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24 specimen of those of the last few years—that for the last week of 1869:—

An account pursuant to the Act 7th and 8th Victoria, cap. 32, for the week ending on Wednesday, the 29th day of December, 1869.

Up till 1903 the Bank had taken advantage of its power to increase the fiduciary issue, but since then the powers of issue of the provincial joint stock banks have been reduced from £1,183,426 to £94,421, and of the private banks from £767,788 to £334,615 without any increase in the Bank of England's authorised issue against securities.

The Bank of England's Return for the week ended Dec. 31st, 1913, stood thus:—