of Walk appointed Williams, Deacon & Co. (later each clearing bank dispatched a clerk to the Bankers gave way and six joint stock banks and the number of charges they had to deal effect. A few did eventually appoint one of Clerks, but ‘The counters of the different Williams & Glyn) as their clearing agents Clearing House. There he would work his were permitted to enter the Clearing House. with had similarly grown. To make matters the clearing banks as agents to clear their banks would be relieved of the crowds that and took delivery of a consignment of new way round the Clearing Room, arranged Further change came four years later worse, confusion over where ‘Town’ and demands on the City banks, but all continued besiege them during the early part of the day, cheques marked ‘M’ for Metropolitan. alphabetically by bank, dropping any cheques with the introduction of Country Clearing. ‘Country’ boundary lines lay meant it was not to rely on Walk Clerks, who pounded the causing vexatious delays to customers, and Today, in an era where mobile apps and payable at other banks into boxes perched Previously, any country cheques that needed uncommon for two banks on the same street streets six days a week, visiting each bank in consequent loss of temper. The large reserve virtual clearing are the norm, it is worth on the end of their desks. On reaching his to go through London had to be sent directly to be treated entirely differently. One, reliant turn to drop off and collect their charges. By of bank notes now held by the various West pausing to reflect on a time when the sight

[ 124 ] [ 125 ] 48 Subscription Fund for the Circassians, 1864 In June 1864 a subscription account entitled ‘Fund for the Circassians’ was opened at Hoare’s Bank. The account was short-lived – no donations were received after October – and the sum raised (£77–15–9) was modest. But the story behind it provoked scenes which echo those witnessed across Europe throughout the early years of the twenty-first century.

of hundreds of Walk Clerks criss-crossing and to which you had to take each of your “Sub City” whose collection ranged from the Nestled beside the Black Sea, amid dramatic Contemporary accounts disagreed to secure sufficient transport. As a result, the City and West End each morning was so cheques to be marked for payment before Butchers’ Banks in Smithfield to the Borough mountains and lush fertile valleys, Circassia on how much say the Circassians had ‘vessels are crammed to suffocation with familiar as to be almost imperceptible. And they were presented at the Cash Counter. If in Southwark. As everything was paid in was just one of a numberless jumble of regarding their fate. Certainly the Ottoman the exiles, who endure on the voyage to the how better to do this than in the company of the officer had omitted to put the No of the actual Cash it was customary always to have ethnic groups that comprised the Northern Sultan, keen to cultivate the sparsely Bosphorus all the horrors of another “middle one of Hoare’s own Walk Clerks, Henry John Reg’t after his name you had to hunt it up a large sum in Bank of England Notes in the Caucasus. Russia loomed large to the north, populated region of Anatolia and beef up passage”. During the past stormy season Tilden, whose description of the West Walk in the Army List before you could proceed. Safe which I believe was never allowed to go while to the south lay the mighty Ottoman his army with experienced fighting men, in the Black Sea above a dozen wrecks of (c.1865) evokes an aspect of London life that If you had a heavy charge it took a long time below £300000. Any Bank Notes that were and Persian Empires. For hundreds of offered them refuge. But whether the these emigrant vessels occurred, hurrying has vanished forever: before you could get clear of the place & cross paid in were never reissued but were always years much of the Northern Caucasus had Circassians chose to go or were forced to many hundreds of these miserable creatures ‘Having sorted up the various charges in the road to Cocks Biddulph’s & Drummonds paid in to the Bank of England where they been controlled by the two latter powers. do so was less clear. Not that The Times’s to death.’2 By January 1860 up to 20,000 due order in his case which he attached to both of which were close to each other and were destroyed immediately by the Cashier But during the nineteenth century Russia Constantinople correspondent entertained people had made the perilous crossing. the Steel Chain round his waist, the Clerk neither would detain you long. From there tearing off the signature. It was not till many launched a determined bid to seize control any doubt as to where the truth lay. ‘Whole But although willing to receive them the started out as soon after 9am as possible. His you went to the Paymaster General’s Office years after I came that the charges were paid of the entire territory. For half a century tribes of these sturdy mountaineers have Turkish authorities were unable to cope with first call was over the road to Praeds Bank a a rabbit warren of a place where you might by cheque on Williams Deacon & Co. & the Tsar’s armies invaded, conquered and been compelled to avail themselves of the such an influx of cold, hungry, exhausted small old-fashioned house which has long be detained any length of time but if you had I well remember examining with curiosity annexed their way across the region, subjugat- permission granted to emigrate to the and penniless refugees. Packed