On Saturday, and on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday last, there
was a run on the Birkbeck Bank, of Southampton Buildings,—a perfectly sound institution, but one liable to such a danger, owing to the number of small and timid de- positors. The directors had been on the alert for several days, owing to the suspension of payment of the London and General Bank and of the Liberator Building Society, and were thus prepared for the run when it took place. The bank wisely did everything in its power to facilitate the paying-out of deposits, and on Monday the building was kept open till 10 at night, the crowds never ceasing to stream in, clamouring for their money. This, however, obliged the clerks to remain at work till 4, and owing to the expected rush for next day, to begin work again at 6, on Tuesday morning,—a rest of only two hours. Naturally enough, this could not go on, and after Monday the bank was only open from 10 till 4. We have dealt with the chief aspects of the panic elsewhere, and will only add here that the bank, which has £5,674,713 in deposits, would, after meeting all its liabilities in full, still possess £321,059. On Thursday the panic had practically come to an end, and in all probability most of the withdrawn deposits, exceeding, it is said, a million sterling, will be paid back in a few days' time. Meantime the Bank has had a huge advertisement.
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