"THE GOLDEN BOTTLE"

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 58, 9 March 1923, Page 10

"THE GOLDEN BOTTLE"

RECORDS AND MEMORIES OF A FAMOUS LONDON BANK TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES OF CITY BUSINESS. ■ Quite an interesting anniversary was kept in Fleet street, London, on 12th January, when through banking hours and after the partners of Messrs. C. Hoare and Co. were receiving congratulations. ' It was their 250 th birthday. ■ Hoare's Bank is of that age, and may be a. bit more, but the hoase is content to find its baptismal certificate in its earliest surviving ledger, and therein the first entry: bears the date 12th January, 1673. 'Four years later we know from the "Little London Directory," itself published in -1677, that James Hoare, a goldsmith, Was keeping "running cashes" at the sign of the Golden Bottle in Cheapside. They were the banking accounts of those days—the expedient by which the London merchant who did not care to keep much store of gold in bags in his counting house, as most did, had the money available • at a goldsmith's upon which he could draw.

Much has changed in banking practice since then. But through all the two and a half centuries there- have been lioares as partners in the house, direct descendants ■of the ancestral bankers, and there are five of the family as partners to-day. It is a proud record. That first entry in the ledger was doubtless made while James Hoare kept his goldsmith's shop' in Cheapside. It was later, in 1701-2, tl)at the sign of the Golden Bottle was transferred to Fleet street, where still it shows above the doorway of Hoare's Bank, for parish records make plain that in 1700 Sir Richard Hoare, then head of the family, was of Cheapside. Three years later he figures as a banker of the parish of St. Dunstanin the West. His first premises were the central one of three houses fronting upon Fleet street, having Cat and Fiddle court at the side, and the court so queerly named gave entrance to the famous Mitre Tavern in Fleet street. The banking business has in time swallowed up nil three houses, and Cat and Fiddle court, r.nd the Mitre Tavern-itself.

Don't, doubt that the Mitre of Fleet street wns a famous tavern, says Walter G. Bell, in the "Daily Telegraph." It is syjotied over Boswell's pages, and was obviously Dr.' Johnson's favourite resort It was there that Johnson bludgeoned a hapless Northern visitor, the Rev. Dr. Ogilvie, who was unlucky enor.gh to' open conversation with the praises of his native country, and its many noble wild prospects. "Johnson: I believe, sir, you have a great many. Norway, too, has noble wild prospects; and Lapland is remarkable for prodigious noble wild prospects. But, sir, let me tell you, the noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees is the high road that leads him to England!" At the Mitre Johnson and Boswell first met by appointment at supper, and sat till between one and two o'clock in the morning. "Give me your hand," said the Sage, "I have taken a liking to you." And as they parted, "Sir, I am glad we have met. I hope, we shall pass ■many evenings, and mornings, too, together." .There the tour in the Hebrides was planned. !/. ' "' ■■'"';' ,"";.•'. • Tlie Mitre stood back from Fleet street having a galleried courtyard—it liadtwo yards—and antiquaries have held' divided opinions whether in fact Hoare'a Bank incorporated Johnson's Mitre. There is nothing to argue about.- .Title deeds of the bank quite clearly set, out the acquisition of.the. Mitre, and the extension of the premises over Cat and Fiddle court, which now for-a .century past has been obliterated ,from Fleet street. If other testimony 'is wanted, there are subterranean cellars of the old Mitre Tavern to-day in use' as ■ strongrooms, and in one place still; existing a curious shaft ov funnel through which came down the bai'rels of ..wine, that served to enliven Sam Johnson's genial supper parties,' with Oliver Goldsmith and Reynolds, and many another. ■ .

The bank building that stands, today, dignified, if somewhat austere;'was erected in 1829, and is much'larger than appears from the street. . Its wings and rear premises stretch back to the Temple and enclose —wonder of wonders—a Fleet 'street garden. A tree there breaks, into leaf in the spring, and the.garden courjt, largely, payed, has .with its own charm. :that of complete .surprise.. Pepys banked with Hoare's in his later years, and testified his regard -for the senior partner by leaving to Sir Bichard Hoara a mouring Ting worth 20s. Lord ■ Arlington, King Charles ll.'s Secretary of State, was another customer at the "shop,", .which' also kept the accounts of the Duke of Somerset, and of a great lady, the Countess of Bath.' The Duke, who signed "Sommersat," made' calls at the bank and endorsed'at the foot of his account that he had agreed to the amount and that it was in order.

None should be frightened by the bank's external austerity from entering. It keeps to the • old ways. Ever since the business began it baa been the rule for-a partner.to sleep on the premises, and he does so still, coming down each morning at nine o'clock to unlock the doors. The Golden Bottle became No. 37. Fleet street, in the year 1770, when street numbering began, and at that time the ordinary dress of the bank clerk was black tail-coat, 'kr.ee breeches, silk stockings, shoes with silver buckles, and often a white tie. The clerks still wear the black coat and white tie, a tradition only broken temporarily during the' war, when newcomers entered the service, not having this veneration for old customs. At the right on. entering is the "shop" —the public . counters still make the shop—and to the right of that the parlour or counting-house; the old lay-out of a banker's business. A servitor at the entrance hall greets the customer as he would a guest, courteously inquiring his wishes, and the atmosphere of a bygone day, so .different from the rush and hustle of the modem joint-stock bank, quickly overcomes him, 1 fancy the bank fittings are largely a replica, of those in use in the eighteenth century, and in part have been brought from_ the earlier bank. Central in the public area is a great stove of at least a century's age, with draught and chimney carried under the floor. The Hoaro family have more than banking association with Fleet street. They have been great citizens, and have given to London two Lord Mayors. Over generations back always there has been a Hoare, among the churchwardens of St. Dunstan's. and Mr. Edward Hoare fills that office to-day. Sir Richard . Hoare was Alderman of Farringdon Without, Lord Mayor in 1745, and a. noble memorial of him is preserved in tile church opposite. It has the bust of the knight, in the great wig of the day. The inscription tells that in the alarming crisis of Bonnie Prince Charlie's rising that year he discharged the great trust reposed in him with honour and integrity. to the approbation of his Sovereisn and the universal satisfaction of his. fellowcitizenß. His uortait and those of many other ancestors aro .tn the l house, whioh preserves also a most interesting series of relics. Reminders of tumultuous days are the flint-lock muskets;'with bayonets, which, wei'e served out to tho clerks to

defend the premises in the Gordon Riots. These and their ammunition pouohes hang from a wall. The collection of old coins, all received in the course of business, is most curious.- Among them are great Spanish pieces of eight, worth at least £5 in metal, 7s gold pieces of the time of King George 111., 5-guinea pieces of Charles 11. and James 11., 2guioea pieces of George L. and George 11., spado-ffuineas, and £1 Bank of Enjrlanrl notes, indicating the wide variety of our historical coinage. But as curious as any is a half-crown piece issued by the Mint only last jear, and obviously is an unfinished 6tate. .having no millin/c on the edjres. This was received from the Bank of England in the ordinary way of business. It is not often that the Royal Mint makes a lapse. Early last century Hoara's sign was known as the "Leather Bottle," and a water-colour drawing of the bank by Shepherd has this description. But the historic title is "The Golden Bottle." The sign itself might stand for either, and it has been thought to represent the feather jack, with its cool draught of nut-brown ale, that James Hoare carried with him when he came to London to seek his fortune.