into since been pulled down. He then proceeded anything at Grindlays in Parliament Street the first large cheque book with the cheques ing or expelling the indigenous populations Turkish territory; for the policy of Russia insanitary encampments on the outskirts of to Childs Bank which was practically part of you usually arranged to leave your charge signed in blank by one of the Partners.’6 as they went. The resistance these armies in the Caucasus has not been to conciliate Constantinople, it was not long before they Temple Bar and was adopted by Dickens as and called for it on your return. From thence encountered along the way was intense. these races, but rather to exterminate and began succumbing to disease. his model of Teller’s Bank in the Tale of Two to Hallett & Co. the Navy Agents who came And few resisted more fiercely than the drive them out of the country.’1 Great though these sufferings were, worse Cities, even to the ticket Porter with his white to grief at the time of the Overend Gurney Circassians. Ultimately, however, they were However it came about, by 1859 huge was to follow. In the weeks immediately apron who sat on a stool in the street at the Crash in 1866. Then on to Ransom Bouverie no match for Russia’s military machine. Their numbers of Circassians were setting out after the final capitulation of April 1864 an entrance of the Swing door. A Stranger had to & Co. where you frequently came in contact last stronghold, Vardar, capitulated in April across the Black Sea for Constantinople. estimated 300,000 displaced Circassians be careful on entering as instead of stepping with Lord Kinnaird the senior Partner who 1864, leaving its citizens facing a bleak future. So many, in fact, that it proved impossible were herded down to the coast. There, with up you had to step down to reach the floors was a near relation of the Partners at No 37 and might easily come to grief. From there and very often sent notes or messages by the you went to Twining which was also an Walk Clerk. ancient place and on my first visit I opened From there to Herries Farquhar & Co. the wrong door and presented my charge at in St James’s Street which has long since the Counter where they served out the Tea. been absorbed by a Joint Stock Bank. Then From there it was a long stretch to Coutts’ old on to the L[ondon] & West[minste]r Bank, house on the same side of the Strand. This St James’s Square & the Bank of England in was a place that always impressed me from Burlington Gardens and if you had anything its size, the number of Clerks all visibly hard to collect which was not often to the L&W at work and the oppressive silence which to Bank, Stratford Place which was the limit of my mind confirmed the reports I had heard your round and thankful you were when you of the rigid discipline then maintained in that could call a Hansom Cab and make the best establishment. In my recollection two of the of your way home hoping to arrive in time to clerks migrated to No 37 on account of it, secure some lunch before it was cleared away much to the disgust of the authorities there. at 2.30pm. As you were strictly forbidden Then to Cox & Co. the Army Agents to enter a “bus” while on the Walk you were in Craig’s Court. Next to the Paymaster expected to take a Cab home as in those days General’s this was the most troublesome there were no clearing cheques for West End place of all, as the house had originally been Private Banks and you often had in your a Nobleman’s town mansion and every room case a considerable sum in Notes & Gold. I from basement to roof was occupied by the don’t think that in those days thieves were Clerks who had charge of the accounts of so enterprising as they are now as I never each regiment and each officer belonging to recollect a Walk Clerk being interfered with. it. Inside the Cash Office to the left as you Everything had to be collected by hand entered was a huge Board inscribed with the consequently there were two other Walks names of every Regiment in the Service with one called the “City” whose duties were the No of the room where they were located confined to the actual City and the other the

[ 126 ] [ 127 ] no shelter and little food, they were forced to Sir Henry Bulwer, along with a heartfelt hats – ‘their extreme beauty, lightness, and The account at Hoare’s was opened on regular troops, the Circassians have been linger for days or weeks before undertaking appeal for action – ‘Surely policy, humanity, elegance, are really superior to anything 2nd June 1864. Early subscribers included disbanded and shipped to Tripoli … Sept 27 the arduous journey across the Black Sea public admiration for unexampled valour, we have seen’ – even a Compound Balm the Earl of Ilchester, former Under-Secretary [1865] … A collision has occurred between on whatever transport Turkish authorities public pity for almost unexampled distress, of Mecca. ‘This elegant and odoriferous of State for Foreign Affairs (£10); barrister the Circassian immigrants and the Turkish could muster. ‘Every little coasting vessel would come in to assist a cause to which no preparation has long been celebrated by Charles Bosanquet, soon to be appointed troops at Enos [Enez, Turkey]. Several were seems to be eagerly seized upon,’ reported heart that has ever felt for deeds of patriotic the Circassian Women in the Seraglio of the Charity Organisation Society’s first killed on both sides … 6 Dec [1865] … The The Times, ‘and the unfortunate emigrants heroism could be insensible?’4 – provoked the Grand Sultan, who may truly boast general secretary (£1) and Rev Holland Circassian Emigration has been dissolved. crowd upon every craft that comes in their little reaction beyond a gift of 600 tons of the most charming complexions in the Lomas, who contributed a portion of the It is therefore expected that the slave trade way in numbers which defy any precautions biscuit from the Royal Navy stores at Malta, world … English Ladies may rely that its Offertory at Holy Trinity Church, Walton will now revive.’ Before long, the most for health or safety.’ In vain the Ottoman an offer of additional transport to help qualities are infallible in removing all those Breck, Liverpool (£6–1–3). But it struggled prominent mention of Circassia could once Minister of Marine beseeched ships’ captains convey the exiles across the Black Sea and red disagreeable appearances so baneful to attract donations. And as the Committee again be found amongst the advertisements. to accept no more than they could carry vague murmurings of a Turkish loan secured to beauty, and that by constant use it will had feared, the overall response was muted. ‘Madame Rachel’s talents have gained for safely. For as soon as a ship docked it was against Trabzon’s Customs revenue. To many preserve the skin fair and clear, to the Two of the largest subscriptions (£100 each) her a world-renowned name for preserving overrun by hordes of desperate refugees who politicians Circassia was an obscure, distant extreme of old age.’7 came from banking heiress and renowned and enhancing youth, grace, and loveliness. scrambled over the bulwarks and poured land with no strong commercial ties. Their A greater contrast with the realities of philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts Her Royal Arabian and Circassian Bath through the portholes in their eagerness to energies were consumed by matters closer to the 1860s scarcely can be imagined. But and a former first secretary to the British [Wash], Spices, and Perfumes render the escape. The consequences were inevitable. home: the American Civil War, the January while press reports of the Circassians’ Ambassador at Constantinople, David hair, teeth, and complexion beautiful beyond ‘Out of one cargo of 600 of these unhappy Uprising in Poland and the Second Schleswig brave resistance and subsequent sufferings Urquhart, who nearly thirty years earlier had comparison, giving the appearance of youth beings only 370 survived after a four or War, which had pitted Denmark against the evoked a degree of sympathy, such deep- triggered a diplomatic row after encouraging and beauty to persons however far advanced five days’ sail. Women suffer the pangs of combined might of Prussia and Austria and rooted prejudices proved difficult to shake a British schooner to flout a Russian trade in years, and have caused her name to stand a childbirth in the open air, with scarce clothes prompted the opening of a subscription off. An 1862 appeal by barrister Edmond embargo by docking at Circassia. marvel of the age.’9 for themselves and none for their wretched account at Hoare’s ‘For the Wounded Danes.’ Beales on behalf of the Circassians made Despite this disappointing response, Although the exact numbers will never be infants, and dead and dying men lie thick Amongst the general public too, sympathy little headway. The crisis of 1864, however, the Committee was able to remit £1,000 known, it is estimated that between 700,000 upon the exposed decks … These are things for the Circassians’ plight was limited. Before determined a small group of men intimately to Constantinople in mid June 1864 and a and two million Circassians fled their now of everyday occurrence on the waters of the 1830s many people would never have familiar with Circassia to try again. A letter further £1,000 a few weeks later. Part of this homeland between 1859 and 1880, while the the [Black Sea].’3 heard of Circassia. Others, if asked, would to The Times from Laurence Oliphant, sum went towards supplying 226 orphans number of deaths is put at about 600,000. Conditions on the Ottoman side were no have dismissed it as an uncivilized place author, sometime diplomat and inveterate with mattresses, bedding and clothing; the Of those who fled, many settled in Turkey. better. By mid May the various camps that inhabited by warlike barbarians who thought traveller who had briefly visited Circassia in remainder was spent on blankets and warm Others found new homes in the Balkans, had sprung up near the Black Sea ports of nothing of selling their daughters into slavery 1855, led to the establishment in May 1864 of clothes for general distribution. But as the Iraq, Jordan or Syria. Trabzon, Samson, Sinop and Varna, hastily or concubinage. Nor had the press done Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français: young lady wearing a a Committee to Aid the Circassians. Headed Committee was only too aware, £2,000 was erected to afford temporary accommodation much to soften these stereotypes. In 1789 polonaise with sleeves ‘à la Circassiene’ by Dupin after Desrais, 1778 by a former Ambassador to the Ottoman a fraction of what was required. For there Private collection for an anticipated 40,000 to 50,000 The Times reported that ‘A considerable trade Empire, Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe, had been no let up in the tide of refugees and refugees, had been overwhelmed. Dr Barozzi, is carried on with female slaves in Turkey … it attracted