A BANK NOT TO BE IMITATED.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 418, 14 October 1875, Page 3

A BANK NOT TO BE IMITATED.

Upwards of fifty years ago, George Cruikshank says, there were “one-pound” Bank of England notes in circulation, and there were at the same time many forged onepound Bank of England notes in circulation also. The punishment of forging these was death. At this period I resided in Salisbury square, Fleet street, and having occasion to go early one morning to the Royal Exchange, upon my return between eight and nine o’clock, I passed down Ludgatc Hill, and looking towards the Old Bailey, I saw a crowd surrounding a gibbet, on which were suspended among other criminals two females, who were executed for passing one-pound forged notes. I was much shocked, and reflecting upon the number of persons who were put to death for this offence, I determined, if possible, to put a stop to so terrible a punishment for such a crime ; and upon my return home ten minutes after I made a sketch and etching of it. Mr Hone, then of Ludgatc Hill, published it, and when it appeared it created a sensation. The crowd round Hone’s shop was so great that the Lord Mayor had to send the police to clear the street. To show what a little touch of art may be, the issue of my “ Bank-note not be Imitated” not only put a stop to the issue of any more Bank of England onepound notes, but also put a stop to the punishment of death for such an offence and then the late Sir Robert Peel revised the the Penal Code—so that the final effect of my note was to stop hanging for all minor offences.