SKETCHES OF THE MOST FAMOUS FRAUDS AND FORGERIES ON THE BANK OF ENGLAND.

Dunstan Times, Issue 585, 4 July 1873, Page 3

SKETCHES OF THE MOST FAMOUS FRAUDS AND FORGERIES ON THE BANK OF ENGLAND.

—o — The recent forgeries on the Rank of England render the following extract from a Cincinatti journal interesting:—“ The Rank or England was founded in 1091. For sixty four years after its establishment the Institution enjoyed a happy imnnuii'y from forgeries, and to Richard Vaughan, a Stafford linondraper, belongs the unenviable fa ae of its first forger. Richard does not appear to have been a bad Sort of fellow ; indeed his general character was above reproach. Ho was so unfortunate, however, as to bo in love with a pretty girl, who liked him much, but money more. She could not be persuaded to marry a poor man, so the devoted swain counterfeited with indifferent success, some 1,0001. in bank notes, and deposited them with his lady-love as evidence of his wealth. The marriage followed shortly thereafter ; but the success of the honeymoon was somewhat maxted by the hanging of Richard : and even the bills were not left for the consolation of the widow. The example thus set was briskly followed, and for many years thereafter the Bank inspectors were tried to their utmost to prevent the counterfeited notes from imposing even upon themselves. In I7SO the Bank found itself in possession of a large number of forged notes, so perfect in all their parts, even to the supposed invulnerable Water-mark, that their falseness was hardly to be delected, save by the duplicate numbers. The most skilful dele Dives, inspired by plenteous offers of * blood money 7 ,’ failed in every attempt at discovery, The bills were easily traceable for a certain distance, but in each case brought up finally at some ono of the numerous lottery offices then in vogue, and there baffled further pursuit. For many months the Bank continued a victim to this prince of counterfeiters, until at last the merest accident led to the discovery of one Charles Price, who manufacturing his own paper, tools, and inks, and doing his own engraving, and aided by bis mistress, bis own Circulating, had baffled the most searching investigation. The affection and watchfulness of the partner of his crime enabled him to avoid the first descent of the officers, but their toils were too close for escape, and [soon thereafter Mr. Price played the last role of an English suicide ornamenting the four corners of an English cro:s*roadr,