diplomats, scholars, travellers conditions remained pitiful. On 6th August Sanitary Inspector to the Ottoman Board the Circassians are the most sought after, and their ilk, alongside a sprinkling of an Illustrated News correspondent reported of Health, who reached Samson on 14th on account of superior grace and beauty; philanthropists and bankers including stumbling across a makeshift camp amidst May, was appalled by the sight that greeted they possess the exclusive honour of being Henry Hoare (Staplehurst)’s brother-in-law the white tombs and dark cypress trees of him – over 70,000 men, women and children admitted to the bed of the Grand Seignior, Hon Arthur Kinnaird MP, a partner in the the local cemetery at Erzurum (Turkey), crammed into tents, stables or warehouses, and that of the Tartarian Princes.’5 And banking house of Messrs Ransom, Bouverie ‘the dying amidst the dead. It was strange,’ littering the streets and squares, sprawled excitement rippled across London society in & Co. he reflected, ‘to pass from the bustle which beneath trees or in shop doorways, a tangle 1819 when it was reported that the Persian The Committee wasted no time is going on from morning to night, and the of the sick, the dying and the dead. Food, Ambassador had installed his Circassian launching an appeal for funds, although crowd of Kurds, Persians, Armenians, and clothing and blankets were all in short concubine and her attendants, two black they were careful to stress that their motives Turks thronging the bazaars and passing supply; smallpox, typhus and dysentery raged eunuchs resplendent in national dress and were humanitarian rather than political. in their varied costumes, in and out of the unchecked. Nor was Barozzi’s experience glittering sabres, in Berkeley Square. Likewise, ‘The Committee trust that the numerous “khans” or the Custom house, unique. Another eyewitness reported that This potent mix of beauty and exoticism circumstance that [Circassia] is obscure and which are said to be the largest in the empire,’ the faces and hands of nearly every exile was perpetuated by the culture of the day. little known in this country will not deprive to the cemetery where, ‘in the quiet of he encountered at Varna (Bulgaria) were Theatre goers feasted on The Fair Circassian, it of the sympathy of the public. Nor should suffering and almost in the death of hope, the raw with smallpox, while the sight of about ‘an entire Grand Oriental spectacle, the fact that the misery is on such a gigantic Circassian exiles have encamped.’ 20,000 refugees huddled beside the Danube interspersed with Song, Dance and Action scale dishearten us in our attempts to Notwithstanding this ongoing distress, at Cernavodä (Romania) reminded Rev … Dromedaries, State Canopies … Banners, relieve it. Whatever money is collected and interest in the exiles’ plight was short-lived. Benjamin Philpot of the Israelites in the Elephants, Camels.’6 Literary types devoured subscribed in England will be applied to the By mid October the account at Hoare’s was Wilderness. Byron’s wildly popular Don Juan (1818–24), in relief of the most urgent cases of suffering.’8 dormant and the story no longer commanded Despite the efforts of local officials, which a Circassian girl – ‘Beauty’s brightest Finally, subscribers were reminded of the fat column inches in The Times. Relegated bolstered by a £50,000 donation from colours had decked her out in all the hues late Sultan’s generosity during the desperate firstly ‘From Our Own Correspondent’ to the Sultan, the scale of the crisis was too of heaven’ – was sold to the highest bidder. famine that had engulfed Ireland a decade ‘News in Brief’, it soon became confined much for Turkey to cope with alone. But Ladies bent on beautifying themselves, or so earlier and requested to pay in their to occasional terse statements buried deep the European powers were reluctant to be meanwhile, were spoilt for choice. There were subscriptions at Messrs Ransom, Bouverie within the inner pages: ‘Feb 8 [1865] … drawn in. Detailed reports submitted by Circassian shawls, brightly coloured and and Co., Messrs Smith, Payne, Smith & Co., Disturbances having taken place between the British Ambassador to Constantinople, trimmed with gold tassels; Circassian straw or Messrs Hoare & Co. the new Circassian contingent and the

[ 128 ] [ 129 ] Who’s Who at Hoare’s Bank

Arnold, Christopher Hoare, Henry Hoare, Norah Mary Born–died: 1690–1758 Born–died: 1807–66 Died 1973 Partner: 1725 Partner: 1827 Née Wheeler Hoare, Alfred Known as: Henry Hoare (Staplehurst) Wife of Sir Frederick (Derick) Alfred Hoare Bt Born–died: 1850–1938 Hoare, Henry Known as: Mary Hoare Partner: 1882 Born–died: 1838–1898 Hoare, Peter Richard jnr Hoare, Beatrice Anne Partner: 1865–74 Born–died: 1803–77 Born–died: 1843–1945 Known as: Henry Hoare (Iden) Partner: 1841 Née Paley Hoare, Henry Hoare, Richard Wife of Henry Hoare (Iden) Born–died: 1866–1956 Born–died: 1733–77 Hoare, Benjamin Partner: 1894 Partner: 1758 Born–died: 1693–1750 Known as: Harry Hoare (Ellisfield) Known as: Richard Hoare (Boreham) Partner: 1719 Hoare, Henry Ainslie, Sir, 5th Bt Hoare, Richard, Sir, Kt Hoare, Caroline Born–died: 1824–94 Born–died: 1649–1719 Born–died: 1841–1929 Hoare, Henry Charles Founder of C. Hoare & Co Daughter of Henry Hoare (Staplehurst) Born–died: 1790–1852 Hoare, Richard, Sir, Kt Hoare, Charles Partner: 1828 Born–died: 1710–54 Born–died: 1767–1851 Hoare, Henry Hugh, Sir, 3rd Bt Partner: 1731 Partner: 1787 Born–died: 1762–1841 