CHAP. X.
THE SAVINGS BANK.
This laudable institution commenced on the 16th of February, 1818, under the patronage of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, the Hon. J. B. Simpson, A. H. Eyre, Esq. John Kirke, Esq. the Rev. Archdeadcon Eyre, and others; Treasurers, Messrs. Sir W. B. Cooke, Bart., Childers, Foljambe, and Parker; Secretary, John Mee, Esq.; and Clerk, Mr. Aldn. Thornton; this latter situation being the only one whence any profit or pecuniary remuneration is derived.
Deposits of one shilling and upwards are received, (and bear interest as soon as they amount to twelve shillings and sixpence,) at the house of Mr. Thornton, in the Square, every monday morning from tea to twelve o’clock.
A few years after its commencement, the directors found that the purposes for which the bank was established, were considerably abused, by persons investing money therein to a large amount, from mercenary motives, whose stations in society did not entitle them to do so: a resolution therefore was agreed upon, that no person should deposit any sum or sums exceeding £50 in the whole, in the first year; or exceeding £30 in the whole, exclusive of interest, in any subsequent year: nor should any person deposit any sum whatever which shall make the sum to which the depositor is entitled £200 in the whole, exclusive of interest:
At the last annual audit, in November, 1827, the number of depositors amounted to 833, and the amount by them deposited to £33373. 2s. 7d. making a trifling decrease during the year; yet if we take into consideration the low ebb of agricultural affairs, and consequently the general depression of trade, no cause need be apprehended of any serious decay in the interests of the institution.
MR. HOLMES’S ROOM.
I have deemed it proper to give the following description of a building, which, although private property, is not only deserving of notice, but well worthy the attention of every person whose taste may lead them to admire the works of antiquity.
John Holmes, Esq. an old inhabitant of East Retford, has erected on the premises adjoining to his house, a Gothic building which he occasionally uses as an auxiliary library, or summer reading room. It has windows looking east, west, and south, which are enriched with painted glass. The south windows contain several portions of the scripture history of Joseph, in ancient glass, brought from the Continent to England during the time of the irruption of the French armies into many European states, several other portions whereof had been buried for safety, and were thus destroyed. The eastern lancet windows were constructed under Mr. Holmes’s directions from models in the chapel at Bishop Aukland; and the great western window was executed by that ingenious artist, Mr. Miller, of Regent Street, (London,) upon plans suggested by the proprietor. The interior of the library is wholly composed of very ancient carved oak, brought from distant places, and forms a rich storehouse of interesting materials, well preserved from decay, and arranged in a method harm6nizing with a building supposed to be erected in early times. The book-stands, tables, desks, chairs, and other furniture, exactly correspond. The room is about ten yards long, and is much visited by the curious.
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