Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/280

 "Then it was a blessing you were not here. You see, for years now Selwyn's Bank has been in an unsatisfactory position, steadily growing worse. It became an old-fogey institution, falling more and more to the rear in the procession."

"Curiously enough, Corbitt, I heard that same criticism made of our bank shortly before I left England."

"Whoever made it, knew what he was talking about. Selwyn's was the bank of the country gentlemen, presided over by Sir George, a country gentleman, for the benefit of country gentlemen. We lent money on landed property, which, as you know, cannot be turned quickly into cash if there is an urgent need for money. For years I have protested against this, wishing to do business with the City, rather than with the country, but Sir George, being very conservative, distrusting the Stock Exchange and all its works, would never give his consent to our catering for commercial business. He was always suspicious of stocks and shares, but sound securities that have a quotable value in the market are much better to deal with than mortgages on estates. I predicted disaster, and disaster came."

"Disaster? In what way?"