Hoare, Richard, Sir, Known as: Charles Hoare (Luscombe) Partner: 1785 1st Bt of Barn Elms Hoare, Charles Known as: Hugh Hoare Born–died: 1735–87 Born–died: 1844–98 Hoare, Henry jnr Partner: 1754 Partner: 1867 Born–died: 1730–52 Hoare, Richard Colt, Sir, 2nd Bt Known as: Charles Hoare (Hackwood) Partner: 1750 Born–died: 1758–1838 Hoare, Charles Arthur Richard Hoare, Henry jnr Hoare, Sophia Born–died: 1847–1908 Born–died: 1744–85 Born–died: 1771–1824 Partner: 1873–88 Partner: 1770 Née Thrale Hoare, Frances Dorothea Known as: Fat Harry Wife of Henry Merrik Hoare Born–died: 1769–1853 Hoare, Henry Merrik Hoare, Susanna Née Robinson Born–died: 1770–1856 Born–died: 1653–1720 Wife of Charles Hoare (Luscombe) Partner: 1791 Née Austen Known as: Fanny Hoare Hoare, Hester, hon Wife of Sir Richard Hoare Kt, Hoare, Frederick Alfred, Sir, Bt Born–died: 1762–1785 founder of C. Hoare & Co Born–died: 1913–86 Née Lyttelton Hoare, William Henry Partner: 1947 Wife of Sir Richard Colt Hoare 2nd Bt Born–died: 1776–1819 Known as: Derick Hoare Hoare, Jane Partner: 1798 Hoare, Henry Born–died: 1679–1742 Hollond, Beatrice mary Born–died: 1677–1725 Née Benson Born–died: 1865–1959 Partner: 1698 Wife of Henry Hoare (Good) Née Hoare Known as: Henry Hoare (Good) Hoare, Mary Daughter of Henry Hoare (Iden) Hoare, Henry Born–died: 1744–1820 Born–died: 1705–85 Née Hoare Partner: 1725 Daughter of William Hoare of Bath RA Known as: Henry Hoare (Magnificent) Wife of Henry Hoare jnr (Fat Harry) Hoare, Henry Hoare, Mary, Lady Born–died: 1750–1828 Born–died: 1811–71 Partner: 1777 Née Marsham Known as: Henry Hoare (Mitcham) Wife of Henry Hoare (Staplehurst)

[ 131 ] Sources and Abbreviations References

Hoare’s Bank Archive 1 7 16 HB Hoare’s Bank papers 1. HB/2/E/2, Partners’ memoranda 1. HB/2/E/6, Partners’ Annual 3. HB/10/A/18/10, Solicitors’ letters: 1. Morning Chronicle, 15 August 1899 HE Hoare Estate papers book, 22 June 1813 Reports, 1965 Messrs Tylee, Wickham & Moberly 2. Ibid to Messrs Wigg & Oliver, 1 July 1876 HFM Hoare Family papers 2. Gentleman’s Magazine, vol.94, part 2. HFM/19/14/3, Sophia Hoare’s PW Pelham Warren papers 1, page 566 diary of a tour from London to the 4. HB/10/A/19, Letters etc re lease 17 Lakes, [1817?] and redevelopment of 40–43 Fleet RN Robert Nelson papers 1. HFM/2/18, Settlement in pursu- 3. Richard Fenton, A Tour in Search of Street, 1879–1904 ance of marriage articles, 19 February 2 Genealogy: through several parts of Wales, 1714/5 Other Archives 1. Royal Cornwall Gazette, Falmouth Somersetshire and Wiltshire (1811), page 12 Packet & Plymouth Journal, 25 January 179 2. Read’s Weekly Journal or British LMA London Metropolitan Archives 1. HFM/27/1, Correspondence of 1812 Gazetteer, 2 July 1737 SHC Surrey History Centre 4. Passages from the Diaries of Mrs Henry Hoare (Staplehurst): Henry to Philip Lybbe Powys of Hardwick House, 3. HB/8/T/11, Incoming letters from TNA The ationalN Archives, Kew 2. Ibid, 22 February 1812 his sister Louisa, 17 October 1834 Oxon, AD 1756–1808, ed by Emily customers etc: Jonathan Watson, 3. Morning Chronicle, 18 February 1812 2. Morning Post, 17 October 1834 WSHC Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre J. Climenson (1899), pages 168–172 9 November 1772 4. Royal Cornwall Gazette, 21 March 5. William Gilpin, Observations on the 3. Derby Mercury, 22 October 1834 1812 4. Ibid, Edward Woodcock, Newspapers Western Parts of England etc, (1808), 28 February 1778 5. Morning Chronicle, 27 May 1812 page 122 13 Most of the newspapers referred to can be 5. The Piozzi Letters: correspondence of 6. Sir Compton Mackenzie, I Took 1. HFM/11/13, Notes on his life by accessed at the British Library, notably: Hester Lynch Piozzi, 1784–1821 (vol.4, 4 a Journey: a tour of National Trust Sir Richard Colt Hoare (unpublished 17th and 18th century Burney Collection 1805–10), ed by Edward A. Bloom 1. HB/2/E/3, Partners’ memoranda properties (1951), page 53 manuscript) 1828, page 4 and Lillian D. Bloom (1996), page British Newspapers 1600–1900 book, 9 August 1849 2. Ibid, page 17 145 British Library Newspaper Collection 2. HB/2/E/2, Partners’ memoranda 8 3. The Journeys of Sir Richard Colt Hoare 6. HFM/19/12, Copy of the settle- (see www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) book, 5 April 1802 1. HB/11/A/1/1, Letters re invita- through Wales and England 1793–1810, ment on the marriage of Henry Gale NewsVault (for digital versions of 3. HB/9/A/1, Letters of application tions to view the Jubilee procession ed by M. W. Thompson (1983), pages Merrik Hoare and Sophia Thrale, The Times and Financial Times) for employment as clerks etc, from 37 Fleet St, 1897 200–223 12 August 1807 1794–1933 2. The Times, 23 June 1897 4. Universal Magazine, vol.4, 1805, A Note on Values 4. Ibid 3. Ibid page 549 18 5. HB/9/A/3, Fidelity Bonds, Converting sums of money from past to present 1. Public Advertiser, 29 February 1764 1800–1903 9 day values is fraught with difficulty. However, the 14 2. Daily Courant, 29 February 1720 6. HB/9/D/2, Memos re staff 1. Thomas Waring, A Treatise on following might be helpful: 1. HB/5/A/3, Partnership ledger, 3. Star, 30 January 1793 regulations, duties etc, 1786–1928 Archery (1832), page 8 shop expenses, 1719–25 Lawrence H. Officer and Samuel H. Williamson, 7. HB/2/D/1, Partnership corre- 2. Ibid, page 32 4. HFM/9/8, Misc letters to/re 2. HB/9/D/2, Partners’ memos Henry Hoare (Magnificent): Sir Five Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a UK Pound spondence: Henry Hoare to Charles 3. A History of the Toxophilite Society, re staff regulations, duties etc, Richard Hoare (2nd Kt) to Joshua Hoare, 27 June 1825 from its Institution to the Present Time, Amount, 1270 to Present, Measuring Worth, 2015. 