has been a
snare--the vulgar attempt to keep up appearances and impose on the
world--the recklessness and want of honour and principle which prevail
where we should least have expected it, in the middle classes, who, as
the heart and core of the nation, at times are apt to be too
indiscriminately eulogised. Last week an illustration of what we mean
occurred. It came out in evidence that a bankrupt had goods from a
London wholesale house, not for his legitimate trade, but merely that, by
their sale at less than cost price, funds might be provided for the
passing exigencies of the hour. These goods were not unpacked, but at
once sent up to a London auctioneer and sold. Nor, it seems, was this an
isolated case--the custom is a common one; it is but what takes place
every day. Again, a tradesman is in difficulties--he goes to his
principal creditor, who says, "Well you must not stop yet--you must try
and reduce my debt first,"--goods are ordered from Manchester or
Birmingham--and, perhaps without being unpacked, taken to the warehouse
of the London creditor--the tradesman then applies to the Bankruptcy
Court, and, as his books are well kept, a _sine qua non_ with the
Commissioners--and, as the principal creditor makes things as smooth as
possible, the man gets a first-class certificate and begins again. Bill
discounters tell you of the number of forged bills which pass through
their hands, and which are sure to be taken up when due. Even the oldest
and proudest firms are not free from shame. My readers need not that I
remind them of the conduct of Gurney, Overend, & Co. with reference to
the forged spelter warrants. A city lawyer, a man of considerable
practice and experience, once assured me he did not believe there was
such a thing as commercial morality--but we must hope that he had seen so
much of the dark side, as to forget that there was a bright side at all,
but that the true feeling in the city is not of the highest character is
evident if we recall the sympathy displayed toward the directors of the
Royal British Bank--and again exhibited in the case of Strachan and Sir
John Dean Paul, or remember the ridiculous manifestations of the
gentlemen of the Stock Exchange and Mincing Lane, of which Tom Sayers was
the embarrassed subject. How wide-spread was the delirium of the railway
mania--what rascalities have been laid bare by the bursting of some of
our insurance and other companies. Take that list just publ