1786–1928 Cox, 12 March 1752 See www.measuringworth.com for more details. ed by A Toxophilite (1867), page 80 3. Ibid 5. Whitehall Evening Post or London 5 4. Bristol Mercury, 18 August 1832 4. HB/9/A/2, Letters of application The National Archive: 1. HFM/42/A/18, F. A. Hoare’s diary Intelligencer, 4–6 April 1758 5. The Sporting Magazine, August 1833 for employment as porters or butlers, nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency-converter/ as Lord Mayor of London, 1961–62 6. Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser, 1820–98 10 7 April 1775 6 5. HB/9/G/5/2, Reminiscences etc 7. Hull Packet and East Riding Times, 1. HB/2/D/1, Partnership corre- by Henry John Tilden, 1920s-30s 1. Primrose League Gazette, spondence, Charles Parker to Henry 27 September 1867 1 September 1894 Hugh Hoare, 10 December 1828 15 2. Ibid 2. HB/2/E/3, Partners’ memoranda 19 1. Morning Chronicle, 3 January 1800 3. HFM/16/1, Letters from Henry book, 19–20 July 1830 1. HB/2/D/1, Partnership corre- 2. Bury & Norwich Post, 9 June 1802 Ainslie Hoare to his mother etc, 3. See 1, Sir Richard Colt Hoare to spondence, January 1902 15 December 1882 Henry Merrik Hoare [December 3. Morning Post, 28 August 1802 2. Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated 4. HFM/16/2, Letters to Henry 1828] 4. Anon, The Railway Investment Times, 7 June 1902 Ainslie Hoare from friends etc: letter Guide: how to make money by railway 3. Illustrated London News, 3 May 1902 from Stafford Northcote, 29 January 11 shares, being a series of hints and advice 4. The Times, 31 May 1902 1885 1. HB/10/A/8/14, Schedule of to parties speculating in the shares of 5. Star, 8 August 1902. See www. 5. Morning Post, 10 February 1885 contents of Mr Sheafe’s house in British, colonial and foreign railways, by paperspast.natlib.govt.nz 6. See 4, Letter to Henry Ainslie Fleet Street, 24 October 1701 one of the initiated (1845) Hoare from Henry Dyne, 2. Jackson’s Oxford Journal, 25 March 5. HB/2/E/3, Partners’ memoranda 6. Financial Times, 26 June 1902 29 November 1885 1809 book, 5 December 1845 7. Ibid, 15 October 1902

[ 133 ] 20 3. HB/8/T/6, Outgoing letter book: 28 3. The Daily Telegraph, 19 July 1962 37 4. HFM/36/1, Correspondence 12. Ibid, 2 January [1785] 12. Accounts and Papers: Seventeen letter to Lord Kenyon, 11 February between Harry Hoare and his father Volumes, vol.XXXVII. Estimates: Army, 1. HB/7/G/19, Report on mecha- 1. HB/8/T/1, Outgoing letter book, 4. Financial Times, 10 July 1962 1. HFM/7/9, Richard Hoare’s bills/ 13. Ibid, [19 February 1785] 1826 Henry Hoare: 20 January 1893 Navy, Ordnance etc, Session 15 November nisation by Associated Industrial 20 January 1701/2 5. The Guardian, 12 July 1962 receipts: letter John Farrer to James 4. Morning Chronicle, 2 November 5. Ibid, 30 January 1893 1837–16 August 1838, page 157 Consultants Ltd, August 1961 2. Ibid, [2] and 4 July 1706 Farrer, 11 July 1730 42 1832 6. See 1, John Betjeman to F. A. Hoare, 2. HB/10/F/5/2, Report on comput- 6. Ibid 3. Daily Courant, 15 November 1718 3 February 1962 2. HFM/1/2, Receipted tradesmen’s 1. Anon, The Black Day or A Prospect of 45 erisation by Mr Smith of Coutts’ 5. Aberdeen Journal, 12 December 1832 bills re the Hoare family: Wm Male 7. See 2, 12 February 1894 Doomsday. Exemplified in the great and 4. HB/2/A/2, Articles of partnership, 7. HFM/42/A/18, F. A. Hoare’s diary as 1. Newes Published for Satisfaction and Bank, February 1967 6. Morning Post, 14 November 1832 to Richard Hoare, May 1732 8. See 4, 5 March 1894 terrible Eclipse, which will happen on 22 July 1732 Lord Mayor, 1961–62 Information of the People, 3 August 1665 7. Morning Chronicle, 20 May 1833 Friday the 22d of April, 1715, etc, printed 5. John Soame MD, Hampstead-Wells 3. HB/5/A/6, Partnership ledger: 9. HFM/36/13, Diary re visit to Egypt 21 Christopher Arnold’s private acct, and sold by J. Read in White-Fryers, 2. John Scott,The Plague and Fire of (1734), page 26 by Harry Hoare, December 1932 London, described by an Eye-witness 1. London Chronicle, 10 March 1789 24 34 26 March 1745 and R. Burleigh in Amen-Corner, 6. Ibid, pages 26–27 page 11 (1832), page 37 2. The Journal of Mary Frampton, from 1. HB/5/H/1, Money Lent 1. Financial Times, 1 August 1914 4. Daily Post, 17 April 1731 40 7. Gentleman’s Magazine, January 1791 2. William Whiston, A Calculation of 3. London Gazette, 3–10 September the Year 1779 until the Year 1846 etc, ed ledger: ‘To Mr Marcus Moses for 2. HB/7/B/2, File re effect of war on 5. Daily Advertiser, 12 June 1754 1. W. Phillips, The Economy of an the Great Eclipse of the Sun, April 22d 1666 by H.G. Mundy (1885), page 21 money Laid out in Diamonds in 8. Morning Post and Daily Advertiser, banking procedures, 1914: circular re 6. HFM/7/20, Handwritten account Institution established in Spitalfields, 1715 in ye Morning, from Mr Flamsteed’s 4. John Rushworth, Historical Partnership,’ 9 June 1709 1 April 1776 Foreign Exchange, 17 August 1914 3. Constance Hill, Fanny Burney at the of a journey through France in 1748, London, for the purpose of supplying the Tables; as corrected according to Sr Collections, 1721, vol.II, page 111 Court of Queen Charlotte (1912), page 2. HFM/2/14, Correspondence etc re Poor with a Good Meat Soup etc (1799) 3. HB/9/G/6/1, ‘Random recollections by William Mildmay Isaac Newton’s Theory of ye Moon in TNA, PROB 4/10489 281 Thomas Hoare, 1708–15 29 5. of Hoare’s bank’ (handwritten) by 7. HFM/12/4, Family letters to 2. William Allen, The Philanthropist: ye Astronomical Lectures; with its 1. Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post, 4. Public Advertiser, 28 June 1764 3. HB/1/12, Sir Richard Hoare Richard Rawlinson, compiled 1939 Henry Hugh Hoare: Mary Hoare, Or, Repository for Hints and Suggestions Construction for London Rome and Kt’s correspondence with Walter 2 December 1824 Calculated to Promote the Comfort and 46 5. Journal of Mary Frampton, page 23 4. HB/2/E/3, Partners’ memoranda 19 November 1784 Stockholme. Engrav’d and sold by John Beckhoff re diamond trading, 2. Morning Post, 6 December 1824 Happiness of Man (1812), vol.2, page Senex at ye Globe in Salisbury Court 1. HFM/21/8 Correspondence, Peter 6. The Times, 28 May 1789 book: September 1914 8. Frances A.B. Edgeworth, A Memoir 1712–17 174 near Fleet Street. And Will: Taylor at Richard Hoare (jnr) and his son 3. Morning Chronicle, 16 December of Maria Edgeworth: with a selection of 7. Philip Mansel, Dressed to Rule: 4. HB/1/15, Letters to Richard Hoare 5. HB/2/D/1: Partnership correspond- 3. LMA, COL/CHD/PR/03/016, Soup ye Ship in Paternoster Row Charles: letters from Charles, 2 & 1824 her letters (1867), vol.1, page 41 Royal and Court Costume from Louis XIV from Philip Masson re diamond ence: Brian Cockayne to Algernon 16 June 1866 4. Ibid, 6 December 1824 for distressed artificers and others in 3. Royal Society, Philosophical to Elizabeth II (2005), page 60 dealing, 1713–17 Strickland, 29 February 1916 9. Star, 19 January 1791 Clerkenwell, 1798 2. Ibid, Letters from Peter Richard 5. Morning Post, 2 December 1824 Transactions, 1714–16, 245–262 8. World, 2 June 1790 5. HB/1/16, Misc papers re diamonds 6. Ibid, Harry Hoare (draft) to Peter 10. Morning Post & Gazetteer, 4. The Times, 23 March 1798 Hoare (jnr) to Charles and Margaret 4. Ibid Hoare, July-December 1872, n.d. 9. The Times, 4 June 1789 etc: Bond by Marcus Moses to Hoare, 19 April 1915 6 February 1800 30 5. Ibid, 27 November 1816 5. William Whiston, Memoirs of the Benjamin Hoare, 1728 11. Wm Felton, The Supplement to the 3. HFM/22/D/4 Receipts etc re 10. Bath Chronicle, 11 June 1789 7. Ibid, Peter Hoare to Edward H. Hoare, 6. Ibid, 24 March 1837 Life and Writings of Mr William Whiston 1. HB/8/T/11, Incoming letters from Treatise on Carriages: comprehending Charles Hoare’s yachting expenses, 11. World, 29 June 1789 1 October 1914 (1749), vol.1, page 239 25 customers etc, Rev William Cooke, all the necessary repairs; the mode and 7. Charity & Food Report of the Special 1879 12. Ibid, 12 September 1791 20 January 1769 8. HB/8/T/11, Incoming letters from Committee of the Charity Organisation 6. Scots Magazine, 6 May 1748 1. Narrative of the Surveying Voyages terms for hiring; with instructions how 4. Ibid, Letter John W. G. Spicer to customers etc, letter written at Port Said, Society upon Soup Kitchens, Children’s 13. Whitehall Evening Post, 28–31 May of His Majesty’s Ships Adventure and 2. Old Bailey Sessions: Justices’ to preserve and purchase all kinds of 7. William Whiston, The Calculation of Charles Hoare, 8 June 1879 Egypt, 22 December 1915 Breakfasts and Dinners and Cheap Food 1796 Beagle etc, Proceedings of the Second Working Documents, 27 April carriages and harness etc (1796), pages Solar Eclipses without Parallexes (1724), 5. Portsmouth Evening News, 29 July Supply, November 1887 Expedition, 1831–36, under the command 1789, London Lives, 1690–1800, 9. HB/2/E/3, Partners’ memoranda 103–105 page 78 1880 8. Ibid 22 of Captain Robert FitzRoy RN (1839), LMOBPS450370255, www.london- book: 5 April 1916 8. Daily Post, 4 January 1742 page 274 lives.org version 1.1, April 2012, 9. LMA, A/FWA/C/028/002, The Complete 10. Ibid, 4 April 1917 38 47 1. J. Fairfax Esq, London Metropolitan Archives 2. Charles Darwin’s Beagle Diary, ed by Middlesex Soup and Dinner Kitchen Sportsman; or, the Town and Country 11. Ibid, 5 April 1920 1. HFM/36/3, Correspondence 43 1. Philip W. Matthews, The Bankers’ R.D. Keynes (1988), page 148 3. HB/5/H/7, Money Lent ledger, (case 430) vol.2, 1870–76 gentleman’s recreation (1795), page 302 between Harry Hoare and his 1. West Middlesex Advertiser & Family Clearing House, what it is and what it does 1783–1805: Profit & Loss account 10. Surrey Mirror, 22 January 1881 2. Stourhead House, Wiltshire, 3. HB/8/T/11, Incoming letters from 35 siblings: Beatrice Hollond to Harry, Journal, 20 July 1867 (1921) Annals of Stourhead kept by Richard customers etc, Robert FitzRoy to 4. HB/2/E/1, Partners’ memoranda 6 November 1885 2. Ibid book, 15 February 1799 1. PW/2, Intelligence reports etc re 2. Sheffield Independent, 7 November Colt Hoare, 1798–1813 Henry Hugh Hoare, 30 November 2. HFM/34/11, Letters and papers 41 Jacobite forces, 1745, n.d. 1868 3. Ibid 1833 re Percy Hoare: Percy to Beatrice 1. HFM/7/13, Sir Richard Hoare KT’s 3. HE/2/B/45, Bond, Richard Brewer 3. Leicester Chronicle, 12 September 4. Bankers’ Almanack, 1908 of Boreham, Essex, to Benjamin 4. Narrative of the Surveying Voyages, 31 2. Derby Mercury, 27 September 1745 Hoare, 29 February 1880 private account book, 1731–51 page 361 1868 5. The Financial Times, 14 November Hoare, 1 August 1740 1. WSHC, Ailesbury papers, 3. Newcastle Courant, 17 September 1745 3. HFM/36/2, Correspondence 2. London Daily Post and General 1300/2094 4. Chelsea News and General Advertiser, 1906 4. HMF/12/5, Letters and papers re between Harry Hoare and his mother Advertiser, 10 October 1739 4. PW/1, Correspondence re Jacobite 12 September 1868 6. HB/9/G/5/2, Papers of Henry John management of Henry Hugh Hoare’s 26 2. London Chronicle, 17 January 1788 Beatrice Hoare: Beatrice to Harry 3. WSHC, Stourhead papers, Uprising, 1745–49 5. Reynold’s Newspaper, 6 September Tilden, 1920s-30s estates, 1793–1839 1. Morning Chronicle, 27 September 3. Sun, 9 April 1793 [2?] May 1880 9/35/165/1423 1845 5. See 1. 1868 5. Mirror of Parliament, October- 4. WSHC, Ailesbury papers, 4. Ibid, 27 October 1885 4. HFM/8/4, Henry Hoare jnr’s 6. See 4, General Wade to Roger 6. Ibid 48 December 1830, page 437 2. HFM/34/21, Caroline Hoare’s 1300/3221 5. Ibid, 10 August 1895 private accounts, 1775–84 journals: May-June 1861 Handsyd, 19 November 1745 7. The Times, 14 November 1868 1. The Times, 25 April 1864 6. Farmer’s Magazine, January-June 5. Ibid, 1300/3210 6. See 1, Beatrice Hollond to Harry 5. HFM/8/5, Bills/receipts re Henry 3. Morning Chronicle, 13 July 1861 7. LMA, COL/SJ/27/357, List of Hoare jnr’s private expenditure: bill 8. Daily News, 18 November 1868 2. Ibid, 7 February 1860 1869, page 290 6. Ibid, 1300/4215 Hoare, 6 November 1885 4. The Times, 15 July 1861 subscribers to the Guildhall Fund, 1745 from Mayhew & Ince, 1777 3. Ibid, 8 May 1864 7. The Times, 30 November 1868 7. Ibid 7. Ibid, 10 February 1886 8. Ibid, Minutes re Guildhall Fund, 6. HB/5/Z/5, Record by Henry 44 4. Ibid, 17 June 1864 8. HFM/36/27, Harry Hoare’s pocket 5. HB/9/F/3/2, Cricket Club AGM 8. Ibid, 1300/5158A 8. Ibid, 27 January 1886 Hoare jnr of loans to various individ- game register, 1887 minutes, 1961–99 15 December 1745 1. HB/8/T/11, Incoming letters from 5. Ibid, 18 December 1789 9. Ibid, 1300/5160A 9. Timaru Herald, vol.LIII, Issue uals, 1783 customers etc, Sir Thomas Gooch Bt, 9. HFM/21/16, Letters to Peter 9. Whitehall Evening Post or London 6. Ibid, 1 April 1799 10. Ibid, 1300/5159B 5276, 29 October 1891. See www. 7. HB/8/T/20, Letters and papers re 2 April 1815 Richard Hoare jnr from Charles 27 Intelligencer, 10 October 1754 paperspast.natlib.govt.nz Capt Daniel Griffiths Hoare’s loan: 7. Ibid, 10 October 1804 Fletcher, 1860–71 1. Daily Courant, 7 September 1714 2. Ibid, Henry Majendie, Bishop of 10. HB/2/D/1, Partnership corre- Griffiths Hoare to Henry Hoare jnr, 8. Ibid, 3 June 1864 2. Ibid, 16 September 1714 32 36 Bangor, 4 May 1815 10. HFM/21/31, Copy letter Peter spondence, 2 December 1891 1 January 1774 9. Ibid, 1 March 1865 Richard Hoare jnr to Charles 3. Flying Post or The Post Master, 1. HFM/34/21, Caroline Hoare’s 1. John Tidd Pratt, The History of Savings 3. Ibid, Sir Thomas Gooch Bt, 27 July 11. See 1, Fred Hoare to Harry 8. HB/8/T/19, Letters to Henry Fletcher, c.1871 14–16 September 1714 journals: 9 June 1865 Banks in England, Wales and Ireland (1830), 1815 Hoare, 19 November 1894 Hoare jnr from Peter Desbrosses: 11. British Association for Shooting 4. RN/8/28, Misc papers re the 2. Liverpool Mercury, 13 June 1865 pages xxi-xxii 2 May 1781 4. Ibid, John Warren, 16 August 1815 12. Ibid, 4 September 1894 & Conservation survey, 2013 attendance of Charity School chil- 3. The Times, 12 June 1865 2. SHC, 6781/5/1, Mitcham Savings’ 9. HB/8/T/11, Incoming letters 5. Sussex Advertiser, 26 June 1815 dren at St Paul’s, 1714 Bank Minute Book, 20 October 1821 from customers etc, Letter to Henry 6. Morning Post, 29 June 1815 23 39 5. The Diary of Ralph Thoresby 1674–1724 33 3. Ibid, 22 January 1828 Hoare jnr from Francis Griesdale, 7. Northampton Mercury, 29 July 1815 1. Jane Austen’s Letters, ed by Deirdre (1830), pages 260–262 1. HFM/42/A/37, Papers re the 1. Leeds Mercury, 24 January 1893 28 July 1778 4. Samuel Smiles, Thrift (1875), pages 8. Caledonian Mercury, 29 June 1815 Le Faye (1995), page 277 6. Flying Post, 23–25 September 1714 City of London Arts Festival: letter, 2. HFM/36/2, Correspondence 10. Ibid, 28 December 1778 140–141 9. Ibid, 20 June 1816 2. The Life and Letters of Maria 7. HFM/9/10, Letters from Henry F. A. Hoare to the Goldsmiths’ Co., between Harry Hoare and his mother 11. HFM/12/4, Family letters to Edgeworth, ed by Augustus J. C. Hare Hoare to family members: letter to 15 February 1962 5. Stamford Mercury, 30 May 1845 Beatrice Hoare, 9 November 1892 Henry Hugh Hoare: Mary Hoare, 10. Oxford Journal, 22 June 1816 (1971), vol.1, 13 October 1814 his nephew Richard, [c.1755] 2. The Times, 10 July 1962 6. Ibid 3. Ibid, 16 December 1892 19 November [1784] 11. The Times, 13 June 1817

[ 134 ] [ 135 ] Published 2018 by C. Hoare & Co. 37 Fleet Street, London EC4P 4DQ www.hoaresbank.co.uk Copyright © Pamela Hunter and C. Hoare & Co. 2018 Photography by Matthew Hollow Photography Designed and typeset in MVB Verdigris by Dalrymple Printed in Belgium on Symbol Tatami White 135gsm by Albe De Coker Front cover and endpapers: original binding and marbled endpapers from Messrs Hoare’s Daily Cash Book, December 1762–October 1763 Back cover image: The museum at C. Hoare & Co. Watercolour by Marianne Topham, 1994 Image credits All images courtesy of C. Hoare & Co. unless otherwise stated. Pages 11 and 38: National Portrait Gallery, London Pages 25 and 103: London Metropolitan Archives (City of London) Page 31: Parliamentary Art Collection Page 32, National Trust Images/John Hammond Page 40: National Trust Images Page 57: Abbotsford Trust Page 60: Greenwich Hospital Page 80: The National Archives Page 128: Private collection

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